Category: ECC Rolla

ECC Instructor Interviewed about Car Insurance

April 13, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Lisa Hanneken, coordinator and assistant professor of the business and accounting programs at East Central College, recently was featured in the “Ask the Experts” section of a WalletHub.com article focusing on car insurance in Missouri.

In the article, WalletHub stated that the best insurance companies in Missouri have high customer satisfaction, streamlined claims processing and helpful policy management tools. WalletHub rated insurance companies based on user ratings on the WalletHub site.

Hanneken was asked in the interview why car insurance laws are different from state to state.

“The main reason the law and regulations tend to differ is that typically each state has its own regulatory agency,” she answered. “This means each state will oversee the insurance industry for their state and may be involved in the legal process of lawmaking or regulatory rules.”

Hanneken also was asked to list the most important things to look for when shopping for car insurance.

“As someone who has previously worked in the insurance industry, it is one area I carefully research and check into the details because I have seen people who were totally blindsided after a claim,” she said. “Everyone needs to spend the time to ensure they understand what coverage may be required by law, as well as what the policy they are considering really covers to avoid surprises later.”

Hanneken also provided factors to consider when looking for car insurance. To read those factors and the full article, visit here. https://wallethub.com/car-insurance/missouri#lisa_hanneken

ECC Partners With PCSD in Law Enforcement Training Program

April 5, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

A new partnership at East Central College will offer law enforcement training in the Rolla area that fits students’ schedules and provides the opportunity for financial aid and services.

The inaugural basic training class of the ECC Phelps Law Enforcement Training Center (LETC) will begin in August. It was developed through a collaboration between the College and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD).

ECC Rolla Director Christina Ayres said the one-year certificate program combines theory, experiential learning, and practical applications to prepare students for a career as a peace officer. Students who successfully complete this Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) approved program are eligible to take the Missouri Peace Officer License Exam (MPOLE) to become a licensed peace officer.

Students also have the option to take additional general education coursework to complete an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Law Enforcement degree.

Courses will be taught in the evenings and Saturdays during the fall, spring and summer semesters at ECC in Rolla, with breaks in between. That allows students to continue their employment while attending training.

Applications are due June 1 for the sessions that begin Aug. 21. There is a selective admission process utilized for students who apply for the program. For more information about the program, visit our Law Enforcement program page, or contact LETC@eastcentral.edu or 573-202-6960.

Local Program

Ayres has been working with Phelps County Sheriff Mike Kirn and Rolla Police Capt. Will Loughridge since August 2021 in preparation for this new program. She explained that a basic law enforcement training program in Rolla alleviates barriers for employers and future officers.

“Local agencies have seen a gap in the employment pipeline,” she said. “This partnership will provide a local training option reducing additional costs for travel and lodging out of the area.”

“The location of the basic training academy in Rolla will reduce lengthy commutes,” Loughridge added. “It will allow people in our community to attend training close to home, while still allowing them to work and take care of their families until they transition to a career with a police organization.”

Kirn said that a local program will bolster the ranks of the PCSD and police agencies in the Phelps County area.

“This academy will allow local law enforcement agencies access to quality candidates from our area. Young people who were raised here will take more interest in their community,” he said. “People raised here and trained here will stay here.”

“This academy will give us a chance to witness the student’s drive, integrity and work ethic,” Kirn added. “Having this knowledge will allow us to make better decisions when hiring.”

Ayres noted that LETC students will have access to federal financial aid, scholarships and services, including tutoring and advising, that all ECC students are provided.

“This is what we do — we have services and resources already in place to support student learning,” she said.

The state requires 600 training hours for a basic training program. The ECC Phelps LETC basic training program exceeds state requirements by providing 700 contact hours to further enhance the skills and knowledge of students.

Collaboration

The “theory” and classroom segments of the curriculum will be taught at ECC Rolla North, located at 2303 North Bishop, and the hands-on “experiential learning” will utilize facilities and equipment provided by the PCSD.

“Partnering with the sheriff’s department is a perfect example of carrying out our mission of empowering students and enriching our communities through education.” Ayres said. “By addressing this need together, we have the opportunity to maximize each other’s strengths — delivering quality education and support services with highly-trained faculty in well-equipped facilities.”

Students who take general education courses, along with electives, to complete an AAS in Law Enforcement have the option to transfer for a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree in law enforcement provides a foundation for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, pre-law, public administration, emergency management and more.

The degree program could have a remarkable impact on law enforcement in the region, according to Loughridge.

“The college degree path offered through the ECC Phelps LETC is a significant benefit to attendees and future employers,” he said. “Research shows officers with a college degree often have less use of force incidents and less complaints, which limits liability to the organization.”

Loughridge added that the ECC Phelps LETC will assist in keeping law enforcement officers in the community as a pipeline for agencies, such as the Rolla Police Department.

“There is a potential to have nearly all new officers coming out of the academy with an associate degree and their law enforcement certificate,” he said.

New Rolla PTK Members Inducted, Win Regional Awards

April 1, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

The Beta Omicron Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at East Central College in Rolla inducted seven new members into the organization so far this year.

Cole Halfaker, ECC student services specialist, was the keynote speaker during the ceremony held March 5.

The students inducted into the honor society were Briannah Tiarks, Charli Olszewski, Donna Neulinger, Jessica Richardson, Ezra Dunn, Alaina Sy and Shanna Hawkins. The ECC Rolla PTK advisor is Dr. Elizabeth Winters-Rozema.

PTK is an international honor society for two-year colleges. Members pursue activities that fall under the direction of the society’s hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship.

To be eligible for induction, students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.4 for one semester and maintain a 3.2 GPA after their induction. Students can be pursuing any major, degree or certificate.

Other students could still be eligible to join but haven’t yet. Students invited to be in the PTK can still do so through the end of the year. For more information about PTK in Rolla, contact Winters-Rozema at 573-466-4084 or elizabeth.rozema@eastcentral.edu.

Region Awards

Rolla’s Beta Omicron Phi chapter, project and advisor won awards at the 2023 Heartland Region Hallmark Awards also held in March.

Winters-Rozema received third-place honors for the Distinguished Advisor Award category. The Chapter was named a Four-Star Chapter, and it was recognized with an Honorable Mention for the Honors in Action program. Beta Omicron Phi also placed fourth in the region in the College Project.

ECC Alumnus Alex Fees Will be Commencement Speaker

March 21, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College graduate, news correspondent and Today in St. Louis multi-skilled journalist Alex Fees will address the Class of 2023 at the Saturday, May 13, commencement ceremony.

Fees, who originally is from Union, attended ECC from 1982-84, graduating with an associate of arts degree in journalism. Prior to that, he graduated from Union High School in 1982.

“I am honored to be asked to be the commencement speaker at East Central College,” he said. “My careers in television news and communications all started at ECC so many years ago — I feel like I am coming full circle.”

The commencement ceremony will be inside the ECC gym in the Donald D. Shook Student Center on the Union campus at 11:30 a.m.

Fees was the editor of The Cornerstone student newspaper at ECC, and he was elected to the student senate, serving as president. He added that his brother, Syd, also served as student senate president at ECC nine years before he did.

Fees noted that he will talk with students about his life before and after attending ECC, including his transfer to Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) in Cape Girardeau.

Fees’ Background

At SEMO, Fees was the editor of the university newspaper, the Capaha Arrow, now called the Arrow, and he was an intern at KTVO, Kirksville, which led him to a career in television.

Fees worked at TV news stations in Iowa and Nebraska before returning to the St. Louis area in 1998, when he became a freelance journalist for 5 on Your Side at KSDK, St. Louis, and several other networks and shows.

“During that time, I also freelanced as a field producer, periodically, for ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNBC, the Rachael Ray Show, Inside Edition, and the Food Network, among others,” he said.

Fees then went to work as a communications specialist in the Mehlville School District and then as the executive communications director for the Rockwood School District.

In 2020, Fees returned to 5 On Your Side and in March 2022, he accepted a full-time role as a multi-skilled journalist on the Today in St. Louis program.

Fees and his wife, Rachel, live in Brentwood with their sons Jacob, 13, and Daniel, 11.

“We also share a home with an 85-pound lab, collie and St. Bernard named Allie, who is your best friend; and a cat named Autumn. . . who is not,” he said.

ECC Rolla to Host Health Careers Exploration Day

February 24, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College in Rolla will host a Health Careers Exploration Day to provide area high school students with a hands-on learning experience about the College’s Allied Health programs.

The event will be Wednesday, March 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at ECC Main in the Rolla Technical Center.

Joannie Blakely, Rolla Nursing Program Coordinator, said there will be opportunities for high school students to explore each of ECC Rolla’s Allied Health programs — Nursing, Paramedic Technology, Radiologic Technology and Surgical Technology.

“The students will participate in hands-on modules, and we also will have an interactive simulation with the students,” she said. “Rolla has never hosted this type of event, so we are excited to bring it here. Our faculty, students and staff will be participating in the activities.”

To participate, RSVP to Blakely by March 1, at joannie.blakely@eastcentral.edu or 573-202-6948.

College Hosts Successful Academic Challenge — Winner Announced

February 20, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla Images

There were 103 students from five high schools who competed in the annual Academic Challenge for Engineering and Science.

The competition was designed to challenge the best and brightest high school students. All five varsity teams will advance to the sectionals at Missouri S&T in Rolla. In addition to the five varsity teams, there were two junior varsity, or at-large teams, that also participated in the Academic Challenge.

Teams from Linn (Osage County R-II), Washington (varsity and junior varsity), Warrenton (varsity and junior varsity), Houston and St. Francis Borgia Regional high schools attended.

The students participated in a battery of tests in seven subject areas: math, biology, chemistry, physics, English, computational science and engineering graphics.

The tests are taken individually, and prizes are awarded for top individual scores in each subject area and for top team scores.

Alison Tucker, STEM recruitment & success coordinator, who coordinated this year’s event, said the tests are written by college-level faculty, and are designed to present a challenge to the brightest students.

The Challenge is divided into large (1,500), intermediate (700) and small (300) school categories, with the top team and individual winners from the competition at ECC advancing to the sectional competition.

Winners

The overall team winners for each school category, are:

300 Category

Linn High School, first place, 500 points.

700 Category

Saint Francis Borgia Regional High School, 484.3 points, first place; and Houston High School, 474.1 points, second place.

1,500 Category

Warrenton High School, 422.6, first place; and Washington High School, 418.4 points, second place.

Individual winners

Student winners from each category and in each subject, are:

300 Category (all from Osage R-II/Linn High School)

Biology — Annaliese Bowser and Vivian Baker, tied for first; Arlyn Martin, second; and Kiana Hostetler, third.

Chemistry — Marrisa Ghelert, first; Arlyn Martin and Lily Strope, tied for second; and Ramsie Tschappler, third.

Computational Science — Levi Crane, first; Gabe Branson, second; and Mia Jaegers, third.

Engineering Graphics — Levi Crane, first; Gabe Branson, second; and Kiana Hostetler, third.

English — Mia Jaegers, first; Annaliese Bowser, second; and Vivian Baker, third.

Mathematics — Trevor Murray, first; Lily Strope, first; and Marrisa Ghelert, Linn, third.

Physics — Elijah Baker, first; Ramsie Tschappler, second; and Trevor Murray, third.

700 Category

Biology — Kristen Ely, Houston, first; Miah Bressie, Houston, and Tyler Dill, Borgia, tied for second; and Ava Fischer, Borgia, third.

Chemistry — Owen Wells, Houston, first; Zach Posinski, Borgia, second; and Lily Johnson, Houston, third.

Computational Science — Brody Adkison, Houston, first; Jackson Comely , Borgia, and Stone Jackson, Houston, tied for second.

Engineering Graphics — Drew Eckhoff, Borgia, first; Aiden Kelly, Houston, second; and Sam Dunard, Borgia, third.

English — Andy Durham, Houston, first; Jack Dunard, Borgia, second; and Brandon Jones, Borgia, third.

Mathematics — Lexie Meyer, Borgia, and Jack Dunard, Borgia, tied for first; Lily Johnson, Houston, second; and Brandon Jones, Borgia, and Sam Dunard, Borgia, tied for third.

Physics — Andy Durham, Houston, first; Ben Cook, Houston, second; and Addison Cook, Houston, third.

1500 Category

Biology — Leah Wheeler, Washington, first; Emma Wheeler, Washington, second; and Grant Beuchner, Warrenton, third.

Chemistry — Luke Rausch, Warrenton, first; Dominic Johnson, Warrenton, second; and Lilly Schmitt, Washington, third.

Computational Science — Roy Briggs, Warrenton, first; Micheal Hotra, Washington, second; and Isaac Lough, Washington, third.

Engineering Graphics — Tyler Eckelkamp, Washington, first; Nikolas Hellebusch, Washington, second; and Owen Thompson, Warrenton, third.

English — Alice Briggs, Warrenton, first; Roy Briggs, Warrenton, second; and Abby Palmer, Warrenton, third.

Mathematics — Tyler Eckelkamp, Washington, first; Isaac Lough, Washington, second; and Kellen Scheimeier, Washington, and Claire Hellebusch, Washington, tied for third.

Physics — Owen Thompson, Warrenton, first; Katie Shramek, Warrenton, Kellen Scheimeier, Washington, and Nick Holdmeyer, Washington, tied for second; and Nate Kutsch, Warrenton and Grant Beuchner, Warrenton, tied for third.

Nominations Sought for Outstanding ECC Alumni

February 15, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

There are many great East Central College alumni making a difference in their communities, and throughout the world.

And now is the perfect time to recognize those former students.

Nominations are being sought for the 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award presented by the East Central College Foundation.

To be considered for the award, nominees must have completed a college credit course at ECC at some point in their educational journey.

According to Bridgette Kelch, Foundation executive director, nominees should be viewed by their peers as leaders in their field, with a demonstrated commitment to their community. Residency within the college district is not required.

“Our annual Outstanding Alumni award is the perfect way to recognize an alum’s commitment to their career and community,” Kelch said. “We know that many of our alumni are deserving of this prestigious award and are reaching out to the community for help to find those deserving individuals.”

Nominees should demonstrate outstanding contributions to ECC or the community, and nominees must have an ongoing commitment to ECC, she added.

Guidelines

Current candidates for public office and past recipients are not eligible for the award.

To nominate a former ECC student, write an explanation in 500 words or less as to why the person is worthy of consideration. The explanation should accompany the nomination. Nominations must be received by Friday, March 31. All nominations received within the last three years are eligible.

The nomination form can be accessed from the webpage: www.eastcentral.edu/alumni/alumni-of-the-year/. People can also email foundation@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6505 to request the form for more information.

The recipient will be selected by the ECC Foundation Alumni Committee. A formal invitation to the 2023 Commencement Ceremonies will be sent to the honoree and a plaque will be displayed at the ECC Union campus in his or her honor.

NISOD Excellence Awards Presented to ECC Employees

February 13, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Three East Central College employees are being recognized for their dedication to students, the College and their coworkers with 2023 NISOD (National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development) Excellence Awards.

The ECC award recipients are Stacy Bellville, administrative assistant for the vice president of academic affairs; Jennifer Higerd, assistant professor of art and the Art Gallery curator; and Alice Whalen, director of adult education and literacy.

NISOD is a professional development provider that offers programs and resources for community and technical colleges. Member colleges can recognize employees through the Excellence Awards, which are presented to faculty and staff who are doing extraordinary work on their campuses.

Award recipients receive a unique silver medallion engraved with The University of Texas and NISOD insignias and adorned with a burnt orange ribbon. NISOD is based out of the University of Texas in Austin.

Stacy Bellville

Bellville has worked in many different offices within academic affairs, and in each case, she has approached her work with professionalism, enthusiasm, passion and humor.

“She embodies the College’s value of service every day. She is always ready to answer questions and deals patiently with her colleagues,” Bellville’s nomination reads. “Stacy is invaluable in helping with assessment activities. She also serves with diligence, integrity, and thoroughness as the recorder for collective bargaining sessions.

“Her enthusiasm and dedication to ECC go beyond her work as an administrative assistant.”

Bellville has represented the ECC Classified Staff in various capacities for many years, bringing that same passion to helping organize an array campus events from in-service activities to holiday parties and everything in-between. She reinforces a sense of collaboration among all employees.

“Stacy is the go-to person for many, not just for her knowledge of the inner workings of the college and her competence, but for her encouragement and support.”

Jennifer Higerd

Higerd has been a valued faculty member for 12 years, serving as an advocate and mentor for art students. In her role as Art Gallery Curator, she exposes students and the ECC community to master artists of various media from all over the country.

She serves ECC through her commitment to assessment. As one of the three faculty chairs of the Instructional Assessment Committee, she has made Annual Assessment Reporting and Planning (AARP) a priority.

“Jenn’s commitment to ECC was showcased when she served as one of the tri-chairs for the Higher Learning Commission comprehensive evaluation visit,” Higerd’s nomination states. “In this role, she was instrumental in preparing faculty and staff for the site visit and in writing the assurance argument. Her hard work helped guide ECC to a successful re-accreditation.”

Whether it is creating professional development opportunities, meeting with faculty and staff regularly — one example is her monthly meeting with arts and sciences’ dean, department chairs and coordinators — or co-leading ECC faculty and staff through the first comprehensive review of general education, her passion for assessment is inspirational.

Alice Whalen

Whalen has served as the AEL program director since 2014. Alice has expanded the program from offering AEL programming in six communities in 2014 to 13 communities throughout the ECC service region today. The AEL program offers day and evening HiSET classes and English language acquisition courses, serving an average of 300 individuals per year.

She developed a program with WEG Transformers, Washington, to provide over 30 non-native English-speaking employees with classes to enhance their language skills. In 2015, under her leadership and direction, Whalen worked with the South Central Missouri Literacy Council in Phelps Country to add four counties, Crawford, Gasconade, Franklin and Montgomery, to create the East Central Literacy Council. The Council supports the ECC AEL program and raises funds to cover additional AEL student expenses.

Whalen is the AEL representative for the Missouri Association for Workforce Development (MAWD) as the Adult Education and Literacy representative and serves as a MAWD board member, as the Public Information chair. In 2022, she presented at the MAWD conference and the Missouri Association for Adult Continuing and Community Education conference about the effects of poverty on students titled “Poverty from an Insider’s Perspective.”

“As ECC focuses its attention on adult learners, Alice is the co-chair of a committee to design a process map for AEL students to matriculate into college programming,” her nomination reads.

“Alice knows the importance of community involvement and understands how multiple barriers effect a student’s ability to start and complete their education. Alice’s positive energy at the college and throughout the ECC service region is contagious, as she strives to make sure anyone who wants to enhance their lives through education, can do so.”

Trustees Approve Fall 2023 Tuition and Students Fees

February 10, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

The East Central College Board of Trustees on Feb. 6 approved an increase in tuition costs beginning in the fall 2023 semester, which maintains tuition lower than the federal Pell Grant threshold.

There will be an 8 percent tuition increase across the board for students who live within the taxing district, outside the taxing district, out of state and for international students. The amount paid in student fees also is higher to meet technology and activity cost increases.

ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer said the increase was determined by a tuition sub-committee of the budget advisory committee, which presented its findings to the College’s administration.

Inflation at the state and national levels has caused operation costs to increase significantly over the past year.

“One of the challenges that everyone is facing is the high inflationary environment that we’re in,” Bauer said. “This increase allows us to continue to invest in our students and provide the technology and instruction tools that they deserve.”

He added that the impact on the students with the greatest financial need will be minimal.

“The students with the greatest financial needs receive Federal Pell Grant,” Bauer said. “The Pell Grant will increase next year, and tuition will remain below the maximum Pell Grant threshold.”

In addition, the Missouri A+ maximum pays $196 per credit hour, totaling $5,880 annually. Tiers 1 and 2 in-district tuition and general fees for a full-time student will remain below this A+ maximum threshold.

ECC also awards over $300,000 in academic and need-based scholarships annually, and the ECC Foundation provides more than $180,000 in scholarships to more than 120 students each year.

Bauer explained that the subcommittee on tuition recommended this increase for long-term planning and counter a projection of slow enrollment growth, adding that both state and national data show a decline in high school population in the years to come.

Trustees were presented with the new tuition plan in February so changes can be made public before students can begin registering in March. Registration for fall 2023 classes begins March 20 for current students and March 27 for new students.

Bauer added that community colleges in Missouri have yet to release tuition rates for the 2023-24 school year, but he anticipates that ECC will again be in the “middle of the pack.”

Tuition Tiers

There are three tiers of tuition at ECC. East Central College. Tier 1 includes most programs including general education classes. Tier 2 consists of classes in culinary arts, industrial maintenance technology, nursing and precision machining programs.

Tier 3 courses include health care programs at ECC Rolla, radiological technology, surgical technology and licensed practical nursing (LPN) programs.

The new in-district tuition rates will be $125 per credit hour for Tier 1 classes, $151 per credit hour for Tier 2 classes and $216 per credit hour for Tier 3.

Out-of-district rates will be $174, $211 and $324 per credit hour for Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3, respectively.

The rates per credit hour for out-of-state students will be $254 for Tier 1 and $309 for Tier 2. Tuition for international students will be $261 per credit hour for Tier 1, and $331 per credit hour for Tier 2.

Dual credit course rates in the 2023-24 academic year will be $63 per credit hour.

Student Fees

The student fees will be $37 per credit hour. Listed below is the fee breakdown and how it was changed:

Student Activities $12 per credit hour (increase of $3).
Support Services $2 per credit hour (increase of $1).
Technology $6 per credit hour (increase of $3).
Facilities $8 per credit hour (unchanged).
Security $9 per credit hour (unchanged).

Students Named to the Fall 2022 Dean’s List

January 13, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla Inspiring Excellence

There were 187 students named to the East Central College Dean’s List from the Fall 2022 semester.

Each year the college recognizes those students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement each semester, and upon completion of between six and 11 Fall semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.5 or greater, students are acknowledged on the Dean’s List.

Congratulations to these Fall 2022 Dean’s List students.