East Central College   

Category: Campus News

Breaking Down Language Barriers to Become a Better Business Manager

September 24, 2018 | Campus News

Ten years ago, Neha Patel moved from India to the United States to help her husband manage a hotel in St. Clair. She had taken English classes in college, but knew she would have to improve her skills in order to interact with customers.

English can be a complicated language for non-native speakers to learn, but Patel didn’t want to give up. She was determined to improve and better serve customers at their hotel.

Her husband knew she was struggling with the language barrier, so he started searching for resources in the area. That’s when he found the East Central College Adult Education and Literacy Program (AEL). He suggested his wife give it a try.

“Our English Language Acquisition classes are designed for people just like Neha,” said AEL Director Alice Whalen. “We provide students with a working knowledge of English in preparation for the workplace and daily living.”

Whalen added that classes are conducted in a small classroom style to allow students the chance to receive individual attention from their instructors and tutors. The classes help students in reading and listening, and even learn American culture. Patel started taking classes in November 2017. In a short amount of time, it is already helping her be a better supervisor at her business.

“This class is really helping me talk to customers politely and respond back to them,” Neha explained. “My instructor is excellent. Even when I studied in my country, I didn’t have a teacher like her. She is helping me a lot.”

The AEL English Language Acquisition course is completely free and has locations in Union, Rolla, Washington and Wright City. Both day and evening times are available. For more information on classes and registration, visit English Language Acquisition or call 636-584-6533.

Students vs. Staff Food Drive – September 24-28

September 24, 2018 | Campus News

East Central College will host a campus-wide food drive in Union and Rolla September 24-28. Part of the 50 Acts of Kindness Campaign and the 50th Anniversary Celebration, the food drive will serve as an opportunity to combat food insecurity in the ECC Service Area.

In Union, we are pitting students against students can collect more food than faculty by noon on September 28, they will get to park in staff/faculty parking spots during mid-terms week!

Students and staff will each have a drop-off location in Cafe Central. Suggested items include but not limited to: canned meat, canned soup, canned pasta, canned vegetables, boxed dinners, boxed pasta and pasta sauce.

In Rolla, students and staff will can drop off food at Rolla Main by the Student Services Desk or Rolla North in Room 101. If students can collect more food than staff, they will get a chance to receive a free staff parking pass! Two passes will be given, one at Rolla Main and on at Rolla North.

Thank you for helping us fight hunger!

Questions? Email courtney.henrichsen@eastcentral.edu or jay.scherder@eastcentral.edu.

Fall Writing Contest Open for Students

September 21, 2018 | Campus News

Are you a talented storyteller? Until Tuesday, October 30, current ECC students can submit their stories and/or essays to the Annual ECC English Department’s Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction Writing Contest.

“We received amazing entries every year,” said English instructor Josh Stroup. “I feel it is extremely important our students get a real audience to read their work, not just family or friends. We should celebrate writing, and this contest does just that.”

Each student is allowed a maximum of three entries, and each entry must be no longer than 20 pages.

Additionally, submissions should be in size 12 Times New Roman font and single spaced. Please include a cover sheet with your name, phone number, email, mailing address and entry titles. As for individual stories or essays, only the title in a header is needed. Entries should be submitted as a Microsoft Word attachment to Joshua.Stroup@eastcentral.edu.

Winners will be announced via email on November 16. First prize is $100, second prize is $50 and third prize is $25.

For more information about this contest, contact Josh Stroup at Joshua.Stroup@eastcentral.edu.

#InspiringExcellence – Mike Palazzola Wins Statewide Faculty Innovation Award

September 19, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Learning by doing. It’s the approach East Central College Culinary Arts Instructor Mike Palazzola uses with students every day.

“We recognized there was something missing from our culinary classrooms,” Palazzola said, “We needed real life experiences in real time.”

The award-winning chef, along with former culinary instructor Ted Hirschi, came up with a solution – The Restaurant at Prairie Dell. Managed by the East Central College Culinary Arts Program, the limited-run restaurant gives students hands-on experience at running an establishment of their own.

“Students are responsible for scheduling, production, staff management and the handling of revenue,” Palazzola explained. “It is a great opportunity for them to learn processes and standards they will encounter in the hospitality industry.”

“The restaurant has been extremely popular not only with our staff but in the community,” said Jay Scherder, Director of Public Relations. “You get excellent service, gourmet food and a small bill. At the same time, we are providing a unique, educational experience to our students.”

Palazzola is now being recognized for the project by the Missouri Community Colleges Association (MCCA). We are proud to announce he was honored with the Mel Aytes Faculty Innovation Award in 2018! It is given to only one community college faculty member each year in Missouri.

“I’m extremely humbled by the award,” said Palazzola. “The Restaurant at Prairie Dell was a collaborative effort, and it’s the students who truly make it so special.”

He will be recognized at the annual MCCA Award & Recognition Ceremony in Branson, Missouri on Friday, November 9.

Congrats to this amazing chef and instructor!

Alumni Spotlight -“East Central College Helped Set Me Up for Success at Missouri S&T”

September 11, 2018 | Campus News

He’s the type of person who likes to figure things out. It’s why Blake Bohl decided to become an engineer.

“I enjoy problem solving and determining the most effective solution to a given problem,” the Owensville native explained. “I enjoy studying engineering because I know I will eventually be in a place where I can improve the quality of life for many people, and I know I will enjoy doing it.”

Bohl got his start at East Central College.

“Instructors at ECC not only challenged me to do my best on my coursework, but also helped me to understand what I really wanted to do with my life,” he said.

He is now continuing his education at Missouri S&T, where he is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

“East Central College helped set me up for success at Missouri S&T,” He said. “At ECC, I got out what I put in. The harder I studied, the more my instructors noticed and were able to get to know me better.  Although she was not the only one, Linda Arrington played a big role in who I became at ECC and what I am going to become at Missouri S&T.”

He received a bit of good news this semester. Bohl was one of only six students in an eight-state region to receive the Weary Scholarship – designed to help deserving, academically-oriented students to further their college education.

“I was ecstatic! I felt an incredible amount of joy, but also relief,” he said. “This scholarship will cover roughly half of this semester’s costs and allow me to spend more time studying, or participating in clubs and design teams rather than working as much.”

East Central College and Missouri S&T have had a thriving transfer partnership for more than 40 years. Originally established for the benefit of engineering students, the partnership has expanded to include students majoring in more than 40 different degree programs.

Center for Workforce Development Searching for Local Experts

September 11, 2018 | Campus News

The East Central College Center for Workforce Development (CWD) needs talented people to help provide training to local businesses. It is holding a series of talent fairs this fall to allow those interested to stop by and discuss how their talents can be used.

“This is a great opportunity for retirees or someone looking for part-time work,” said Joel Doepker, Vice President of External Relations. “We have a great amount of knowledge in our area and their work experience has a tremendous amount of value.”

The events will be held at the East Central College Business and Industry Center, 42 Prairie Dell Plaza Drive, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Each talent fair has a different focus based on the type of talent needed.

  • September 20
    AutoCAD, Tool & Die, Welding, Quick Books, Industrial Maintenance, Industrial Electricity and Precision Machining
  • October 4
    Lean Six Sigma, Quality Management, Logistics and Material Coordination, OSHA 10 & 30 Instruction
  • October 25
    Holiday Artisans, Craft Instructors, Personal and Professional Development, Peach Tree Software Instruction
  • November 1
    Certified Nursing Assistant Instruction for East Central College – Rolla

CWD offers credit and non-credit classes and training in a wide range of areas for employers and employees who are looking to upgrade their skills or may be seeking a new skill set for a change in employment. Additionally, through its Community Education Program, it provides children and adults with opportunities for personal and professional enrichment.

Attendees are asked to bring a current resume. Questions can be directed to training@eastcentral.edu or call 636-649-5803.

#InspiringExcellence – Leigh Kolb Named Outstanding Young Professional

September 6, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Each year, fifteen individuals are selected as Outstanding Young Professionals by the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, and we are proud to announce Leigh Kolb made the list in 2018!

“I’m in awe,” said the East Central College Assistant Professor of English and Journalism. “It is such an honor and privilege.”

The award is designed to recognize young professionals, ages 40 and younger, who make significant contributions to the Washington area, both in business and volunteer service. According to the Washington Chamber of Commerce, the selection committee received more nominations than ever before in the six-year history of the awards!

“The work Leigh Kolb does every day directly and positively impacts our region,” said Joel Doepker, East Central College Vice President of External Relations. “She is dedicated to bringing social justice and cultural education to the community.”

Aside from her dedication inside the classroom, Kolb spearheads the East Central College Film and Lecture Series and the East Central College Student Media Club, which organizes and staffs the student newspaper. She has also played a role in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations on campus. In 2018, she is helping bring together Democrats and Republicans for a non-partisan candidate forum to be held on campus on September 20.

“She not only teaches but mentors those around her,” said Doepker. “She is highly praised not only by her students each year but also by other faculty and staff members at the college.”

Recipients of the Outstanding Young Professional Awards will be honored at the Chamber’s Member Luncheon on Monday, September 24.

Congrats to Leigh!

#InspiringExcellence – CNA/AEL Program Gives Second Chances, Changes Lives

August 17, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Healthcare was always a field of interest for Pacific resident Heather Delisi. “My mother and my aunt were both Certified Nurse Assistants,” she explained. “It’s something I grew up with.”

The drive to help people in need is what led Kayla Jenkins to healthcare. “I want to become a nurse. I want to help new moms and take care of new babies,” the Union resident said.

Both had something standing in their way – no high school diploma.

“I dropped out when I was 16,” Delisi explained. “At the time, I was following my fiancé to a new state.”

She is now 36, and decided it was time to finish what she started.

“I wanted to show my kids I could do it,” she said. “I want to set a good example.”

Jenkins left high school her senior year. She admits bad influences got in the way of her education. Nearly seven years later, she made a very important phone call.

“I called my old high school about getting my diploma, and they told me about a local program for people just like me,” she said. “I have a daughter now, and I need a career – not just a job.”

Both landed at the East Central College Adult Education and Literacy Program and enrolled in the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program. It is designed to prepare individuals to care for clients in long-term care facilities, hospitals and home health agencies. The innovative program consists of 75 hours of classroom training and 100 hours of supervised clinical training. It also includes 100 hours preparation for the high school equivalency exam.

“After looking into the program, I was ready. I said ‘let’s do this,’” said Jenkins.

“I was tired of just sitting at home,” said Delisi. “I admit I was a little terrified starting the program. I had no idea what to expect.”

Her fears quickly went away once the program got underway. “The class sizes were small. It made me so much more comfortable,” she said.

Terri Warmack leads the CNA program. As the Health Careers Workforce Coordinator, she knows the program can be a life-changing experience for many.

“This program is about second chances,” she said. “It’s about taking that first step to a new life. Certified Nurse Assistants are vital to healthcare. It’s a rewarding, exciting and challenging career where you can make a difference every day.”

“Terri is a great teacher,” said Delisi. “She’s like another mom. She relates to us. We laugh together. We cry together.”

Betsy Williams is also in the classroom. As an AEL instructor, she is helping the class prepare to get their high school equivalency.

“Betsy is all about discipline,” Delisi joked. “She keeps on us to make sure we stay the course.”

The combination is working. In August, Jenkins and Delisi passed the final exam to become a Certified Nurse Assistant through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. They will now both finish their High School Equivalency in the coming weeks.

“Once this is over, I plan to get a job and take a break,” said Jenkins, “but it’s not over. I want to keep going.”

“It feels so good to prove so many people wrong,” said Delisi. “I want to keep proving people wrong and become a registered nurse.”

The next CNA/AEL starts in September. Students must be 18 years of age at the start of the program. For more information: 636-584-6531, Terri.Warmack@EastCentral.edu.

Friends of Library Book Sale – September 10-13

August 15, 2018 | Campus News

ECC is holding its annual “Friends of the Library Book Sale” on September 10-12 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and September 13 from 7:30 a.m. – noon in Union. The sale helps raise funds for college activities and provides affordable reading options for the public.

Rather than paying full price for a used book online, ECC Library Services Director Lisa Farrell encourages students and community members alike to stop by. “We’ve seen many great fiction titles go quickly for 50 cents a paperback and $1.00 for hardbacks, including textbooks – it’s quite a steal.” The cost of each book ranges from 50 cents to one dollar. Sale items range from fiction and non-fiction books, recent magazines, and popular movies.

Friends of the Library allocates book sale funds to support free raffle drawings during Falcon Fest, snacks during finals week and additional movies for the circulating collection.

Cash, check and credit cards are accepted!