Category: ECC Rolla

Trustees Approve $22.6 Million Balanced Budget

June 29, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

The East Central College Board of Trustees Monday, June 26, approved a $22.6 million spending plan, that includes a salary increase for employees.

The 2024 fiscal year balanced budget projects $22,617,484 in both revenue and expenditures. The college’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

In the 2023 fiscal year, there was $21,251,200 in both actual revenue and in expenditures.

Included in the budget is a 4 percent increase in employee compensation, an area that the college has been addressing, according to ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer.

He said that the budget development process requires a lot of communication across all areas of the College.

“This budget process was a team effort by all divisions and departments,” Bauer added. “While we could not fund all requests, the priority continued to be on employee compensation and other expenses related directly to students.

“As always, we will continue throughout the fiscal year to ensure a balance between actual revenues and expenses,” he said.

Local, state, and tuition and fees revenues are projected to make up 95.49 percent of our total college revenues this year. The percentage breakdown of those revenues is:

Local — 37.27 percent
State — 23.70 percent
Tuition and Fees — 34.52 percent

Anticipated revenue for tuition and fees this fiscal year is $7,808,233, an increase of $398,485 over last year’s budgeted tuition and fees revenue of $7,409,748.

Locally, budgeted revenue is expected to increase $367,716 from the previous budgeted amount of $8,428,974 last year to $8,061,258.

State aid is projected to increase slightly to $5,360,734 from the previous year’s budgeted amount of $5,290,485, a total increase of $70,249.

Welding Students Complete Internship at G.H. Tool & Mold

June 20, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Four East Central College welding graduates completed an internship during their final semester, where they thrived while practicing hands-on skills and learning from professionals.

James Baxter, Macey Hargrove, Joelle Phillips and Erica Stockell were welcomed into the G. H. Tool & Mold plant in Washington for four weeks during the spring as part of their Certificate of Achievement in Welding. Each of the four students graduated from ECC in May, and they all received scholarships through the Metallica Scholars Initiative.

According to Bobby Bland, welding program coordinator, the goal of the internship was to learn and experience welding in a practical setting, and witness how a manufacturing plant operates.

“I am very thankful that a company like G.H. Tool has partnered with us to provide our students experience with working on real-world projects and getting the feel of working in a plant with skilled welders,” he said. “As instructors, we can talk about the experience all we want in class, but for students to be in that production environment it is higher education at its finest.”

Employees of G.H. Tool were impressed with the skills the students already had when they walked into the plant, and their enthusiasm for the trade. From the first day of the internship, G.H.’s experienced tradesmen were eager to teach the students even more techniques necessary in a manufacturing setting.

“It was wonderful to see that kind of work ethic from these young people,” said toolmaker Kent Turnbough. “They gave me a real boost, and we all enjoyed working with them.”

“This has been a great experience for everyone involved, and these students have a very bright future,” added Julie Scannell, G.H. Tool human resources director. “We really value our ongoing partnership with ECC, and everything the College has done to respond to the needs of our local manufacturers.”

Student Experience

Phillips, Rolla, worked in several areas of the G. H. Tool plant and learned from every employee she worked with.

“The people have been wonderful, the work enjoyable and the availability of new things to learn has been never ending,” she said. “The number of skills I’ve been able to add to my belt, and words of advice I’ve received from these wonderful people, has been astounding.”

The skills the students experienced during the four-week internship include working with blueprints, sandblasting, using a laser welder; and learning to use tools like micrometers, edge finders, calipers and profilometers.

“Any area I wanted to learn more about, I was allowed and encouraged to go,” Phillips commented. “This internship is something I will always remember and will now be a major part of how I will function as a worker in the future.”

In addition to picking up new skills, the students expanded upon what they already learned about in the welding program through hands-on practice and by watching professionals.

“I observed more comfortable and efficient ways to weld, more specifically different ways to hold the torch, how to rest my hands, or ways to hold the filler metal,” Phillips said. “These simple tips have helped me tremendously and have made me a more efficient welder.

“There was always a way to improve or learn something new and even coming to the end of it I was still learning new things,” she added.

ECC’s Welding Program

ECC offers several affordable options to train for a career in welding, including a Certificate of Achievement and a Certificate of Specialization, both two semesters and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding.

The College also offers a 16-week Fast Track Welding program, in which students meet four days or evenings every week for four months and can earn a Certificate of Specialization.

All ECC’s welding courses are taught in the state-of-the-art welding lab in our Business and Industry Center on the Union campus. There are scholarships and financial aid available.

For more information about the ECC welding program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/career-technical-education/welding/, or contact Bland at 636-649-5810 or bobby.bland@eastcentral.edu.

ECC Instructors Earn Inaugural Means Innovation Award

June 9, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

The team of Accounting and Business instructors at East Central College piloted a course delivery method that removes barriers for their students and allows them to choose how they learn.

The HyFlex delivery model earned Lisa Hanneken and Tanner French the inaugural Donald R. and Barbara D. Means Faculty Innovation Award for their use of technology and flexibility to improve education at ECC.

This method, fully implemented in the two programs in the 2022-23 academic year, gives students three options to learn — in person, remotely via live video stream at the regular class time, or online watching recorded video when it is convenient to them, also called “asynchronously.”

Students can use any combination of class deliveries at any time — that means they can attend any class in person, attend any class remotely during class time, or attend any online outside the normal class time.

Hanneken, who also serves as the director of the programs, and French have been developing and practicing the HyFlex model before fully implemented it into their curriculum this past academic year, according to Dr. Robyn Walter, vice president of academic affairs.

“The development and pilot of the HyFlex model demonstrates innovation and flexibility in the true spirit of meeting students where they are in their educational and personal life journey,” Walter said.

Hanneken added that the HyFlex removes barriers for learners with nontraditional schedules. The goal is to serve both traditional daytime students and students who typically have full-time jobs during the day.

“Originally, we had a general idea of a ‘multi-mode’ course but quickly learned through research that other colleges were also struggling with this problem and that some four-year schools were adopting a HyFlex option,” she said. “Gathering additional information about the various methods used, we came up with something we thought would be the best fit for ECC students.”

That led the instructors to pilot the delivery method during accounting and business courses during the 2022-23 academic year.

“The students loved this option, and many would not yet have graduated if the option was not available,” Hanneken said. “Also, the pilot program showed increased enrollment, retention and success rates.”

She added that students already have benefited from the new course delivery method.

“Personally, I found the HyFlex pilot program extremely helpful,” one student said. “It enabled me to better balance my daily schedule with my classes. It came in handy when I was going to be out of town and was able to just do the videos later instead of missing the meetings.”

Means Innovation Award

Walter explained that the Donald R. and Barbara D. Means Faculty Innovation Award recognizes faculty who improve the quality of education at ECC.

Donald Means, with the support of Barbara Means, was a charter trustee, and his service goes back even further when he and others worked diligently to bring the college into existence in the 1960s. Donald Means was an ECC charter trustee and served 24 years as an ECC Trustee from 1968 to 1992. He was Board secretary from 1968 until 1984, and then served four years as president of the board.

“The Means family values higher education, student achievement, and are true partners in this process. I am grateful for their generosity,” Walter added.

The ECC Faculty Development Committee evaluates Means Faculty Innovation Award nominees and makes a recommendation to the vice president of academic affairs.

The committee examines the creativity of the innovation, impact on the quality of teaching and learning at ECC, transferability and potential for adoption in other courses, the ability of the innovation to engage more students in the learning process, and the impact it has on learning and on the student experience.

Hanneken said the Means Faculty Innovation Award was unexpected.

“We were simply doing what makes sense to ensure our students are able to acquire the best education possible, without negatively impacting the other aspects of their lives such as work and family responsibilities,” she said.

“The Means family has been very generous in providing this award to ECC in order to promote innovation for our students,” Hanneken added. “It will be exciting to see what new and creative things this award brings to ECC.”

ECC and Logan University Agreement Provides Path to Doctorate

June 7, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College and Logan University signed an agreement that streamlines students’ path toward a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

ECC and Logan, in Chesterfield, entered into a 2+4 agreement for students who earn their Associate of Arts degree in the STEM Pathway from ECC, and then transfer seamlessly to Logan’s Bachelor of Science degree program. This is the first 2+4 agreement entered into by ECC.

Under the agreement, ECC students complete their STEM AA degree, with an emphasis in biology, and then enter Logan’s BS in Life Science (BSLS) program. Students then work toward a BS degree and the admissions requirements for the Doctor of Chiropractic program.

“This transfer agreement represents a significant opportunity for ECC students who are interested in pursuing a career in chiropractic medicine,” said Dr. Robyn Walter, ECC vice president of academic affairs.

“By providing a clear and efficient pathway to advanced study at Logan University, this agreement will help students achieve their career goals and contribute to the growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals.”

Dr. Kristina Petrocco-Napuli, dean of the college of chiropractic at Logan University, said Logan is, “honored to partner with another top-notch institution to provide students with high-quality educational opportunities.”

“The ability to fast track education is extremely beneficial in today’s competitive workforce landscape,” she added. “This partnership benefits both schools and provides a direct career path into chiropractic or another health sciences field.”

Logan University has offered chiropractic education since 1935, including the Doctor of Chiropractic. It also offers masters and bachelor’s degrees online and on campus. To learn more, visit www.logan.edu.

To learn more about ECC, visit www.eastcentral.edu, or call 636-584-6588.

Students Named to the Spring 2023 Dean’s List

June 6, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College recognizes students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement each semester.

Upon completion of between six and 11 spring semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.5 or greater, students are acknowledged on the Dean’s List.

There were 212 students named to the Dean’s List from the Spring 2023 semester.

Students Named to the Spring 2023 Vice President’s List

June 6, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Each semester, East Central College recognizes students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement.

Upon completion of at least 12 semester credit hours with a Spring semester grade point average between 3.50 and 3.84, students are acknowledged by placement on the Vice President’s List.

For the Spring 2023 semester, there were 197 students on the list.

President’s List for Spring 2023 Semester

June 6, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College recognizes students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement each semester.

Upon completion of at least 12 Spring semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.85 or greater, students are acknowledged on the President’s List.

There were 130 students named to the list from the Spring 2023 semester.

Finish Line Grant Program Helps Reduce College Debt

June 2, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

A state grant is now available to help Missouri residents pay off college debt and return to the classroom.

The Missouri Scholarship and Loan Foundation’s (MSLF) Finish Line Degree Completion Grant is designed to assist former students who have an unpaid balance at East Central College and other Missouri colleges and universities, making them unable to register for classes.

The MSLF will pay up to $3,000 toward a past due balance to provide former students with the ability to complete a degree or program. The application deadline is June 30.

To be eligible, Missouri residents must have a past due balance that is approximately six months or older and is preventing them from completing a degree program.

Additionally, Finish Line candidates must re-enroll, or transfer, to ECC or another eligible Missouri school; they must have completed half their program of study and have a last previously known estimated family income (EFC) of $12,000 or less.

Visit www.moslf.org to apply for the Finish Line Degree Completion Grant. For more information, contact MSLF at info@moslf.org or 636-787-2677.

Nursing Grads Presented with Awards at Pinning Ceremony

May 23, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla Images

Six East Central College Nursing Program graduates were recognized during a pinning ceremony May 13 for their hard work in the classroom and during clinicals.

Two students, Jozlyn Bolte, ECC-Rolla; and Kelsey Blackwell, ECC in Union, were presented the Outstanding Nursing Student awards.

To be considered for the ECC Outstanding Nursing Student award, the college has had to make a difference in the life of the student.

For some cases, had ECC not been in their community, they most likely would not have realized the dream of becoming a nurse. The award winners also display success in the classroom and the clinical setting.

Jozlyn Bolte

Jozlyn Bolte is this year’s East Central College Rolla Outstanding Nursing Student. Pictured, from left, are Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Bolte, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.

Kelsey Blackwell

Nursing student Kelsey Blackwell is the recipient of the Union East Central College Outstanding Nursing Student Award. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Blackwell, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; and Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant.

Spirit of Excellence Awards

Four nursing students — Avery Akers, Nathaniel Wissman, Kelsea Smith and Kyleigh Payne — were presented with Spirit of Clinical Excellence awards from the college’s community health care partners.

Each year, Mercy Hospital Washington, Phelps Health in Rolla and Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan present nursing graduates with Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards during the pinning ceremony marking the completion of the program.

Akers received the Phelps Health award, Wissman received the Mercy award, and Smith and Payne each received a Spirit of Clinical Excellence Award from Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan.

The awards were presented to the graduates by ECC Nursing faculty from Union and Rolla.

To be consider for the Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards, the graduate nurse must demonstrate: characteristics of caring and compassion; the spirit of inquiry; exceptional critical thinking and decision making; and superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.

Avery Akers

East Central College nursing Avery Akers received the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing award this year. She is pictured with, from left, Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Kait Roy, Phelps Health nurse recruiter; Akers, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.

Kelsea Smith

The Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award was presented to East Central College Rolla nursing student Kelsea Smith. Pictured, from left, are Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Cassie Friday, Missouri Baptist nurse manager; Heather Sluis, Missouri Baptist clinical educator; Smith, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Tiffanie Alfermann, Missouri Baptist assistant nurse manager; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.

Nathaniel Wissman

Nathaniel Wissman received the Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Wissman, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; and Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant.

Kyleigh Payne

East Central College Union nursing student Kyleigh Payne is the Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Tiffanie Alfermann, Missouri Baptist assistant nurse manager; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Cassie Friday, Missouri Baptist nurse manager; Payne, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant; and Heather Sluis, Missouri Baptist clinical educator.

Nursing Program Recognizes 36 Graduates During Pinning Ceremony

May 20, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

There were 36 East Central College Nursing Program graduates recognized during a pinning ceremony on May 13.

The ECC Nursing Program held its formal ceremony for its Union and Rolla nursing students prior to graduation in the Donald Shook Student Center. Family and friends of graduates, faculty, staff and administration attended the pinning ceremony.

The pinning ceremony is a time-honored nursing program tradition that signifies the nursing graduate’s initiation into the sisterhood and brotherhood of nurses. Students receive pins that are unique to the ECC Nursing Program.

The pinning ceremony opening remarks were given by Dean of Health Science and Director of Nursing Nancy Mitchell, followed by a greeting by ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer. A student welcome was given by Class of 2023 graduate Kelsea Smith, a Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient.

The guest speaker for the ceremony was ECC Rolla Nursing instructor Jon Elias.

The program closed with student remarks from 2023 graduate Nathaniel Wissman, Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient. Wissman also performed a special piano solo during the ceremony, “Fantaisie-Impromptu (Op.66)” by Frédéric Chopin.

The program concluded with closing comments given by ECC Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Robyn Walter.

The Nursing program graduates are:

Ginger A. Adams, Cody W. Jones, Avery D. Akers, Hannah E. Kitson, Hannah R. Barrett, Callan G. Mohesky, Kelsey R. Blackwell, Hannah E. Olive. Jozlyn L. Bolte, Kyleigh E. Payne, Isabel L. Bramel, Justin M. Penn-Lavely, Scottia M. Burrows, Samantha Peterson, Jessie O. Downey, Amanda Redmon, Cheyenne F. Durbin, Alyssa M. Rinehart, Hannah L. Eckelkamp, MacKenzie C. Rolf, Lauren E. Ely, Jessica M. Schatz, Shayla A. Goddard, Branden T. Shearin, Kirsten A. Golden, Keri M. Simmons, Kailey M. Gupton, Kelsea M. Smith, Cahliah S. Hammonds, Nathan W. Temme, Andrea Hayes, Kaylee N. Vasquez, Matty L. Inman, Haley M. Welch, Emily N. Johnson and Nathaniel Wissman.

Union Nursing Graduates

Rolla Nursing Graduates

To learn more about the ECC Nursing program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/allied-health/nursing, or email Nancy Mitchell, Director of Nursing and Dean of Health Science, at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu.