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Category: Campus News

East Central College Named Top Community College Provider of Apprenticeships in U.S.

November 15, 2017 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Sullivan-based Aerofil Technology Inc. competes on the global market, and maintaining a developed workforce is crucial to keeping up with demand.

“The industry keeps changing, and we have to change with it. You have to keep getting better as a company, and training employees is a part of that,” said Aerofil CEO Bob Dunaway.

The company reached out to East Central College in Union for help.

“East Central College is proud to be the workforce training provider for the area,” said President Dr. Jon Bauer, “and we credit Aerofil for dedicating its time and resources to its employees. It makes the workforce stronger, and it makes the local economy stronger.”

East Central College instructors are currently delivering training to Aerofil employees in manufacturing maintenance and logistics at the Aerofil facility. It’s being made possible through a U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship grant – tasking institutions to design programs to help close the skills gap in their area.

“Our country faces a chronic shortage of skilled laborers,” said HBM Holdings CEO Mike DeCola. The company recently acquired Aerofil. “We have to close that gap. As employers, it is our responsibility to train our workers, and no one is training employees better than Aerofil and East Central College.”

More than 100 registered apprenticeships are being created through the partnership, and it’s getting noticed at the national level.

“Not only is East Central College a leader in Missouri, but no other community college in the United States provides more registered apprenticeships than they do,” said Neil Perry, Missouri State Director of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Missouri now ranks third in the country in registered apprenticeships. “Community colleges like East Central College are a big part of the reason why,” said Perry.

After completion of an apprenticeship, Aerofil employees will receive a Certificate of Specialization in Industrial Maintenance Technology and will receive industry credentials.  “East Central College figured out how to make this partnership work,” said Dunaway. “So far, it has been fantastic.”

East Central College’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD) launched the program with Aerofil in April 2017. In addition to 31 credit hours, the program also consists of 3,900 hours of structured, on-the-job training. CWD spent nearly two years researching and designing the apprenticeship program before its launch.

“This is a great example of collaboration and innovation,” said Dr. Bauer. “Many departments at East Central College came together to deliver programming that specifically meet the needs of Aerofil.”

It is being fully funded by the DOL grant program and Aerofil at no cost to the student. The funds are paying all costs for industry credentials, program administration, tuition, fees, books, supplies and apprentice wages.

“These types of partnerships don’t happen in a vacuum. They don’t happen overnight. Hard work got us here, and hard work will keep this partnership strong,” said Missouri Director of Workforce Development Mardy Leathers.

The grant program was originally scheduled to expire in April 2018. Due to the success of the program, it has been extended an additional year. “Programs such as this will give more businesses the chance to work with colleges like East Central to train their employees for the future,” explained Leathers.

The event coincided with National Apprenticeship Week – a national celebration that offers leaders in business, labor, education, and other critical partners a chance to express their support for Apprenticeship.

Gift Wrapping Station at The Learning Center

November 15, 2017 | Campus News

If you think wrapping holiday gifts is a chore, The Learning Center wants to lift the burden! To raise funds for The Learning Center Scholarship Fund, they will wrap your gifts, big or small, from now until December 11.

All you have to do is drop them off inside The Learning Center, and they will take care of the rest.

Price list:

  • Small Items (books, movies, video games, etc.) – $2
  • Medium Items (clothes, board games, etc.) – $4
  • Large Items (small appliances, toys, etc.) – $5
  • Extra Large Items (TV’s, bedding, etc.) – $7

Ask about a discount for multiple items!

Also, be sure to stop by The Learning Center lobby November 28-29 for the Holiday Treats fundraiser from 9:30 – 2:00 p.m. All proceeds will support The Learning Center Scholarship Fund.

Get Help With Financial Aid During FAFSA Nights

November 14, 2017 | Campus News

Getting financial aid for college can be stressful for many people. What forms do I fill out? What scholarships and grants am I eligible for? When are the deadlines?

East Central College wants to make the process easier! We will be holding a series of workshops to help students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

FAFSA Nights will be held at the Union (Buescher Hall, Room 182) and Rolla Main locations from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:

  • October 5
  • October 19
  • November 2
  • November 16
  • November 30

“Because students are able to file the FAFSA as early as October 1, we want to make sure they feel comfortable going into the process,” said Director of Student Financial Aid Karen Griffen. “These workshops are open to all students – not just those planning to come to East Central College”

What should I bring?

  • Social Security Number
  • Driver’s License
  • W-2 Forms
  • 2016 Federal Income Tax Return
  • Your Parent’s Federal Income Tax Return (if applicable)
  • Veterans Non-Education Benefit Records
  • Child Support Received and/or Paid
  • Worker’s Compensation
  • Current Business and Investment Information
  • Alien Registration or Permanent Resident Card

Questions? 636.584.6588 or FinAid@EastCentral.edu

International Education Week – November 13-17

November 13, 2017 | Campus News

International Education Week 2017 is here! Celebrated November 13-17, it is a week designated by the U.S. Departments of State and Education to promote and celebrate international exchange.  Check out an event on campus, and join in on the fun!

The International Candy Bar will open at , 11 a.m. on Monday, November 13 outside The Learning Center. Stop by and try candy from around the world!

The popular Soup & Stories series will be held Tuesday-Thursday in the Café. Hear stories from our international students and have a free bowl of soup provided by the East Central College Culinary Program. Dessert will also provided by Café Central!

Tuesday, 11/14
11:30am-12:00 pm           Alexsandar Stojov (Serbia)
12:00pm-12:30 pm           Nicholas Tosovksy-Heinemeier (American in Spain) & Amiru N’Diaye-Pipio (Spain)


Wednesday, 11/15
11:30am-12:00 pm           Magnus Andersen (Denmark)
12:00pm-12:30 pm           Lewis Brass & Billy Thompson (United Kingdom)


Thursday, 11/16
11:30am-12:00 pm           Sebastián Jarrín (Ecuador)
12:00pm-12:30 pm           Flavian Hunter (Trinidad)

 

International Education Week will also feature guest speakers throughout the week. On Tuesday, November 14 from 5 – 6 p.m. in Hansen Hall 286,  Roselyne Hazard will talk about her work with immigrants and refugees in the St. Louis area. Hazard is a therapist and clinical supervisor for ALIVE and a member of the Speakers Bureau for the International Institute of St. Louis.  Originally from Belgium, Roselyne has lived in Spain, Central America, South America and the Caribbean before moving to the United States 25 years ago.  She is an East Central College alumna and has a Master’s of Social Work and Licensed Clinical Social Work from St. Louis University.

On Thursday, November 16 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in Hansen Hall 286, Kate Camargo will be the featured speaker. Camargo has served as a health education specialist in the Peace Corps from 2007-2009 in Mali, West Africa. She worked in a rural health clinic, where she assisted the clinic’s nurse and midwives with vaccination campaigns, maternal education and infant growth tracking. She also provided health education in local primary and secondary schools. Following her Peace Corps service, she received a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) from Indiana University. Kate currently works as a Foundation Partnerships Associate with Action Against Hunger, a global humanitarian organization dedicated to ending world hunger.

Restructured Scholarships Open More Opportunities for Students

November 10, 2017 | Campus News

East Central College is restructuring its scholarships to help more students pay for college.

“This will not only encourage the recruitment of full-time students,” said Vice President of Student Services Shelli Allen, “but we also hope it will increase participation in part-time students.”

The new scholarship procedures were put together by a task force comprised of faculty, staff and administrators. The group reviewed current scholarships, researched best practices across the industry and determined how East Central College should allocate scholarships to students.

“The group decided there needed to be a bigger emphasis on persistence and completion,” explained Allen. “The College Completion Scholarship, for example, is an award for students who are within 12 credit hours of degree or certificate completion.”

Another award, the Operation: Graduation! Scholarship, is designed to help students who are meeting the “15 to Finish” timeline toward degree completion within the first two years of college.

“We want to do everything we can to lift the financial burden on our students,” said East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer. “The scholarship task force found a way to use the funds we have to reach the students who need it most.”

Broader eligibility criteria is also a key component of the restructure. The Board of Trustees Scholarship, for example, was previously open only to students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class. It will now be open to high school graduates with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or who rank in the top 10 percent. The scholarship also now includes HiSET students, home schooled students, transfer students and currently enrolled students at East Central College.

Other changes include scholarships for students enrolled at least half-time, targeted recruitment scholarships for fine and performing arts and modified credit hour requirements for scholarship renewal.

ECC, Aerofil Technology to Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week

November 9, 2017 | Campus News

Aerofil Technology, Inc. and East Central College will be highlighted to help celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 13-17. Through its Center for Workforce Development and the use of the U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship program, East Central College leads the state’s community colleges with 109 registered apprentices using funds from the U.S. DOL apprenticeship program.

The recognition event will be held Tuesday, November 14, 8:30-11 a.m. at Aerofil Technology, 225 Industrial Park Drive in Sullivan. The event program features the U.S. DOL’s State Director of apprenticeships, Missouri’s new Director of Workforce Development, the CEOs of Aerofil Technology and its holding company, HBM Holdings, and the East Central College president. The 9:00 a.m. program will be followed with tours of the Aerofil facility and the classrooms used by instructors and employees.

East Central College instructors deliver training to Aerofil employees in manufacturing maintenance and logistics at the Aerofil facility. Several employees will receive a Certificate of Specialization in Industrial Maintenance Technology upon completion of the coursework and also receive industry credentials.

East Central College will be live tweeting the event using #NAW17 – be sure to follow us!

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a National Celebration that offers leaders in business, labor, education, and other critical partners a chance to express their support for Apprenticeship. NAW also gives apprenticeship sponsors the opportunity to showcase their programs, facilities and apprentices in their community. The weekly events highlight the benefits of Apprenticeship in preparing a highly-skilled workforce to meet the talent needs of employers across diverse industries.

#InspiringExcellence – MCCA Award Winners

November 6, 2017 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Kevin Ijames Sr., Audrey Freitag, Kevin Dixon and Karen Butterfield were honored at the 2017 Missouri Community College Association in November.

Ijames, President of Ace Manufacturing, was honored with the Distinguished Business and Industry Award. It is presented annually to individuals and/or businesses that have engaged in significant partnerships with their local community college to stimulate economic activity and support community college students and programs.

Audrey Freitag received the Distinguished Alumni Award. It is presented annually to exceptional individuals who have attended a Missouri community college.  Primary criteria for selection include outstanding professional accomplishments and outstanding contributions to his/her community.

Kevin Dixon was honored with the Senior Service Award. It is presented annually to a long-serving employee from each of Missouri’s community colleges/campuses.  Recipients are recommended for the award by their campus president/chancellor.  To receive this award, the employee must have worked at a community college for 20 years or more.

Karen Butterfield, Union Editor of The Missourian, received the News Media Award. It is presented annually to members of the media whose work promotes understanding and appreciation of community colleges’ mission, students, faculty, staff, and administrators, as well as the unique challenges and opportunities facing community colleges.

Photo: Front, left to right: Dr. Jon Bauer, Audrey Freitag, Karen Butterfield, Keven Ijames Sr., ECC Board of Trustees President Ann Hartley.
Back, left to right: ECC Board of Trustees Secretary Don Kappelman, ECC Board of Trustees Member Dr. Eric Park, ECC Board of Trustees Vice President Dr. Joseph Stroetker and ECC Board of Trustees Member Cookie Hays. Not pictured: Kevin Dixon.

Register for Classes Early and Win Free Textbooks!

October 29, 2017 | Campus News

One lucky student who registers for Winter 2017 or Spring 2018 classes between October 23 – November 10 will win free* textbooks for next semester!

The course schedule is now available for students to view. You can check it out on the Student Services page under Registration and Student Records.

Enrolling for classes early allows East Central College to better plan for next semester – students should schedule an appointment with their advisor today!

*up to $500

Free English Language Classes Now Available In Wright City

October 26, 2017 | Campus News

The Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program at East Central College is offering English language classes for adults. The class is free to students. Learn to read, write, speak and listen in English, and study U.S. government and the U.S. Constitution in preparation for the U.S. Citizenship test.

Orientation and classes will be held at the Wright City Church of the Nazarene, 521 N. Service Road. Orientation will be held on the first Wednesday of November and December from 5 – 9 p.m. Class will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 – 8 p.m.

For more information, contact the AEL program at ael@eastcentral.edu or 844-322-4235.

Picture: AEL Director Alice Whalen with Wright City Church of the Nazarene Pastor Joe Purl.

Phi Theta Kappa Inducts New Members

October 25, 2017 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

The Chi Delta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa welcomed new members during its annual Fall Induction Ceremony. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the international honor society for the two-year college. Members pursue activities that fall under the direction of the society’s hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship.

“Phi Theta Kappa membership is by invitation only,” said PTK Advisor Kevin Dixon. “Students must have a 3.4 GPA as a full time student for a semester. Once they are inducted into PTK, students have to maintain an overall GPA of 3.2.”

“The college is extremely proud of the new Phi Theta Kappa members,” said President Dr. Jon Bauer. “These students and the organization represent a very important part of campus culture.”

Membership is open to all majors throughout the college, including anyone working toward a degree or certificate.

Rachel Reagan-Purschke, an ECC alumna and former chapter president was the keynote speaker at the event. She shared her story of becoming a successful nontraditional student and successful local attorney.

Congrats to the new members!

  • Jennifer Alvarez, New Haven
  • Benjamin Bone, Union
  • Curtis Brinker, Washington
  • Haley Cluck, Sullivan
  • Matthew Dobsch, Catawissa
  • Zachariah Drayton, Warrenton
  • Molly Femmer, Beaufort
  • Katherine Haring, Sullivan
  • April Head, Rhineland
  • Jessica Horn, Union
  • Jessica Kelly, Union
  • Lydia Klenke, Union
  • Kaitlyn Knickmeyer, Washington
  • Jonathon Monasmith, Pacific
  • Amanda Peirick, Villa Ridge
  • Matthew Reis, Marthasville
  • Matt Snodgrass, Union
  • Jonathon Stone, Villa Ridge
  • Nathan Walter, Washington
  • Samantha White, Festus
  • Leah Whitworth, Washington
  • Madelyn Woods, Jonesburg