The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees meeting Monday focused on personnel, filling several new and replacement positions.
Trustees approved the appointment of KC’s Dean of Enrollment Services, Amy Troutt, to the college’s Vice President of Student Services position. She is replacing Dr. Susan Batchelor, who is retiring after twelve years with the college on June 30, 2022. Troutt also serves on the Salem City Council.
President George Evans spoke to Troutt’s qualifications:
“She has very strong leadership qualities when it comes to making decisions… she is what I call a ‘broken glass leader,’ which means individuals would crawl through broken glass to follow that person… I am very excited for her to take the next step, as she has really risen through the ranks here at the institution.”
Trustees also approved the appointment of Shawn Richards to Director of Public Safety, effective immediately, to replace retiring director Todd Wagner. Richards has over 25 years of experience as a law enforcement officer, a detective, and a field training officer. He retired from the Centralia Police Department before joining Kaskaskia College.
Retiring Salem High School Athletic Director Scott Steward was approved by the board for appointment to the KC Athletic Director position. Evans commented on the appointment:
“I’m excited for him to join the team. Realistically, it’s the first time the institution has committed to a full-time athletic director. Scott is so well respected in the community, and I think he’s going to do a very good job leading our team. I think he’s going to be a perfect fit for the KC family. I’m looking forward to learning from him as much as I hope he learns from us.”
The board also approved the promotion of Associate Dean of Workforce Engagement and Industrial Career Service Joy Fitts to Dean.
The board approved five new positions for the college, including:
- A restructured Information Technology position to the new position of Cyber Security Pathway Careers Program Developer
- An Industrial Trades and Manufacturing Program Coordinator
- An Apprenticeships Building America Cooperative Grant Coordinator, contingent upon grant funding.
- An Early Childhood Consortium Coach, contingent upon grant funding.
- A Full-Time Public Safety Security Officer
Additionally, the following personnel and faculty reappointment items were approved:
Employment:
- Maurya Gill – Human Resources Coordinator
- Rachel Burkhardt – Adult Education Bridge and ICAPS Coordinator
- Josie Lehde – Assistant Professor of Math
- Kevin McCarty – Assistant Professor of Theatre/Speech
- Kendall Kaskie – Retention and Online Student Success Coordinator
Resignation:
- Megan Barnett – Assistant Professor of Nursing
First-Year Faculty to Second-Year Faculty Status:
Arts and Sciences
- Lesley Brower
- Ryan Norrenberns
- Tim Wight
Nursing/Allied Health
- Kaylee Hilmes
- Amy Woltering
The board also accepted an in-kind gift of more than two hundred sheets of plastic laminate and particle boards from Robert Naumann of Lancia Brothers Woodworking from St. Louis, MO, for KC’s Carpentry Program. The total value of the gift is $23,162.
The next meeting of The KC board of trustees is scheduled for June 27, 2022.
