Tag: adult education and literacy

ECC Launches Education Apprenticeship to Strengthen Local Workforce

April 4, 2025 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College is opening a new door to careers in education through a teacher apprenticeship initiative aimed at strengthening the local workforce and addressing the statewide teacher shortage.

The College is launching pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways that combine coursework, hands-on experience, and grant-funded support to create a practical route for individuals interested in becoming educators.

For more information about ECC’s Teacher Education Apprenticeship Program, email: teacher.apprentice@eastcentral.edu

These programs are designed to support those just beginning their education journey, as well as adults considering a career change—providing opportunities to work in education without leaving the community.

“One of the main ideas behind our Teacher Apprenticeship Model is multiple entry points with defined assistance along the way. Whether someone is just starting their education journey or considering a career change, this program makes it more accessible to become a certified teacher in our service area,” said Greg Stotler, ECC Teacher Education Coordinator.

“We’re helping people build a future in the teaching profession in our community while they continue to work in crucial support roles in our schools within those communities.”

The pre-apprenticeship options prepare participants for success in a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship and include roles such as:

Substitute Teacher
Paraprofessional
Teacher Assistant

Participants can earn certifications and gain valuable experience in local classrooms while continuing their education through ECC’s degree programs:

Associate of Arts in Education
Associate of Arts in Teaching
Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development

In partnership with ECC’s Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program, the College also received official approval from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to offer an Integrated Education and Training (IET) course. This course provides immediate access to substitute teacher and paraprofessional credentials and can be combined with high school equivalency preparation or academic skill development as needed.

The success of ECC’s teacher apprenticeship initiative is the result of collaboration among several departments at the College. The Center for Workforce Development, AEL and the Education pathway are working together to build accessible, high-quality pathways for future educators. This effort is being led by Stotler, Todd Tracy, Executive Director of the Center for Workforce Development; and Alice Whalen, Director of Adult Education and Literacy.

The apprenticeship pathway includes benefits such as:

Paid work experience in education-related roles
Certification in First Aid/CPR/AED
Substitute teacher credentials
U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Certificate of Completion
Up to $500 in support for qualifying pre-apprenticeship participants

This initiative is part of a larger statewide effort through the Missouri – Southeast Pathways to Work (MoSEPWork) consortium, a collaboration of five colleges working to improve access to innovative pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs in three high-demand sectors: teacher education, nursing, and advanced manufacturing.

MoSEPWork Consortium:

Jefferson College (Lead Institution)
East Central College
Mineral Area College
Three Rivers College
Central Methodist University

The project is funded by a $3.99 million U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Building America – Round 2 (ABA2) grant. East Central College’s portion of the funding totals $793,775 and will support program development through June 2028. The ECC grant budget includes:

Personnel, Fringe & Travel: $324,182
Equipment (including a 5-Axis Mill for Precision Manufacturing): $99,230
Contractual Services, Tuition & Outreach: $298,202
Indirect Costs: $72,161

Students Recognized for Leadership, Academic Excellence and More

East Central College faculty, staff and administrators recognized many students for their outstanding accomplishments in the past academic year, both inside and outside the classroom.

The ECC Campus Life and Leadership’s annual Student Achievement Night on May 4 was an opportunity to recognize students for leadership, academic excellence, club engagement, success in the classroom and as student employees.

Academic Excellence Award

The Vice President’s Academic Excellence Award was presented to Caroline Miller. This prestigious award recognizes one student each year who demonstrates exemplary academic excellence during their time at ECC.

The recipient must maintain a minimum of a 3.4 GPA, and they must be nominated by a department chair. All nominations were submitted to the College vice presidents for consideration.

Outstanding Student Leader

Maggie Sikes was chosen as the 2023 Outstanding Student Leader. She was nominated by Lisa Hanneken, Business/Accounting faculty member and the club advisor for the Christian Club.

The award recognizes one student for exceptional leadership skills and abilities. Sikes also was chosen as the recipient of the Collaborative Excellence Award, nominated again by Hanneken. This award highlights a student leader who may not always want to be at the forefront as a leader, but whose collaborative spirit proves essential to the success of the club and the maintenance of an encouraging environment.

Club Officer Awards

The awards for club officers are given to student leaders for their contributions as stewards of student engagement on campus. Students are nominated by club advisors.

The following students were recognized for their service as club officers:

Brooklyn Hyatt, Student Government Association President
Theo Krummel, Student Government Association Vice President
Megan Pritchard, Student Government Association Public Relations Officer
Taylor Sikes, Student Government Association Recording Secretary
Augast Haddad, Outstanding Student Government Association Member
Parker Williamson, Art Club President
Abby Stanfield, Art Club Vice President
Lacy Buchanan, Art Club Secretary
David Braun, Art Club Treasurer
Carolyn Horst, Art Club Social Media Representative
Maggie Sikes, Christian Club President
Carly Hamlyn, Phi Theta Kappa President, Chi Delta Chapter
Victoria Plocinski, Phi Theta Kappa Executive Vice President, Chi Delta Chapter
Kaitlynn Myers, Phi Theta Kappa Vice President for Public Relations, Chi Delta Chapter
Annika Brunner, Phi Theta Kappa Vice President for Recording & Finance, Chi Delta Chapter
Riley Klekamp, Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Chapter Member, Chi Delta Chapter
Annika Brunner, Rotaract Club Vice President
Hunter Sperry, Rotaract Club Secretary & Treasurer

Academic Distinction

Awards of academic distinction are given by faculty members for students exhibiting excellence in academic.

Though these students will likely have a high mark in the gradebook, a student chosen for this award should also demonstrate an understanding of the course material, be an active participant in class, and contribute to the larger culture of succeeding and high-level thinking in the classroom.
The following students were given awards for academic distinction:

Nathaniel Wissman, Nursing
Joelle Phillips, Welding
Jacob Feth, Welding
William Herbst, Business
Katarina North, Accounting
Terry Ahrenhoersterbaeumer, Accounting & Business
Michael Buhr, Business
Sean Merriman, Accounting
Shane Kearbey, Business
Stephen Casey, Music
Joshua Liebhart, Music
Madalyn Montgomery, Music
Owen Borcherding, Business
Ian Meyer, Business
Olivia Vandegriffe, Business
David Kelch, Accounting
Grace Hoerstkamp, Business
Adam Creasy, Media Studies
Riley Klekamp, Humanities
Caroline Miller, Humanities
Emma Thomas, Humanities
Max Johnson, Humanities
Adam Vancil, Humanities
Zack Hill, English Composition
Katarina North, The Doyle Stricklin Memorial Award for Outstanding Performance in Accounting
Brianna Gildehaus, Outstanding Performance in Business Award

Spirited Falcon Award

The ECC Spirited Falcon awards are given to students in recognition of perseverance, a consistent willingness to learn and improve, and measured improvement.

This award is designed to honor students who, despite any obstacles they may face during their semester, demonstrated a continued commitment to their education and success as a student.
The following students were given Spirited Falcon awards:

MacKenzie Rolf, Nursing
Rose Adams, Reading Composition
Sean Merriman, Accounting
Kevin Corley, Humanities
Crystal Smith, Humanities
Julia Sampson, Business

Student Employees

Student employee recognized as Outstanding Student Worker

The student employees at ECC go above and beyond in their efforts to balance coursework and their student work opportunities.
The following students were recognized as Outstanding Student Workers:

Hugh Steinman, The Learning Center
Kyley Henry, The Learning Center
Chase Schroeder, The Learning Center
Ian Meyer, The Learning Center
Julio Gonzalez, The Learning Center
Miguel Gonzalez, The Learning Center

NAE Honor Society

Adult Education and Literacy students who were recently inducted into the were honored at Student Achievement Night.
The following students were inducted into NAEHS:

Arellana Zepeda
Ashley Watson Carrell
Athena Burke
Christina McKean
Gorette Nyirasebura
Griselda Gonzales
Heather Mertell
Jagdish Prasad
Lauren Hoey
Mikela Lackey
Mirwais Amiri
Mukesh Lnu
Naresh Jatav
Rajpoot Lnu
Rita Mauer
Shelly McMullin

Adult Education and Literacy students inducted into NAE Honor Society

State Director to Speak at AEL Graduation

May 4, 2021 | Campus News

The East Central College Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Graduation Ceremony speaker will be Shelly Lamb, the director of the state AEL services.

The graduation ceremony will be Thursday, May 13, at 6 p.m. in the gym located in the Donald Shook Student Center. The ceremony will recognize 2020 and 2021 graduates, according to Alice Whalen, AEL director at ECC.

Lamb, with the Office of College and Career Readiness for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), works directly with federal and state leaders, as well as local AEL programs, to expand the educational opportunities for adults in Missouri.

“A goal of the AEL program is for adults to acquire the basic skills necessary to become more employable, productive and responsible citizens,” Said Whalen.

Lamb is also responsible for overseeing the High School Equivalency (HSE) Program which provides students an opportunity to obtain their HSE credential.

She began her career with DESE in 2017 as a supervisor for AEL, then moved to assistant director for HSE, and in August of 2020, she was promoted to director of AEL. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems from William Woods University.

Lamb is married and is the mother of two adult daughters.

New Online Workforce Training Available for AEL Students

September 23, 2019 | Campus News

Students preparing to pass the High School Equivalency Test through the East Central College Adult Education and Literacy program will now get a new opportunity to strengthen their workforce skills.

“In September, we started offering new, online training programs for our students,” said Alice Whalen, Director of Adult Education and Literacy. “These courses allow students to gain the knowledge needed for high-demand jobs in the area.”

There are currently 15 new online workforce training options, ranging from advanced manufacturing to safety technician to child development associate. Two additional on-site classes, Introduction to MIG Welding and Certified Nursing Assistant, are also available to AEL students.

“The courses are self-paced,” said Whalen. “The classes are a great compliment to our students preparing for the HiSET or learning English as a second language.”

Right now, the classes are not free. However, Whalen says many adult students may be eligible for substantial financial assistance through AEL’s partnerships with the Missouri Job Centers in Rolla and Washington. Scholarships may also be available.

Adult Education and Literacy Program Awarded National Grant

May 15, 2019 | Campus News

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded the East Central College Foundation, working on behalf of the ECC Adult Education and Literacy Program, a $10,000 grant to support its mission in 2019. This local grant award is part of more than $8.3 million in grants awarded to nearly 1,000 schools, nonprofits and organizations across the country.

“Literacy is a problem that very much exists in the East Central College service area,” said AEL Director Alice Whalen. “There are more than 20,000 adults in Franklin, Gasconade, Phelps and Warren Counties without a high school diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) Certificate.”

The AEL Program will use the grant to support the adult education program and the volunteers who assist students in the classroom. Currently, AEL classes are held in Rolla, Sullivan, Union and Washington during the day. Night classes are held Cuba, Hermann, Montgomery City, Owensville, Pacific, Rolla, St. Clair, St. James, Sullivan, Union and Washington. Additional English Language classes are held in Rolla, Union and Washington.

“Our dedicated staff members and volunteers work tirelessly to help improve a student’s skills in math, reading, writing, social studies and science,” added Whalen. “All classes, books and materials are provided free for students. We aim to create personalized experiences for our students – addressing their specific needs and helping them achieve their personal goals.”

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $168 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 10 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education.

Find out more about the AEL program at www.eastcentral.edu/ael or by calling call 636-584-6533.

2019 AEL Graduation Ceremony Speaker Announced

April 15, 2019 | Campus News

East Central College is proud to announce Dr. David Chalk will serve as the speaker for the Adult Education and Literacy Graduation Ceremony on May 11, 2019.

Dr. Chalk is president of Mercy Clinic Four Rivers, where he oversees 40 clinics in 14 local towns. Dr. Chalk is also an orthopedic surgeon with the group, which has more than 180 integrated physicians and advanced practitioners.

“Dr. Chalk has a long history with the East Central College service area,” said Joel Doepker, vice president of external relations. “He has been a past and current member of the board of directors for the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bank of Washington. He also served as both vice president and president of the East Central College Foundation. We are honored to have him speak at such an inspiring event.”

He received his medical degree from the University of Kentucky School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency training in orthopedic surgery at Saint Louis University. He continued his orthopedic training with a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at the University of Cincinnati.

Dr. Chalk and his wife, Eileen, have three children – Meredith, Colin and Brendan. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors on his farm with his Texas Longhorn cattle. He is also an avid sports fan. He regularly cheers on his alma mater football squad at Cornell University, where he lined up as a defensive tackle while earning his bachelor’s degree from 1977 to 1981.

The Adult and Literacy Graduation Ceremony will be held in the East Central College theater at 2 p.m.

New Year Brings New Hope for AEL Graduate

January 7, 2019 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Putting things off is something we all do – getting your oil changed in your car, cleaning out the refrigerator or even going to the doctor for an annual checkup. For Bobby Hinson, it was getting his high school diploma.

“I’m an eighth-grade dropout,” Hinson admitted.

The father of four works for the Missouri Department of Transportation as a maintenance worker.

“On any given day I’m mowing, fixing pot holes, putting up street signs or plowing snow,” Hinson explained.

While Hinson enjoys his job, he wanted more. “I want to become a superintendent at some point,” he said. “They supervise all the work sites. They decide what priority is and how the process should be done.”

Unfortunately, he knew any promotion was out of reach without more education. That’s when he decided to get his High School Equivalency (HSE) through the East Central College Adult Education and Literacy Program (AEL). It provides free classes to improve a students’ skills in math, reading, writing, social studies and science in order to pass the High School Equivalency Test.

“I didn’t want my younger kids growing up thinking it’s okay to give up,” he explained. “I decided it was time to do something about it.”

He admits he was scared to start the process, but the AEL staff soon put him at ease. Hinson says he tried to get his GED back in the late 90’s through a different program, but he didn’t have much success.

“The program wasn’t focused on the teacher-student relationship,” he explained. “They handed you a book and you were on your own.”

Through the AEL Program, Hinson worked one-on-one with instructors and volunteers, receiving custom instruction and constant guidance. “It was a good surprise,” he said. “It’s not what I was expecting.”

During the process, he also received continuous support from his employer. It helped him stay on track.

“There were a few times [MoDOT] would have something come up at the end of the day,” Hinson said. “I would volunteer to help, but they wouldn’t let me. They didn’t want me to miss class.”

Hinson was a model student. It didn’t take long for him to make it to the finish line.

“The amount of time and effort put into the program and the starting skill levels determine when an individual is ready to take the final test,” said Alice Whalen, Director of AEL. “Despite the number of years he had been out of school, Bobby was determined. He put in the effort and dedicated himself to achieving his goal.”

Hinson passed the final test with flying colors.

“The night after taking the last test, my wife had balloons and a cake waiting for me when I got home. We went out to dinner to celebrate,” he said. “My kids were ecstatic about it!”

He had even more to celebrate when he went back to work – he received a promotion! While he says he’s proud of his accomplishments so far, he knows there is more to come.

“I don’t want to stop with just my HSE,” he said. “I want to keep pushing forward. I want to get a college degree.”

The AEL Program is free to everyone and offers several class locations with morning and evening sessions. To learn more about obtaining your High School Equivalency, email ael@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6533.

Students who have earned a high school equivalency diploma (HiSET) through the AEL program at East Central College are eligible to receive a tuition waiver for a three (3) hour college credit class at East Central College. In order for a student to qualify for the incentive, a student must have completed the HiSET program and/or exam with East Central College within twelve (12) months prior to enrollment and it must be his or her first time attending any college.

Breaking Down Language Barriers to Become a Better Business Manager

September 24, 2018 | Campus News

Ten years ago, Neha Patel moved from India to the United States to help her husband manage a hotel in St. Clair. She had taken English classes in college, but knew she would have to improve her skills in order to interact with customers.

English can be a complicated language for non-native speakers to learn, but Patel didn’t want to give up. She was determined to improve and better serve customers at their hotel.

Her husband knew she was struggling with the language barrier, so he started searching for resources in the area. That’s when he found the East Central College Adult Education and Literacy Program (AEL). He suggested his wife give it a try.

“Our English Language Acquisition classes are designed for people just like Neha,” said AEL Director Alice Whalen. “We provide students with a working knowledge of English in preparation for the workplace and daily living.”

Whalen added that classes are conducted in a small classroom style to allow students the chance to receive individual attention from their instructors and tutors. The classes help students in reading and listening, and even learn American culture. Patel started taking classes in November 2017. In a short amount of time, it is already helping her be a better supervisor at her business.

“This class is really helping me talk to customers politely and respond back to them,” Neha explained. “My instructor is excellent. Even when I studied in my country, I didn’t have a teacher like her. She is helping me a lot.”

The AEL English Language Acquisition course is completely free and has locations in Union, Rolla, Washington and Wright City. Both day and evening times are available. For more information on classes and registration, visit English Language Acquisition or call 636-584-6533.

VIDEO – High School Equivalency Graduation Ceremony

June 8, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

They all had different backgrounds and stories, but they all shared the same dream – getting their High School Equivalency. We are so proud of our 2018 graduates!

AEL/Certified Nurse Assistant Program Now Enrolling Students

February 26, 2018 | Campus News

Get your High School Equivalency and become a Certified Nurse Assistant at the same time!

The East Central College Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program is teaming up with the Center for Workforce Development to offer a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) program in March. This program is designed to prepare individuals to care for clients in long-term care facilities, hospitals and home health agencies.

“Certified Nurse Assistants are vital to healthcare,” said East Central College instructor Terri Warmack. “It’s a rewarding, exciting and challenging career where you can make a difference every day.”

The course consists of 75 hours of classroom training and 100 hours of supervised clinical training. It also includes 100 hours preparation for the high school equivalency or college placement exams. Additionally, high school graduates who need to brush up on basic reading, language or math skills can take this course while becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant.

Upon completion of all components, students will be eligible to take the final exam to become a Certified Nurse Assistant through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Students interested in the AEL/CNA Program must complete an AEL orientation:

Saturday, March 3, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., East Central College Training Center, 1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union
Saturday, March 10, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Rolla Career Center, 1202 Forum Drive, Rolla
Tuesday, March 12, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., First Baptist Church of Owensville, 112 W Lincoln Ave #28, Owensville
Friday, March 16, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., East Central College Training Center, 1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union

Students must be 18 years of age at the start of the program. For more information: 636-584-6531, Terri.Warmack@EastCentral.edu.