JWCC trustees approve budget, strategic initiative investments for 2022 fiscal year

QUINCY — The John Wood Community College Board of Trustees approved a $16,199,429 balanced budget and adopted the college’s strategic master plan for the 2022 fiscal year during its regular meeting Wednesday. 

The budget includes a tuition and institutional fee freeze for the fifth straight year.

“Affordability and accessibility are vital for anyone seeking education, whether they are pursuing a degree or certificate, taking part in training for their career or by enrolling in a class for personal enrichment,” JWCC President Michael Elbe said in a prepared statement. “Our mission is to make those opportunities as accessible as possible, especially the cost, because individuals who access education at every stage in life help themselves, their communities and our region’s economic prosperity.”

The 2022 budget is $208,424 higher than last year to support strategic plan initiatives, enrollment priorities and college contractual obligations.

Elbe highlighted two initiatives in the strategic master plan: the Missouri Career Scholarship and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee to be led by the college president as an institutional priority. 

With feedback from community forums and business and industry partners, JWCC continues to make investments in initiatives to expand and recruit Missouri high school and adult students to help fill the local workforce needs. 

“The JWCC Missouri Career Scholarship is to encourage more students in neighboring Missouri counties to enter high-demand, head-of-household occupations,” Elbe said. “The scholarship is specifically for career and technical programs such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, logistics and healthcare to assist our regional economy.” 

The DEI committee consists of the president, staff, faculty and student representation. 

“We know having varied perspectives helps generate better ideas to solve the complex problems of a changing and increasingly diverse world,” Elbe said.

In other business, the board:

• Authorized submission of a $500,000 to $2 million dollar grant application to the USDA for Rural Innovation Strong Economy Grant.  Funds would support the creation of a business incubator at the JWCC Southeast Education Center in Pittsfield.
• Authorized submission of a $230,000 grant application to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Entrepreneurial for the Small Business Community Navigation Grant. 
• Approved payment of $4,028 first installment dues to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association.
• Approved adoption of the college standing committees.  

The next regular meeting of the JWCC Board of Trustees is Aug. 18 at JWCC’s Agricultural Education Center, 37803 State Highway 104, Baylis, IL 62314.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: JWCC provided the information for this report. JRG