Month: October 2020

Employees Recognized for Years of Service

October 7, 2020 | Campus News

East Central College is recognizing the hard work and dedication of its employees.

This year, the employees who have been with ECC for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years were recognized individually for their commitment to students’ needs and helping them meet educational goals.

25 Years – Dr. Jon Bauer and Judy Bieker;
20 Years – Ann Boehmer, Lisa Farrell, Joan Glosemeyer, Lark Hoffman, Dr. Jay Mehrhoff, Dr. Matthew Monzyk and Amy Sisk;
15 Years – Linda Arrington, Chad Baldwin, Jennifer Crosby, Dr. Parvadha Govindaswamy, Stephanie Hebert, Jennifer Kuchem, Nancy Mitchell, Keith Schatzler and Tracie Welsh;
10 Years – Lorrie Baird, Jason Durbin, Paula Frank, Jennifer Higerd, Alison Tucker and Dr. Jerry Amoloza;
5 Years – Mary Eagan, Dr. Elizabeth Flotte, Rachel Howard, Rachael Karr, Steffani McCrary, Laura McDonald, Lesley Peters, Keith Pulles, Jessica Robart, Anna Schwein, Windy Souders, Brad Taber and Jessica Van Leer.

Together, these employees make up 445 years of experience at ECC.

Nursing Program Ranked No. 4 in Midwest

October 7, 2020 | Campus News

The East Central College Nursing Program is ranked No. 4 among 660 nursing schools offering associate’s degrees in the Midwest.

NursingProcess.org evaluated nursing schools throughout the region on four factors — national test pass rates, academic quality, the nursing school’s reputation and affordability.

In addition, the ECC Nursing associate’s degree program was ranked first in the state.

Nancy Mitchell, Director of Nursing and Dean of Health Science, said she is thrilled to be recognized as one of the “Best ADN Programs in the Midwest” by the nursing organization.

“This recognition showcases our programs commitment to nursing excellence and excellence in nursing education,” she said.

The evaluation was weighted heavily on National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) pass rates over the last four years. Those rates totaled 60 percent of the total ranking.

“Year to year, ECC nursing pass rates are well above the state and national averages,” Mitchell noted.

The remaining 40 percent of the evaluation was based on academic quality, 20 percent; nursing school’s reputation, 10 percent; and affordability, 10 percent.

“Our programs are known throughout our service region for excellence and rigor,” Mitchell added. “Our students are well prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation and to be successful for years to come.

“ECC nursing faculty, students and graduates are the backbone of our success.”

This is not the first recognition for the ECC Nursing program this year. In April, the Nursing Schools Almanac ranked ECC in the Top 10 among all nursing programs in Missouri.

Then in May, the nursing advocacy organization RegisteredNursing.org ranked the ECC Nursing Program No. 4 among 50 other programs statewide.

ECC Degrees

According to NursingProcess.org, jobs available for registered nurses with an associate’s degree are expected to grow by more than 500,000 by 2026.

ECC offers two programs leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing. These programs prepare students to become registered nurses.

The main campus in Union, as well as the Rolla site, offers a complete pre-licensure program (generic) for those interested in becoming a registered nurse.

An LPN to RN Bridge program also is available at the Rolla location for LPNs interested in becoming registered nurses.

To learn more about the ECC Nursing and Allied Health program, visit https://www.eastcentral.edu/nursing/, or contact Mitchell at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu.

McDonald Receives Excellence Award

October 6, 2020 | Campus News ECC Rolla

It was five years ago that Laura McDonald, MSN, RN started at East Central College as an adjunct instructor.

After just two years at the College, she became the Rolla Nursing Program Coordinator and began to oversee the day-to-day nursing program operations at the ECC Rolla campus.

McDonald recently was presented a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award to recognize her as a role model in education, and showcase the excellent work she does for ECC.

“After only two years as a nursing instructor, Laura stepped into the role of program coordinator overseeing 50 plus program students in two nursing tracks and advising over 100 pre-nursing students,” said the ECC representative who nominated McDonald.

She transitioned to a full-time nursing instructor after becoming a clinical adjunct instructor in 2015. McDonald then served as lead instructor while obtaining a masters degree in nursing education from Central Methodist University.

“Three short years ago she became program coordinator, with little experience, and she has done an excellent job leading and mentoring the nursing team in Rolla,” McDonald’s nominator said. “She has a remarkable work ethic and professional standards.

“Laura has done an outstanding job role modeling and developing new faculty members while upholding the program standards and policies, holding faculty and staff to professional standards to support and produce excellent nurses.”

It was further stated that McDonald is an advocate for faculty and students.

“She truly cares about their successes and failures. Laura has been the glue that has held the Rolla campus together the last few years. She is an outstanding faculty member and nurse clinician.”

Colleges that are members of NISOD can recognize employees through the Excellence Awards. The awards are presented to faculty and staff who are doing extraordinary work on their campuses.

Excellence Award recipients receives a unique silver medallion engraved with The University of Texas and NISOD insignias and are adorned with a burnt orange ribbon.

The overarching statement expressed through the award is that teaching and leading on the front lines of the community college mission rest on the shoulders of these outstanding individuals.

Sign Up Now for Eight-Week Classes

October 2, 2020 | Campus News

There is another opportunity just around the corner to take classes and earn credits at East Central College.

A variety of eight-week classes begin Monday, Oct. 19. Courses range from Art to Sociology, and many classes in between.

This slate of eight-week classes are online and most are part of the CORE 42 initiative, which are credits that easily transfer to public colleges and universities in Missouri.

To register, current and prospective students can visit www.eastcentral.edu/admissions, call 636-584-6588 or email admissions@eastcentral.edu.

CORE 42

CORE 42 is a block of at least 42 credit hours that will transfer as equivalent credit at all public colleges and universities in Missouri.

The CORE 42 curriculum streamlines the transfer of college credit and reduces the need to retake courses students have already completed at another school.

CORE 42 helps students earn a degree in less time and at less cost.

Visit our CORE 42 page for more information and to find helpful links to track courses that are eligible through the initiative.