Category: ECC Rolla

CWD Assists Local Industries Receive $677,000 in State Training Funds

November 22, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Volpi Foods is one of 19 local industries working with the East Central College Center for Workforce Development (CWD) to secure and utilize state funds totaling $677,000 that is earmarked for training and development.

According to Kathy Price, director of human resources at Volpi foods, the Union meat processing plant is benefiting from $45,000 in the Missouri One Start program, which is funding leadership, safety and industrial maintenance training for its employees.

Price said she learned about the Customized Training funds through an informational meeting for area HR representatives hosted by the CWD; and ECC staff, Cindy Brinker, CWD grant and program administrator, and Melissa Richardson, CWD apprenticeship and business training program coordinator, were essential in assisting Price with completing required documents prior to submission.

“I was not aware that the grant fund opportunity existed until I went to the presentation,” she said. “They also followed up individually with me to see how they could assist Volpi in completing the application and made an in person visit to review the key steps in applying.”

Volpi Foods has been handcrafting artisan cured meat since 1902. The female-operated manufacturer has been run by the same family for 120 years. Chief Executive Officer Lorenza Pasetti is the great niece of Volpi’s founder. She has been in charge of Volpi since 2002.

Customized Training awards through Missouri One Start range from $10,000 to $100,000 this year with awards averaging around $41,000. That’s compared to an average award in 2021 of $23,000. The increase in average awards is primarily due to Missouri One Start more than doubling its budget for workforce projects in Missouri.

Training for the industries ranges from leadership development, safety training, introductory welding programs, project management to LEAN and Six Sigma training.

“We are still finalizing exactly how we intend to spend the money, but our focus will be on leadership training for our managers, safety training for all employees and some specialized industrial maintenance technical training for our maintenance team members,” Price added.

Royal Canin

Royal Canin, Rolla — a leading producer of science-based cat and dog health nutrition — is receiving $30,000 in Missouri One Start program funding that will be utilized for several areas of training.

According to Derric Fane, Royal Canin Technical Manager, the manufacturer produces over 200 unique formulas of pet food, and each formula uses different ingredients.

“That means there is a high-level of variability — some are high in starch, some are high in protein — there are no two jobs alike,” Fane said.

He added that the Missouri One Grant will fund advanced training for Royal Canin employees for both machine operations and maintenance.

“It will include advanced training for our employees so they can train others,” Fane said, “It will be training to sharpen their skill level so in the future, they can pass along that knowledge.”

Founded by a veterinarian in 1968, Royal Canin has more than 50 years of experience in delivering individualized nutritional solutions. The Royal Canin product line offers a range of diets based on size, age, breed, lifestyle and therapeutic requirements.

Manufacturers Awarded Funds

Through the Missouri One Start Customized Training program the following manufacturers, listed by their locations, were awarded matching training grants:
Paramount Apparel, Bourbon; Homeyer Precision Manufacturing, Marthasville; Henniges Automotive, New Haven; Walker Products and Klauber Machine & Gear, Pacific; Royal Canin, Rolla;
Atro Engineering and Performance Engineering & Manufacturing Racing, St. Clair; Ace Manufacturing and Enjet Aero, Sullivan; Linmark Machine and Volpi Foods, Union; and Clemco Industries, Computech, Enjet Aero, Hodges Badge, Frick’s Meats, WEG Transformers and Parker Hannifin, Washington.

Learn more about the program by contacting the CWD team at training@eastcentral.edu or visit missourionestart.com/.

To learn more about CWD industry training and consulting visit www.eastcentral.edu/cwd/.

ECC Chief Academic Officer Named to State Transfer Committee

East Central College Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Robyn Walter will help shape how transfer and articulation agreements among Missouri colleges and universities are developed and maintained.

Walter was appointed last month to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) Committee on Transfer and Articulation (COTA). She was appointed by interim Commissioner of Higher Education Leroy Wade to serve through June 30, 2024.

“At ECC, we rely on good transfer partners to provide quality pathways for our students, so I understand the importance of transfer agreements, and how greatly they can benefit students,” Walter said. “It’s crucial to develop collaborative transfer and articulation strategies to serve students and advance our goals for degree completion.”

COTA’s primary responsibilities are to review and make recommendations on transfer issues and study and develop transfer guidelines for traditional and non-traditional credits. That’s in addition to reviewing and recommending resolutions on cases of appeal from institutions or students.

“It is important that students throughout the state are prepared for upper-level coursework when they transfer, and that they receive credit for the courses they have completed,” Walter added.

COTA is comprised of 12 members who are appointed by the Commissioner of Higher Education, and it includes four representatives from public two-year colleges and four representatives from public four-year colleges and universities, one of which must be from the University of Missouri and one which must be from another public four-year institution.

COTA also includes one representative from independent two-year colleges or proprietary institutions, two representatives from independent four-year colleges and universities and one at-large position. Additionally, the commissioner or a designated representative sits as ex-officio voting member of the committee.

Walter has been with ECC since 2003, serving as a faculty member, director of nursing, nursing and allied health program chair, dean of health sciences and vice president of academic affairs since 2020.

She received her Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Missouri and her Master’s in Nursing Service Administration from Saint Louis University. She earned her Ph.D. in Nursing at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

ECC and Missouri Baptist Strengthen Transfer Agreement

November 9, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College and Missouri Baptist University have bolstered the transfer agreements between the institutions.

For the past 20 years, the partnership between ECC and MBU has resulted in highly prepared educators within the community, according to Dr. Robyn Walter, vice president of academic affairs at ECC. This year, ECC and MBU revised the agreement update all the courses that transfer from ECC to the University.

MBU, with a location in Union, allows for students to attend in-person classes without leaving the area. In addition, the University offers many online options and transfer students can attend classes from home.

Walter noted that it is important for the community that educators from this area remain here due to nationwide teacher shortages.

“We appreciate Missouri Baptist’s commitment to teacher education in our community,” Walter said. “We know that when students start at ECC and then complete their teaching degree locally, they are more likely to stay and teach locally — this approach is needed now more than ever.”

According to Thea Abraham, MBU director of records, ECC and MBU have had a strong relationship since the early 2000s.

She said, although MBU is a private university, it accepts all CORE 42 courses that state public colleges and universities accept.

“For two decades we had a strong relationship, and the transferability of courses at ECC has always been very high,” Abraham said.

Abraham echoed the importance of MBU’s accessibility to residents of ECC’s district.

“Students can stay in town, taking classes at home or in-person at MBU’s Union facility, and they don’t have to drive into the main campus,” she said.

Students transferring from ECC to MBU typically are seeking teaching degrees or business-related degrees. MBU also offers a variety of other degree programs.

To learn more about transfer agreements between ECC and colleges and universities, visit www.eastcentral.edu/transfer/articulation-agreements/.

Nine Students Inducted into ECC Rolla Honor Society

November 4, 2022 | Alumni Spotlight Campus News ECC Rolla Inspiring Excellence

Pictured are seven of the nine inductees into the Beta Omicron Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at East Central College in Rolla. From left, are Madison Brown, Serena Macey, Hayden Loeb, Mary Romine, Elise Jeffers, Alicia Ramirez and Kelsea Smith. Not pictured are Gabriel E. Killian and Elysia D. Frayer.

The Beta Omicron Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at East Central College in Rolla inducted nine new members into the honor society during its annual Fall ceremony.

Carson Mowery, an alumna of the chapter and the ECC Campus Life & Leadership coordinator, was the keynote speaker during the in-person ceremony held Oct. 9 when the following students were inducted:
Madison G. Brown, Elysia D. Frayer, Elise M. Jeffers, Gabriel E. Killian, Hayden E. Loeb, Serena C. Macey, Alicia A. Ramirez, Kelsea E. Smith and Mary B. Romine.

Jeffers was installed as chapter president, and Ramirez was named chapter vice president.

At the ceremony, ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer presented ECC Rolla PTK sponsor Dr. Elizabeth Winters-Rozema with a 15-year PTK advisor pin.

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.

The Beta Omicron Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at East Central College in Rolla installed Alicia Ramirez, left, as vice president of the honor society, and Elise Jeffers, center, as chapter president. Pictured on the right is Carson Mowery, an alumna of the chapter and the ECC Campus Life & Leadership coordinator. 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.

For more information about PTK in Rolla, contact Rozema at 573-466-4084 or elizabeth.rozema@eastcentral.edu.

East Central College East Central College in Rolla Phi Theta Kappa Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Winters-Rozema, left, was presented a Phi Theta Kappa 15-year advisor pin by ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer. Rozema, an assistant professor of biology, was recognized during the installation ceremony of new PTK members held in October.

‘Late Bloomer’ Uncovered his Passion at ECC — Music Education

November 3, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla Inspiring Excellence Music

Nathaniel Sater has always had a passion for music. But it wasn’t until he was in his 40s when he realized he could have a career doing what he loves the most.

And like so many in the community, East Central College was where he turned to pursue his dream.

Sater, of Pacific, graduated from ECC with an Associate Degree in Music In 2015. He already earned a business degree from Fontbonne University in 2007, but music is in his bones and that drove him toward a second go at college.

“I am a bit of a late bloomer. I had piano lessons as a child, and bought a guitar when I was 28, but I didn’t start what I considered seriously studying music until the fall of 2013,” he said.

Sater enrolled at ECC that year after meeting with Dr. Jennifer Judd, music program coordinator, who he credits with recognizing is talent, encouraging him, and pointing him in the right direction.

“Dr. Judd asked me some questions and I think that she saw I had realistic goals of just being a better musician than I was the day before, and that I was willing to spend the time in the practice room in order to get better,” he said.

“I was eager to learn and be taught. It was like walking through a gate. I was treated like a serious musician at the very beginning of my training and from day one — it was exciting.”

Once he started in the program, Sater learned from Dr. Judd, Dr. Timothy Sexton, choral director; Aaron Bounds, band director; as well as music adjunct Bill Hopkins and former music instructor Sue Chu.

“Nate was an energetic and enthusiastic music student,” Judd said. “He was always willing to work on new concepts and was great at working with other students in the Jazz Combo groups.”

Bounds added that Sater was eager to learn and share what he already knew about music.

“He was a joy to work with, adding much passion and life experience to many of our discussions,” he said.

Sater noted that ECC fits his desire to and grow as a musician perfectly.

“Dr. Judd knew exactly where to place me for (music) theory, instrumental study, history and ensemble study,” he said. “She is amazing.”

First Time Around

In 2008, a year after graduating from Fontbonne, tragedy struck Sater and his family. His mother died from pancreatic cancer after a year-long battle.

“After that I had no direction. I had a good job, but it wasn’t filling my soul,” he remembered. “I had a talk with myself, recalled doing well in classes that weren’t fulfilling for me, like business management, and I guess my focus shifted back to realizing the power of hard work.

“I decided that I should have studied music starting back in my youth,” Sater continued. “I just didn’t believe that I could be good as a child. It is a huge part of my personal identity to be a musician and an instructor.”

It was those thoughts that guided Sater back to higher education, and to ECC’s music department.

Post ECC Career, Education

Sater took a job teaching for an after-school program in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area after graduating from ECC. He taught music classes and lessons in both English and Spanish.

“I taught the children mostly guitar and piano, but some drums and violins,” he said. “This job made me realize that I was good at talking about and teaching music, so it led back to Missouri where I enrolled at Central Methodist University.”

Sater became the first recipient of the Rita Gulstad Transfer Scholarship at CMU, which is specifically designed for community college students who want to complete a four-year degree at the university.

He graduated from CMU in 2019 with a degree in Music Education. His next stop was Lindenwood University where he earned Master of Music Education.

Now, in his mid-40s, Master’s degree in hand and still carrying the influence of ECC faculty, Sater said he is looking a career as a music teacher.

“I am looking for a job like what Aaron Bounds does at ECC,” he said. “He gets to teach a course on the history of jazz that I have heard is very interesting. I envision myself teaching Theory I and II, History of Jazz, giving lessons on the guitar and possibly other instruments, conducting the jazz band, and other ensembles such as a guitar quartet.”

Sater noted that his experience in ECC’s Music Department has been such a positive influence that he also wants to work at a community college.

Performing

Sater has been performing music on stage since 1999. He has played a variety of music in nine states.

“I perform with blues bands, solo gigs, jazz bands, big bands, rock bands, reggae bands, Grateful Dead tribute bands, party and dance bands, and Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute bands,” he said. “I mostly play piano/organ but do also do guitar and harmonica.”

About ECC Music

ECC is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

The college offers Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) in Music and Associate of Arts (AA) in Music. To learn more about the program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/humanities-arts/music/.

For more information, people may contact Dr. Judd at jennifer.judd@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6696, Dr. Sexton at timothy.sexton@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6698; or Bounds at aaron.bounds@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6697.

ECC Marketing Team Receives Four Medallion Awards, Director Named Rising Star

November 1, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla Inspiring Excellence Media

The East Central College Communications and Marketing team took home four Medallion Awards, including three for first place, from the National Communications, Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) District 5 conference.

The team won gold Medallions in the following categories: social media page, video shorts and excellence in writing-long form. The college was awarded a bronze Medallion in the college website category.

“What makes these awards so special is they are representative of the many facets of work that the communications team does,” said Gregg Jones, director of communications and marketing. “We put a lot of hard work into what we do, and it is a very satisfying when those efforts are recognized by our peers in a well-respected organization like NCMPR.”

East Central College Director of Communications and Marketing Gregg Jones received the National Communications, Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) District 5 Rising Star Award. The Rising Star Award recognizes newcomers to NCMPR and their fields. The Rising Star recipients demonstrate special creativity or ability in marketing and public relations; and show evidence of a promising future in the field. Jones is now one of seven candidates in consideration for the national Rising Star Award which will be presented in March 30 through April 1, 2023, at the NCMPR National Conference.

In addition to the medallions, Jones received the 2022 Rising Star Award for District 5.

The Rising Star Award recognizes newcomers to NCMPR and their fields. The Rising Star recipients demonstrate special creativity or ability in marketing and public relations; and show evidence of a promising future in the field.

Jones is now one of seven candidates in consideration for the national Rising Star Award which will be presented in March 30 through April 1, 2023, at the NCMPR National Conference.

Medallion Awards

This year is the third consecutive year the college’s Facebook page was recognized with a Medallion Award. This year, the college’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/EastCentral/, nabbed first place in the overall Social Media category.

The Gold Medallion awarded in the video shorts category was for the college’s commercial promoting 2022 fall registration that was shown on YouTube, Hulu and other streaming services. View the video at, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88sjc_-10SU.

The third Gold Medallion ECC earned, in the writing-long form category, was for “Cuba Resident Finds Calling in ECC Welding Lab.” The story features a welding student from Cuba, Mo., who enrolled in the program after reading a story about a mother and son taking Welding courses. Read the story here, https://www.eastcentral.edu/blog/cuba-resident-finds-calling-in-ecc-welding-lab/.

The college’s website, www.eastcentral.edu, was recognized with a Medallion Award for the second straight year.

Communications & Marketing Team

ECC’s communication and marketing team is comprised of Jones, Joel Doepker, vice president of external relations; Amanda Studdard, multimedia specialist; Andy Kolb, coordinator of web services; Cynthia Cubas, external relations executive administrative assistant; and Abby Stanfield, multimedia assistant.

The NCMPR is the leading professional development association exclusively serving those working in communication at two-year community and technical colleges.

The organization provides professional development opportunities, advocates on behalf of the profession and the institutions it serves and recognizes professional excellence. NCMPR has more than 1,700 members from nearly 650 colleges across the United States and Canada.

Cutlines:

East Central College’s Communications and Marketing Department received four Medallion Awards at the National Communications, Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) District 5 conference last month. Pictured, from left, are Joel Doepker, vice president of external relations; ; Andy Kolb, coordinator of web services; Gregg Jones, director of communications and marketing; Amanda Studdard, multimedia specialist; and Cynthia Cubas, external relations executive administrative assistant.

High School Students Invited to Learn About STEM Careers

October 28, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College and Missouri S&T faculty members are gearing up for the Math & Science Career Night.

On Wednesday, Nov. 9, high school students from the area are invited to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) ECC and S&T degrees and pathways to careers. The event is in the ECC Theatre in Hansen Hall from 6-8:30 p.m.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Alison Tucker, STEM recruitment and success coordinator at alison.tucker@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6677.

Students will hear first-hand accounts of what it’s like to work in the STEM field and hear about the careers of tomorrow. They also will get advice on what classes to take in high school to best prepare them for STEM degrees in college. Parents also are invited to attend.

Students will receive a free Math & Science Career Night T-shirt and there will be several door prizes, including a Texas Instruments TI-84 calculator.

ECC and Missouri S&T faculty in STEM fields — ranging from engineering to biology, and much more — will be on hand to talk with students about their interests and potential career fields.

“STEM Career Night gives students an opportunity to mingle with faculty and students in a variety of STEM programs,” said Alison Tucker, STEM recruitment and success coordinator. “ECC and S&T have had a strong relationship for over 40 years including hosting this event for over 23 years.

“We understand students and parents appreciate the chance to ask questions and learn how to be best prepared for a STEM career path no matter where they transfer.”

Following is the schedule for Math and Science Career Night:

Meet and explore fields
6- 7 p.m.

Welcome
7-7:10 p.m.

ECC admissions
7:10 to 7:20 p.m.

ECC STEM programs and transfer
7:20 to 7:30 p.m.

Missouri S&T admissions
7:30 to 7:45 p.m.

ECC President Calls for Leadership Council

October 27, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer is calling for local government, school and industry leaders to come to the table to carve out a vision of the future of Franklin County and the region.

Specifically, Bauer called for the formation of a Leadership Council in his address to officials of local cities during the Franklin Count Municipal League (FCML) dinner Oct. 19 in Union.

“We have a generational opportunity to shape our future and East Central College is all in with you to ensure that future is the one we want for our stakeholders and our community,” he said.

Bauer noted that the college was formed 50 years ago to meet many community needs. Over the past five decades, ECC has fulfilled its obligation to the community, and much more — and now is the time to look ahead to the next 50 years.

“I believe this is as pivotal and impactful a time, as it was over 50 years ago when we decided as a community that we wanted a college here,” he said. “Decisions that the college and our communities make today will chart the course for the next 50 years — I have no doubt about that. Our actions or inactions will determine our future.”

Bauer explained that many areas in the region can be positively impacted today, and in the future, by the actions community leaders take now.

“We are working every day to identify and demolish barriers to the college dream. These are barriers of cost, food insecurity, childcare, housing,” he said. “In some cases, the solution rests with us at East Central. In some cases, we need public-private partnerships. In still others, we need the collaboration of our schools and public sector partners, including the county and cities.

“Public, private, city, county, school, college,” Bauer continued. “We are one community. We are leaders with a responsibility to serve.”

Bauer’s proposition includes business leaders and the largest employers in the area, like Ameren Missouri and Mercy.

“We have industries crying out to fill jobs. We have hospitals in critical need of more nurses and other licensed professionals. We have students who want to attend college but can’t afford childcare,” he said.

“Until every job is filled, until we can turn out as many graduates as we need, until we can serve every student who has their dream of going to college fulfilled, our work is not done and we are not doing enough.

“This is a competitive environment. If we only stand still, we will get passed by,” he said.

ECC Welding Students Earn AWS Certificates

October 17, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Fourteen East Central College welding students recently earned their American Welding Society (AWS) certificates for receiving high marks on unit assessments.

The college’s welding program uses online AWS learning platform for lecture and lab classes. The students who score a 90 percent or higher on their unit assessments earn a certificate. They can earn certificates for each of the unit assessments, which are Welding Safety, Oxy-Fuel Cutting, Plasma Cutting and Carbon Arc Cutting.

Listed below are the type of certificate, followed by the students who received them:

Safety in Welding — James Baxter, Holly Downey, Seth Fennessey, Justin Medlock, Brady Neely, Eli Radcliff, Zachary Regot and Cole Vance.

Oxy-Fuel Cutting — Sadie Miller and James Baxter.

Plasma Arc Cutting — Sadie Miller and Brady Neely.

Carbon Arc Cutting — James Baxter, Holly Downey, Seth Fennessey, Macey Hargrove, Justin Medlock, Sadie Miller, Brady Neely, Eli Radcliff, Zachary Regot, Erica Stockell and Cole Vance.

“These students have worked extremely hard to earn these certificates,” said Bobby Bland, welding program coordinator. “Most of our students have full-time jobs working 8-10 hours a day, and then come to class for 5 1/2 hours. They still show up every single evening, on time and with a smile, excited to learn.”

The students each recently completed the Welding I course as they work toward an ECC Certificate of Specialization.

“I cannot tell our community how much dedication, sacrifice, hard work and concentration these welding students have,” Bland added. “I would hire every single student that completes the welding program just for that reason alone.”

He further added that during the 16-week Fast Track Welding program, students experience rigorous training through lecture and real-world experience in the welding labs.

“Our students are ready for any task that comes their way and the unit certificates earned through AWS brings value to the students making them more marketable in the industry,” Bland commented.

For more information about the ECC welding program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/career-technical-education/welding/.

ECC Grads Receive rootEd Alliance Transfer Scholarships

October 11, 2022 | Alumni Spotlight Campus News ECC Rolla

Two East Central College Class of 2022 graduates are recipients of a rootEd Alliance Transfer Scholarship that is helping them fund their four-year degrees.

The rootEd Alliance partners with the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis to award new scholarships to undergraduate and transfer students from rural Missouri, filling critical gaps in students’ financial aid packages to help ensure they graduate debt-free. The rootEd Undergraduate Scholarship is a renewable grant of up to $12,000 per academic year.

David Wysong, Sullivan, received the maximum grant available for this academic year.

Wysong graduated from ECC with an Associate of Arts degree with a Business emphasis. He received $12,000 — $6,000 each semester — to help pay for classes at the University of Missouri. Columbia.

He is a business major with plans to seek a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).

“I was surprised to be selected,” Wysong said. “This is a great opportunity and one less thing to stress about for me and my family.

“I will get a bachelor’s degree for almost no cost,” he added.

Michael Adkison, of the Labadie area, received $10,000, split evenly between the Fall and Spring semesters, to help him pay for tuition at Missouri State University in Springfield where he is studying sports medicine.

Adkison graduated from ECC with an Associate of Arts degree with a STEM emphasis. He aspires to be a physical therapist.

“I am very grateful for this award and that it will make it easier for me to strive to be the best physical therapist in the future,” he said. “I am forever thankful for the rootEd Alliance.”

Over the past four years, rootEd Alliance has provided dedicated support to students from rural areas and small towns across Missouri as they pursue their education beyond high school.

The organization does so, in part, through providing funding and resources for student success advisors in high schools and community colleges, and through creating opportunities, like the rootEd Alliance Transfer Scholarships.

Students transferring from any community college in Missouri, who also graduated from a rural high school in Missouri over the past five years, are eligible for the rootEd Scholarship.

Class or 2023 graduates can begin applying for the scholarship in the spring.

For more information, visit https://sfstl.org/rooted-community-college-transfer-scholarship/, or call ECC at 636-584-6588.