2025-2026 MELA Minutes

Pearl River Community College

Ms. Michele Mitchell, Ms. Ali Mascagni

Southwest Mississippi Community College Mr. Matt Calhoun

MS Community College Board

Ms. Megan Akins, Dr. Krista LeBrun

Office

College/Association

Name

President

Ms. Kelly Robinson

JC

President Elect Ms. Sarah Buchanan

MDCC

Secretary

Dr . Coranette “Chris” Square

EMCC

1. Preliminaries

A. Call to Order: Ms. Sarah Buchanan (MDCC) at 9:04

B. Roll Call: Dr. Coranette “Chris” Square (EMCC)

C. Approval of November 2025 Minutes

1. Motion to approve : Ms.Buffy Matthews (MGCC) 2. Second to approve : Ms. Denise Gillespie (ICC) 3. Approved by all 14 community colleges

D. Approval of January 2026 Agenda

1. Motion to approve: Ms. Buffy Matthews (MGCCC) 2. Second to approve: Ms. Kim Steinman (NWCC) 3. Approved by all 14 community colleges

E. MCCB Reports

1. Dr. Krista LeBrun (MCCB)

a. Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation (MCCA) - Dr. LeBrun noted that each year, the colleges complete the Mississippi SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) process. This documentation must be submitted to Sheriece Robinson (IHL) with a deadline of February 13, 2026 this year. b. She stated that she plans to take the procurement request for this item to the MCCB Board on Friday. The estimated cost is approximately $54,000 , and she noted that MCCA fees were increased within the last year or two to better align with national SARA fees . c. Dr. LeBrun explained that she typically submits both the MCCA and NC SARA applications together. NC SARA is the national component of state