The Galveston Community College District Board of Regents on Wednesday, April 10, appointed Mary R. Longoria of Galveston to fill the unexpired term of longtime Regent Florentino “Tino” Gonzalez, who died Jan. 22 following a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Regent Longoria received the oath of office from Carla Biggers, executive assistant to the president, with a crowd of well-wishers in attendance, including family members, friends and her students from the Ser y Hacer adult education citizenship and English language program, which she co-founded.

In other action, the board approved final design concepts for renovation of the student services area on the first floor of historic Moody Hall.

Funded by a Title V grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the renovation of key student services spaces is part of a multi-year initiative designed to improve student success, retention, persistence to graduation and transfer among Galveston College’s student population.

Dr. Myles Shelton, college president, said the concept, presented by PBK Architects of The Woodlands, Texas, features an open and welcoming design that infuses current technology with spaces for student study.

“Technology has changed dramatically since the last renovation of Moody Hall in 1991,” Dr. Shelton said. “It’s important for colleges to have learning and student services spaces that address the ever-evolving needs of our students and communities.”

The project will go to bid in the coming weeks and construction will take place during the summer months. During construction, the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid and Continuing Education will relocate to the Cheney Student Center. The project is scheduled for completion by the beginning of the fall semester.

In other business, the board:

  • approved the reappointment of full-time faculty for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
  • accepted and approved final payment to J.T. Vaughn Construction, LLC for the Mary Moody Northen Center window/curtain wall replacement project.
  • approved the 2020-2021 academic calendar.
  • nominated Regent Armin Cantini for service on the Community College Association of Texas Trustees Board of Directors for 2019-2021. Regent Raymond Lewis currently serves on the board as past president of the organization.
  • approved the purchase of computers for the testing center at a cost of $4,113.
  • accepted the resignation of Chase McGlinchey, instructor of Emergency Medical Services.

Above: Carla Biggers, executive assistant to the president, administers the oath of office to new Galveston College Regent Mary Longoria, as her husband, Dr. Abel Longoria, Board of Regents Chair Karen Flowers and Board of Regents Vice Chair Fred Raschke look on.