Category: Campus News

Summer Learning Academy Thrives in First Year

August 7, 2018 | Campus News

This summer, Samuel Getchman kept busy. He designed a video game, solved a forensic mystery and escaped a vault.

“I wanted to be able to express my creativity,” he said, “I like exploring. I like expanding my mind.”

He was able to do all three at East Central College’s Summer Learning Academy. Facilitated by Community Education, it provided a unique, fun experience for area youth on the Union campus this summer.

“These classes were designed with curiosity in mind – letting students develop talents and encourage personal growth,” said Program Coordinator Bonnie Devine. “In the past, we’ve offered traditional summer camp-style activities, but we went in a new direction this year.”

Along with the new name, classes were completely redesigned.

“To make this program successful, we knew we needed faculty buy-in,” said Joel Doepker, Vice President of External Relations. “We wanted to bring their knowledge and expertise into the mix. We wanted to strike the right balance between having fun and learning something new.”

Several East Central College instructors jumped at the chance to be a part of Summer Learning Academy. Assistant Professor of Engineering Dr. Isaiah Kellogg created an escape room where students used math and science skills to solve puzzles before the clock ran out. Journalism instructor Leigh Kolb facilitated a student-run online newspaper where students put their reporting skills to the test. Science Laboratory Manager Jennifer Chitwood ran a forensics lab where students were able solve crime mysteries and learn from real law enforcement investigators.

Culinary Program Coordinator Mike Palazzola offered a made-from-scratch pizza class and a dessert bakeshop class for students.

“I always get excited when we have young students in the kitchen,” said Palazzola. “We not only teach them how to cook but also why it’s important to learn about kitchen safety and following instructions.”

The new look and feel of Summer Learning Academy made a difference with enrollment. Nearly 220 students signed up for classes this year, a 70 percent jump over 2017!

“Several classes reached capacity in just a few weeks,” said Devine. “We hope to expand more next year and continue to offer new, exciting classes for area youth.”

East Central College Awarded National Endowment for the Arts Grant

East Central College is proud to announce it has received an Arts Engagement in American Communities (AEAC) grant from the National Endowment for the Arts!

The $10,000 matching grant will help support the annual concert series in the John Anglin Performing Arts Center for the 2018-2019 school year.

“We are proud to host world-renowned acts like the Arianna String Quartet and St. Louis Symphony every year,” said Dr. Jennifer Judd, Concert Series Coordinator and East Central College Professor of Music. “It couldn’t happen without the support of the community, the college and amazing organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts.”

The AEAC grant supports arts projects in all artistic disciplines, extending the National Endowment for the Arts’ reach to communities across the United States. These grants engage the public in diverse and excellent art in underrepresented geographic areas.

Information about upcoming concerts can be found at eastcentral.edu/tickets.

Peggy Zotta Memorial Scholarship Established for Nurses at East Central College

July 26, 2018 | Campus News

For the last several years, an area woman has been on a mission – honoring her longtime friend and nursing colleague Peggy Zotta.

“Peggy and I worked together at St. Luke’s side by side, mostly in the Newborn and the Special Care Nurseries,” her friend said. “She was a nurse’s nurse. Someone you could count on. Someone you would want taking care of those you loved the very most.”

In 2014, Zotta became terminally ill. Her friend wanted to honor her memory after her passing.

“There is a lot more to nursing than the mechanics and knowledge base. More even than human touch. Maybe it’s compassion, an empathy that can enhance healing beyond the physical things we do. I know it is essential in the very best of us, and Peggy had that gift, that art,” she said.

The friend and her husband set out to establish the Peggy Zotta Memorial Scholarship for nursing students. They started their quest at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, and they recently started working with the East Central College Foundation to bring the scholarship to even more students.

“Peggy was aware of the first scholarship before we lost her and was pleased to be honored,” her friend added. “I think she’d be even more tickled about this one. I’m excited about how many students may benefit!”

The friend and her husband donate $40,000 annually to help students in need at East Central College.

“I want this scholarship to be part of her legacy,” she explained, “something to honor her, who she was, the lives she touched. I am privileged to be able to help a deserving student – glad to be able to give back. I never imagined, working all those years, that the money I had put aside for retirement would end up giving back to the profession that I love.”

The Peggy Zotta Memorial Scholarship at East Central College will be available for any student with great need but especially for those who often fall through the cracks or who have no other means for pursuing their goals. It will be available for the 2018-2019 school year.

New Student Orientations

July 19, 2018 | Campus News

It’s time to get ready for the Fall 2018 Semester! At New Student Orientation, you will learn about student rights and responsibilities, campus safety, financial aid, instructional technology and campus life. Each session is held in the Health and Science Building. Check-in starts 30 minutes before each session in the lobby.

New Student Orientations:

Thursday, August 2 from 4-8 p.m.
Tuesday, August 7 from 4-8 p.m.
Thursday, August 9 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Saturday, August 11 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Orientation attendance is required as part of Foundation Seminar, the class required for new ECC students. Any degree seeking student who is registered for the upcoming semester who has *not* attended an earlier orientation session is required to attend.

The New Student Orientation or Campus Orientation is not an event open to the public, but a course in which new students are enrolled when they meet with an Advisor to schedule their first semester.

Mercy Provides Space for ECC English Language Classes

July 17, 2018 | Campus News

Mercy Clinic Four Rivers in Washington is donating classroom space for the Adult Education and Literacy program at East Central College to teach English language acquisition classes.

The classes provide students with a working knowledge of English in preparation for citizenship tests, the workplace, additional education, and daily living.

“We know there are groups of community members in the Washington area who need to enhance their English language skills.” said Alice Whalen, director of the Adult Education and Literacy program. “Students are also looking to improve their English language skills for travel, social or employment purposes.”

“It’s a credit to the continuing partnerships between Mercy and East Central College that this was able to happen,” says Joel Doepker, Vice President of External Relations. “We appreciate the quick response by Mercy to accommodate the program and its students.”

The small classroom space fits perfectly with the program to allow students the chance to receive individual attention from their instructor and tutors.

“I’m pleased we’re able to provide the classroom space for East Central College to expand its offerings,” says Dr. David Chalk, president, Mercy Clinic Four Rivers. “Mercy takes pride in helping to enhance our community, and education fits in well with our legacy. When our founding sisters arrived in St. Louis in 1856 they actually opened up a free school for girls because they were responding to the needs of that community. I think they would be happy to know their thinking is still alive and well.”

Students studying English will also participate in cultural and social activities in the community. Students take the class with a range of experience; some students need help preparing to enter college.

The classes will be held Monday and Wednesday from 8-11 a.m. at the Mercy Medical Building South (Patients First Drive) and provided at no cost to the students.

East Central College Receives Grant for Community-Focused Greenhouse

July 17, 2018 | Campus News

Students in the East Central College Culinary Arts Program won’t just learn how to prepare and cook food, but they will soon learn how to grow it as well. Thanks to a $70,000 grant from the USDA Rural Development Program, a greenhouse will be constructed on the Union campus.

“This greenhouse will strengthen the Culinary Arts curriculum,” said Program Director Mike Palazzola. “Students will learn more about sustainability and farm-to-table competencies. The program will be more comprehensive and desirable to potential students and the area workforce.”

The USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas.

“This grant better positions the college to expand an existing program and create innovative solutions to address the regional skills gap,” said Joel Doepker, Vice President of External Relations, “For the past three years the College has received USDA funding and we appreciate their investment in our programs.”

East Central College was awarded the grant based on evidence showing job creation at local businesses, economic need in the area to be served and consistency with local economic development priorities. During the grant application process, East Central College received several letters of support for the project from local eateries.

“Currently, three-fourths of the staff for our kitchen has attended East Central College,” said Katie Geisert, owner of Farm To You Market. “We find that it is crucial that a quality education continues locally, one that includes practices in sustainability and appreciation of how food is grown and used locally.”

The new greenhouse will also benefit the community.

“We want this to serve as a community-outreach project as well,” said Palazzola. “With the amount of food we will be able to produce, we should be able to provide a constant stream of fresh, healthy produce to local food banks.”

East Central College also hopes to use the greenhouse to help educate area high school students as well as create Community Education class opportunities.

Construction of the greenhouse, which will be located behind the East Central College Training Center, should begin this fall. The project is to be completed no later than September 2019.

Theatre Alumni Cast Party July 21

June 29, 2018 | Campus News

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of East Central College, we invite all theatre alumni to our Biggest Cast Party Ever following the 2 p.m. production of “Life Could Be A Dream” on July 21.

Enjoy free concessions during the show and stay for a pizza party following the show!

Please RSVP for this event. Visit https://goo.gl/forms/a3TBirj0xQLJ2qe53 or email castparty@eastcentral.edu

Please note: Tickets are still required to be purchased to see the show. Buy yours today!

Join Us at RegFest July 17!

June 27, 2018 | Campus News

East Central College is excited to host RegFest once again in 2018! RegFest is a chance for potential students to talk with admissions representatives about programs, start the enrollment process, learn how to pay for college, and register for fall classes. This is an open event for the community – no appointment required!

Join us on July 17 from 3 – 7 p.m. in Union, 1964 Prairie Dell Road, or Rolla, 500 Forum Drive, for free Jimmy John’s, door prizes, and concert ticket giveaways! We are happy to have KSHE-95 and New Country 92.3 team up with us in Union and Superstation KZNN 105.3 in Rolla.

While the Fall Semester is quickly approaching, you still have plenty of time to sign up for classes. Whether you are looking to eventually transfer to a four-year university or get a career-ready degree, we can help find the right path for you.

What should you bring to RegFest?

Valid picture I.D.
High School and/or College transcripts
2016 Tax Information for Financial Aid

If you don’t have all the documents handy, that’s okay! We can still help get the process started.

Want to get a head start before the event?

Apply Online
Check Out Our Programs
Learn About Financial Aid

Questions?

Union: 636-584-6588 or admissions@EastCentral.edu

Rolla: 573-466-4100 or ECCRolla@EastCentral.edu

Becoming a Better Leader in the Workplace

June 15, 2018 | Campus News

Becoming a successful workplace leader takes time, effort and education. Leadership is a skill, and, like all skills, it has to be carefully crafted and practiced. The Center for Workforce Development is offering a series of summer workshops to help you become a better leader in the workplace.

The series starts with Leadership Fundamentals June 25-26. For emerging leaders and first time unit leaders, this course covers the basic skills necessary to take first supervisory role, from setting goals for teams and for tackling difficult conflicts.

The Supervisor Leadership session focuses on those transitioning from an individual contributor to leading a team. The course is July 10-12 and covers effective communication strategies, avoiding the most common mistakes of new supervisors, managing former coworkers, motivation and engagement techniques, resolving conflicts and building teams.

The Division Head Leadership session runs July 17-18. This course is for high-potential leaders who are ready to transition to mid-level positions. Participants will learn how to integrate strategic initiatives through delegation and accountability and the importance of assessment tools to measure and motivate.

During the July 24-25 Manager Leadership session, upper-level managers and leaders who align the organization to implement strategies will learn about strategic insight, business acumen, building cross unit collaboration and managing talent and career development.

The last session of the series, Executive Leadership, will be held July 31 – August 1. Participants will get an understanding of executive leadership skills in business in order to become a visionary, a trailblazer, a strategist, a communicator, a coach, a diplomat and the chief motivator. The Center for Workforce Development will help you build an executive leadership style that creates trust, sets a clear vision and guides your entire team toward greater performance and profit.

Participants can choose to attend individual sessions for $250 apiece or all five sessions for $1000. Each session will be held in the Business and Industry Center, 42 Prairie Dell Plaza in Union, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. A Certificate of Completion will be awarded after each course, and a Leadership Academy Certificate will be awarded after completion of all five courses.

To enroll in one or all courses, please contact 636-649-5803 or training@eastcentral.edu.