View recaps from this year's board of trustee meetings (beginning with the July 2025 meeting). Select a month below to view that meeting's recap.
- Oct. 21, Tues. 2025* — board meeting recap
- Nov. 13, 2025** — board meeting recap
- Dec. 11, 2025** — board meeting recap
** Meetings scheduled for the third Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Sandburg boardroom (E200),
Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg, IL.
*** Scheduled to accommodate the 20-day review on tax levies.
September 2025 board meeting recap
Here are some items of note from the Sandburg board of trustees meeting that took place Sept. 25. View the complete agenda.
$25K grant toward development of education program
Trustees accepted a $25,720 grant from the Galesburg Community Foundation. The award supports the development of an education program at the college to train future teachers and early childhood educators. Sandburg will also host community networking and training events to connect students to the program and provide professional development for regional educators.
Contractually obligated
The board accepted a bid from Dewberry Engineers to conduct a comprehensive electric feasibility study and energy audit. Funding for the study and audit will come from the Operations & Maintenance Restricted (protection, health and safety) Fund.
Faculty member granted tenure; non-tenure faculty contracts renewed
The board approved the recommendation to grant tenure to dental hygiene instructor Reghan Merry, effective with the spring 2026 semester. Trustees also approved contract renewals for Amy Kaufmann (radiologic technology) and Leah Knowles (nursing) as non-tenured faculty through the fall 2026 semester.Anderson appointed treasurer
The board appointed Leslie Anderson, VP of business & finance/CFO, as treasurer for the college.
Expense management software
Trustees approved the use of Ramp as an expense management software. The program is expected to provide more operational efficiency, greater financial transparency and increased security.
RAMP project submitted
The board voted to submit the Resource Allocation Management Plan (RAMP) to the Illinois Community College Board for sidewalk replacement and refurbishment on the Galesburg campus. The requested project, which requires approval from the state for funding, would replace the asphalt sidewalks in front of buildings C, D, E and F with concrete.
Comings and goings
The following personnel moves were approved:
- Employment of Megan Robbins as full-time education faculty, effective Aug. 14.
- Employment of Andrew Vanwinkle as building maintenance, effective Aug. 16.
- Employment of Jezhabeth Villegas as data & information specialist, effective Aug. 16.
- Resignation of Sydney Eklund as student success advocate, effective Aug. 22.
- Resignation of Sarah Morrison as student success advocate, effective Aug. 29.
- Resignation of Krista Skien as director of the Carthage campus, effective Aug. 22.
Next regular monthly meeting
5:30 p.m. / Oct. 21 / Galesburg campus
August 2025 board meeting recap
Here are some items of note from the Sandburg board of trustees meeting that took place Aug. 27. View the complete agenda.
I do solemnly swear…
Connor McLauchlan was sworn in as the student trustee for 2025-26, and Krista Winters took the oath of office as the faculty representative to the board for the current academic year.
Charger Center update
Legat Architects gave an informational presentation on the design process and schedule of the Charger Center. Construction on the new athletic and conference center is anticipated to be completed in the 2027 fall semester.
That’s our policy.
The board approved revisions to several policies. The policies concern:
- Hazing (2.62)
- Degrees & certificates (3.11)
- Grading (3.12)
- Honors (3.13)
- Academic classification (3.14)
- Discipline (3.16)
- Financial assistance (3.19)
- Credit hour (3.20)
- Institutional review board (3.24)
- Recruiting veterans (3.25)
- Academic integrity (3.26)
Grant for simulation/skills lab in Carthage
Trustees accepted a $2,500 grant from the Community Foundation Serving Western Illinois and Northeast Missouri. The award will support the purchase of a new hospital bed for the simulation/skills lab at the Carthage campus. The Quincy-based foundation has previously awarded the college grants to support the Carthage resource room and the expansion of the nursing program at the Carthage campus.
Anderson appointed treasurer
The board appointed Leslie Anderson, VP of business & finance/CFO, as treasurer for the college.
Expense management software
Trustees approved the use of Ramp as an expense management software. The program is expected to provide more operational efficiency, greater financial transparency and increased security.
RAMP project submitted
The board voted to submit the Resource Allocation Management Plan (RAMP) to the Illinois Community College Board for sidewalk replacement and refurbishment on the Galesburg campus. The requested project, which requires approval from the state for funding, would replace the asphalt sidewalks in front of buildings C, D, E and F with concrete.
Comings and goings
The following personnel moves were approved:
- Employment of Megan Robbins as full-time education faculty, effective Aug. 14.
- Employment of Andrew Vanwinkle as building maintenance, effective Aug. 16.
- Employment of Jezhabeth Villegas as data & information specialist, effective Aug. 16.
- Resignation of Sydney Eklund as student success advocate, effective Aug. 22.
- Resignation of Sarah Morrison as student success advocate, effective Aug. 29.
- Resignation of Krista Skien as director of the Carthage campus, effective Aug. 22.
Presidential salary
Following an annual review of President Dr. Seamus Reilly, the board approved a 5% increase in his base salary, effective July 1, 2025.
Next regular monthly meeting
5:30 p.m. / Sept. 25 / Galesburg campus
July 2025 board meeting recap
Here are some items of note from the Sandburg board of trustees meeting that took place July 24. View the complete agenda.
That’s our policy.
The board approved revisions to Policy 3.1 and Policies 3.3-3.10. The policies concern:
- Advisory committees (3.1)
- Curriculum development (3.3)
- First Amendment guarantees (3.4)
- Student records (3.5)
- Student governance/student clubs (3.6)
- Admissions (3.7)
- Attendance (3.8)
- Prior learning (3.9)
- Transfer credits (3.10)
$1.8M grant for 518 Collective
Trustees approved the acceptance of a $1.8 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create an agriculture technology-focused incubator at the Annex. The incubator — known as the 518 Collective, pronounced “five-eighteen” and a nod to Sandburg District No. 518 — will provide physical workspace, business development services, workforce training's, mentorship and networking opportunities to help individuals and early-stage companies succeed. Sandburg was the only community college among the four grant recipients.
Program coordinator
The board approved Lindsey Smith as the nursing lab & simulation coordinator for the 2025-26 academic year.
Contractually obligated
Trustees approved a bid from River City Construction to install 17 automatic door-opening systems on the Galesburg campus and add a vestibule door at the north entrance of building B. Life Safety Protection funding will be used to support the project.
New student payment system
The board voted to implement the use of the Transact Integrated Student Payments Portal. The system features a unified payment portal with a single access point, multiple payment methods, real-time processing, seamless integration with existing systems, greater operational efficiency and increased security. The new system is expected to be deployed by Nov. 1, in time to accommodate spring semester payment processing.
Comings and goings
The following personnel moves were approved:
- Employment of Seth Austin as second shift custodian, effective Aug. 1.
- Employment of Jared Hawkinson as director of facility services, effective July 7.
- Employment of Valerie Hinderliter as coordinator of nursing & health professions, effective Aug. 1.
- Employment of Constance Lincoln as admissions & records support specialist, effective Aug. 1.
- Employment of Dustin Zimmerman as director of financial aid, effective Oct. 1.
Next regular monthly meeting
5:30 p.m. / Aug. 28 / Galesburg campus