In the final Northern Oklahoma College Board of Regents meeting of 2025, regents approved the reinstatement of competitive cheer at the Tonkawa and Enid campuses as an NJCAA intercollegiate sport beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.
President Diana Morris said the cheer squads will support athletic events, assist with campus and recruiting activities in the community, and have the opportunity to compete at the NJCAA level.
The regents also approved changes to six academic service fees for the 2026-27 academic year. Programs affected include nursing, fine arts and visual arts.
The financial report, presented by Vice President for Financial Affairs Anita Simpson, was approved. Simpson reported that NOC received $2.2 million from the Oklahoma State Legislature for deferred maintenance projects.
The board also approved two expenditures exceeding $25,000, including internet fiber and conduit installation to the Process Technology facility and the purchase of band risers and an acoustic shell for fine arts. The fiber installation will be funded through NASNTI funds, while the fine arts purchases will be funded through capital funds.
Regents approved the declaration of surplus property, including two tractors, a car, a golf cart and a mini-truck. The items will be sold through an online auction in January.
In administrator updates, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Shelly Mencacci reported that 18 students graduated from the nursing program at the fall pinning ceremony and that NOC Enid will host a planetarium show Dec. 18. She also noted that NOC is undergoing an academic program review to enhance the quality of academic offerings.
Vice President for Development and Community Relations Sheri Snyder reported that the NOC Foundation received a $30,000 gift to fund scholarships in Pre – Medicine, Nursing, Education, and Engineering, which will be available to students this spring.
Vice President for Enid Jeremy Hise shared photos from the Enid Day of Kindness, during which more than 150 NOC Enid student-athletes assisted with community projects. He also reported that demolition work at Failing Field is ongoing, with additional work expected to begin in January. Hise said he is hopeful that Jets softball will not be interrupted this spring, though contingency plans are in place if construction falls behind schedule.
Dr. Rick Edgington, Vice President for Enrollment Management, reported that Fall 2025 enrollment ended with a 1 percent increase in headcount compared to Fall 2024, while credit hour production remained the same. He said Spring 2026 enrollment is currently 8 percent higher in headcount and 6 percent higher in credit hour production compared to the same time last year.
Vice President for Stillwater Dr. Marsh Howard reported that NOC did not receive funding for a recently submitted TSET grant application but plans to resubmit the application in 2026.
Vice President for Student Affairs Jason Johnson addressed NOC’s concussion protocols for student-athletes Johnson said baseline concussion testing is conducted each August, with results stored in a database accessible to athletic trainers and coaches throughout the season.
“Our athletic department takes this very seriously,” Johnson said. “We have had a system in place to monitor our student-athletes for a number of years, and I feel good about where we are.”
President Morris provided updates on the NOC 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, highlighting ongoing work by campus committees, including installation of new washers and dryers in residence halls on both campuses, continued conversations with area feeder schools to increase scholarship opportunities for concurrent students, and NOC’s participation in the Oklahoma State Department of Education and OSRHE’s Joint Graduation Pathway Pilot Program.
The next regular NOC Board of Regents meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. in Tonkawa.
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 3,100 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
