Category: ECC Rolla

Rolla Health Science Academy Visits Campus

February 15, 2017 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College nursing students became nursing teachers in February. Students from the Rolla Technical Center’s Health Science Academy stopped by campus to get a firsthand look at healthcare education at the collegiate level.

“We have state-of-the-art nursing and EMS simulation labs,” said Nancy Mitchell, nursing program coordinator at East Central College. “The lab is where the bulk of learning, skill attainment and proficiency occurs prior to the students going into a patient care setting.”

The Health Science Academy offers Rolla high school students a “jump-start” into a future career in the healthcare industry. “It offers students an integrated academic and health-related curriculum taught through the Rolla School District,” said Mitchell. “After, they become a certified nursing assistant.”

While it’s a great starting point for the students after high school, East Central College student nurses used the interactive campus visit give the Rolla students a chance to explore more health careers.

“We show students what it’s really like to be a nurse or paramedic,” said Nursing and Allied Health Division Chair Robyn Walter. “The Health Science Academy students were extremely interested in the simulations involving babies – from birthing to newborn safety to shaken baby syndrome.”

East Central College is home to five accredited health care programs – fire technology, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, paramedic technology and radiologic technology. Additionally, ECC offers a medical assistant program and a degree in Health Information Management.

Doughnuts for Donations at ECC-Rolla

December 13, 2016 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Never underestimate the power of a sugary ring of dough. That’s the lesson nursing students at ECC-Rolla learned raising funds for charity this holiday season.

“The students had a pre-sale and took orders for the two weeks,” said Nursing Instructor Laura McDonald. “They also purchased additional doughnuts to sell in the commons.”

The response was overwhelming.

“Using just Krispy Kremes,” said McDonald, “they raised more than a thousand dollars!”

The funds raised went to help the Greater Rolla Area Charitable Enterprise, or G.R.A.C.E. The organization cares for the needs of those living in Edgar Springs, Newburg and Rolla School Districts who are in need of food or financial assistance to tide them over temporary difficulties.

Because of the success of the fundraiser, students were also able to buy new coats, gloves and hats to provide to elementary schools in Rolla, Salem, St. James, Cuba and Bourbon.

“It is a great feeling to know these students worked so hard to provide for two families with food and gift items, then to also provide ten coats to children throughout our local area. I am very proud of the students and their effort to be able to help so many people,” said McDonald.

Medical Assistant & Other Courses Added to Schedule

June 8, 2016 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College in Rolla will be offering classes starting this fall in four new academic areas. The courses are in Early Childhood Development, Medical Assistant, Agriculture, and Computer Information Systems which includes networking.

“We’re excited to provide more offerings for the students in the Rolla area,” noted Christina Ayers, director of the ECC Rolla centers. “We currently offer a transfer degree, a nursing program, and partnership programs with Rolla Technical Institute/Center in Auto Technology, Building Construction, EMT/Paramedic, and Radiologic Technology. Adding classes in these four subject areas will provide important job skills for students to assist local business and industry.”

ECC’s Medical Assistant program is designed to train professionals to meet the needs of an ever-expanding allied health field. The CIS/Networking classes will provide technical instruction in areas of computer networks, software applications and information management. Classes in both areas will be offered in the evening to benefit individuals who are currently working during the day but may want to further their education or even pursue a career change.

Introduction to Agriculture is another new course on the fall schedule at ECC in Rolla. This hybrid class is the first in a series of agriculture courses and will be held Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. More courses to support transfer education in agriculture will be added in the spring.

Students completing the coursework in Early Childhood Development will be prepared to enter the workforce as trained early childhood educators. Those classes will be offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings so students who may be currently working in a childcare setting can benefit from taking the courses. Coursework in Early Childhood Development prepares students for a variety of career paths, including study in a baccalaureate program.

Classes in Early Childhood Development, Medical Assistant, and Computer Information Systems have been structured in a manner that will allow a student attending full-time to complete the coursework in two years to achieve an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Registration is currently underway for ECC fall semester classes that begin Monday, August 22. To speak with an advisor call 573-466-4100, email ECCRolla@eastcentral.edu, or visit www.eastcentral.edu/rolla.

Tutor Training Sessions Scheduled in Rolla

October 1, 2015 | Campus News ECC Rolla

The East Central Area Literacy Council in partnership with East Central College is seeking individuals interested in serving as tutors for adult education and English language acquisition classes offered in Rolla.

No special academic degrees are required to be a tutor. People who can read and write, are willing to be trained, have patience, and are interested in helping others qualify to tutor.

Tutor training sessions will be held at the First Baptist Church located at 801 Cedar Street in Rolla. Volunteers can attend training on Wednesday, October 21 or Wednesday, October 28, from 9 a.m. until noon either day.

“For the English Language Acquisition program we need to prepare tutors to work with adults who are learning and developing the language skills necessary for living and working in the community, stated Diane Crowder, literacy council board member and tutor trainer. “Tutors will work one-on-one with individuals who either desire to acquire English language skills or prepare to take the test to earn citizenship. ELA tutors need to be fluent in English and sensitive to cultural differences.”

“At this time we have 22 people enrolled in the English Language Acquisition classes we are offering three mornings a week in Rolla,” noted Alice Whalen, director of adult education and literacy at ECC. “In order to accommodate more students we desperately need additional tutors.”

She stated that tutors are also needed for AEL classes held Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Missouri Career Center on South Bishop in Rolla and AEL classes held Tuesday and Thursday evenings at ECC’s facility at 2303 North Bishop.

“Our volunteer tutors have the opportunity to work with adults on reading, math, writing or high school equivalency test preparation,” Whalen said. “Following their three hours of training and orientation, the volunteers are just making a commitment of just a few hours a week to tutor someone.”

To reserve a seat at either tutor training session or to learn more about the free AEL and language acquisition classes offered throughout Phelps County, call 573-719-1323 or email ael@eastcentral.edu.

Volunteers must provide a criminal background check. That cost is $12 and must be paid by the volunteer. Background check forms will be available at the tutor training sessions.

Students Complete Intro to MIG Welding Class in Rolla

April 20, 2015 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College recently awarded certificates of completion to participants in its first Introduction to MIG Welding program in Rolla.

Nine students completed the eight-week program which was held in the Rolla Technical Institute welding lab. The training included OSHA10 certification, a National Career Readiness certificate, and five weeks of welding instruction.

According to Mardy Leathers, executive director of ECC’s Center for Workforce Development, the partnership between the college and RTI to provide this program is beneficial to the area.

“We are pleased to have an asset like RTI to work with and provide a much-needed program to enhance the welding skills for employees at area businesses. It is definitely a need the college is filling for the industry as we are offering this program at four locations in the region.”

The Rolla welding program will be offered on Monday and Thursday evenings. Registrations are now being accepted for upcoming classes. Qualified students will need to pay a $40 fee and supply certain materials.

The Introduction to MIG Welding program is funded by Missouri Manufacturing WINs, a U.S. Department of Labor grant-funded program that serves Trade Act participants as well as veterans, unemployed and underemployed individuals, and low-skilled persons in Missouri in manufacturing-related programs.

The MoManufacturingWINs program provides qualified students with low-cost or no-cost training in high-demand, high-growth industries at proven training institutions such as ECC. Personal assistance is provided along the way from trained, professional career coaches and other college staff. In addition, recognized certifications such as the National Career Readiness Certificate can be obtained, giving students opportunities to enhance their employability and competitiveness in the job market.

NineIntroduction to MIG Welding class students — Nine people recently completed the Introduction to MIG Welding class offered at Rolla Technical Institute through a grant program administered by East Central College. Shown, front row, from left, are: Danny Wools, Bill Lloyd, Devin Woodall, Cody Leathers, and Jason Blanc. Second row, from left, are: Shelly Steiger, Logan Hetrick, Steve Campbell, and Gene Jesteadt. Back row, Cord Jenkins, RTI instructor.

This workforce solution is funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Alzheimer’s the Topic of April 8 Forum in Rolla

March 31, 2015 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Alzheimer’s the Topic of April 8 Forum at ECC in Rolla

The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is expected to escalate rapidly in coming years as the baby boom generation ages. To help families deal with this issue, East Central College-Rolla will host a free forum on Alzheimer’s Wednesday evening, April 8.

“Best Friends – Caring for our Loved Ones with Dementia” will be the topic at the 5:30 p.m. opening presentation by Judy Crane. She is regional nurse consultant with Americare Assisted Living. Crane’s presentation will be followed by several breakout sessions.

All activities will be held at ECC’s main Rolla location at 500 Forum Drive (at Rolla Technical Center).

Stephanie Jost, community relations manager with Alternative Hospice will discuss the various choices in care available to families. Another breakout session will center on handling the challenges in the care of individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s presented by Gretchen Rex, manager of New Hope Behavioral Center at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. Tina Gosh and Whitney Pelton with Americare will discuss creating memory boxes.

The April 8 event is the second in a series of free forums on issues affecting families hosted by the psychology and sociology departments at ECC. Dr. Bill Cunningham, associate professor of sociology, noted that activities will wrap up at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The event is open to the public at no charge through the financial support of the ECC Foundation. Refreshments will be provided by Dunsford Court Assisted Living of Sullivan. Individuals with questions can call 636-584-6658 or email: wendy.pecka@eastcentral.edu.

Cunningham noted that the forum series is designed to let families know about the resources available in the community. “Every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. We want to connect people with the experts in the field who can offer support and provide some direction as they struggle with this disease,” he said.