Meeting & Agendas

• Kerry Coombs • Andrea Hood • Amanda Schoolcraft • Leslie Sirmons • Johnny Faught • Libby Chow • Nicole Montanaro • Liliana Lara • Estrella Barrera • Nina Almasy • Robin Hoge • Tara Maxson • Elizabeth Warren • Jess Strobel • Dr. Otto • Dr. Wilding

Nominated to approve the agenda; Johnny moved the motion to approve; Leslie 2nd the motion; All in favor – agreed “I”

Nominated to approve the minutes from July 2022; Approved by Amanda; 2nd by Johnny; All in favor – agreed “I”

Dr. Coombs asked if there were any questions/concerns. **Number of apps received for program **Apps are down this year **Number of students … 20 (approx. 30 interviewed; 23 applied and qualified; 20 will be joining the fall cohort) **Going out to high school and participating in conferences w/tables (appreciate any help you can provide when going out into areas of the fields) **Ideal student… someone with a little bit of experience (out of high school they are not quite prepared) **Nicole – used as an example of an ideal student **Amanda – explained the challenges of those who didn’t have the experience. **Dr. Sirmons – adjunct since 2019 and she sees both sides of the spectrum (those who have challenges with basic tasks; but they bring them up to task; then there are some who still challenge **Johnny - how much marketing is done for this program. **They tend to reach out to those practicum sites and attend conferences but they still are able to market as they liked. **Estrella – is there a feeder **Elizabeth – Vet Asst is an apprenticeship. They start with her program for the experience and because they don’t have the pre-requisites. **Robin – Austin wild life rescue may have some experience and their Intro skills are above the shelter market. **Jess – have you reached out to Capital area from VMA? **Dr. Sirmons – she is experiencing these students have families and do not have time to complete the program and go toward the relief program. **LVT’s – are hard to get for an adjunct position. They are not interest in the hours. **Compensation (LEH is only .75 and it’s not enough for this position to be encouraging) is it worth it? **Need two adjuncts for two afternoons (in Elgin). Is it cost effective? **Another coordinator is in the process of being hired!!! **Johnny – real need is LVT on Wednesday’s; opportunity to train students in this field. A chance to contribute to vet medicine. **Jess – have you reached out to Capital area from VMA? **Dr. Sirmons – she is experiencing these students have families and do not have time to complete the program and go toward the relief program. **LVT’s – are hard to get for an adjunct position. They are not interest in the hours. **Compensation (LEH is only .75 and it’s not enough for this position to be encouraging) is it worth it? **Need two adjuncts for two afternoons (in Elgin). Is it cost effective? **Another coordinator is in the process of being hired!!! **Johnny – real need is LVT on Wednesday’s; opportunity to train students in this field. A chance to contribute to vet medicine.

a. Rabies vaccine - Rabies vaccine – required by the AVMA; provide ACC foundation helped to fund parts of this project, along with the Perkins grant. Advise students to look for the vaccine on their own; Jess – is there a way to wrap it into their tuition; Dr. Coombs – with the laws, Financial aid does not allow that. Dr. Otto – finding grants and programs that might fund the vaccine Johnny – firehouse and other entities might be willing to donate towards the vaccine b. VTNE pass rate - not where we want to be but not doing too bad. Dropping below 50% would affect our accreditation. They have them to purchase the vet tech prep and they are told they will refund the money but it’s not motivating enough for them to follow through. c. Update on Vet Tech Staff – Currently: Full-time LVT instructors = 2 Professional LVT tech = 1 A 2nd Professional LVT tech = being hired d. Incoming fall 2023 cohort - Incoming students – each have been met with Dr. Coombs and concerned with their lack of preparation. e. Completion cohort - August 4th @ 9am Everyone is welcomed at the ACC Elgin campus There are 9 students successfully finishing the program f. AVMA Report - We are still accredited and the next site visit is in 2026. Start getting ready in 2025 for the upcoming site visit. Dr. Otto – there are certain credit hours needed. They are no longer being adjusted by the state. For now, everything has remained the same. First year is tough because so much has to be crunched into the first semester.

Motion to adjourn at 7:42pm by Johnny; 2nd the motion by Dr. Otto; ALL agreed – “I”