Tag: East Central College

Mercy Provides Space for ECC English Language Classes

July 17, 2018 | Campus News

Mercy Clinic Four Rivers in Washington is donating classroom space for the Adult Education and Literacy program at East Central College to teach English language acquisition classes.

The classes provide students with a working knowledge of English in preparation for citizenship tests, the workplace, additional education, and daily living.

“We know there are groups of community members in the Washington area who need to enhance their English language skills.” said Alice Whalen, director of the Adult Education and Literacy program. “Students are also looking to improve their English language skills for travel, social or employment purposes.”

“It’s a credit to the continuing partnerships between Mercy and East Central College that this was able to happen,” says Joel Doepker, Vice President of External Relations. “We appreciate the quick response by Mercy to accommodate the program and its students.”

The small classroom space fits perfectly with the program to allow students the chance to receive individual attention from their instructor and tutors.

“I’m pleased we’re able to provide the classroom space for East Central College to expand its offerings,” says Dr. David Chalk, president, Mercy Clinic Four Rivers. “Mercy takes pride in helping to enhance our community, and education fits in well with our legacy. When our founding sisters arrived in St. Louis in 1856 they actually opened up a free school for girls because they were responding to the needs of that community. I think they would be happy to know their thinking is still alive and well.”

Students studying English will also participate in cultural and social activities in the community. Students take the class with a range of experience; some students need help preparing to enter college.

The classes will be held Monday and Wednesday from 8-11 a.m. at the Mercy Medical Building South (Patients First Drive) and provided at no cost to the students.

East Central College Receives Grant for Community-Focused Greenhouse

July 17, 2018 | Campus News

Students in the East Central College Culinary Arts Program won’t just learn how to prepare and cook food, but they will soon learn how to grow it as well. Thanks to a $70,000 grant from the USDA Rural Development Program, a greenhouse will be constructed on the Union campus.

“This greenhouse will strengthen the Culinary Arts curriculum,” said Program Director Mike Palazzola. “Students will learn more about sustainability and farm-to-table competencies. The program will be more comprehensive and desirable to potential students and the area workforce.”

The USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas.

“This grant better positions the college to expand an existing program and create innovative solutions to address the regional skills gap,” said Joel Doepker, Vice President of External Relations, “For the past three years the College has received USDA funding and we appreciate their investment in our programs.”

East Central College was awarded the grant based on evidence showing job creation at local businesses, economic need in the area to be served and consistency with local economic development priorities. During the grant application process, East Central College received several letters of support for the project from local eateries.

“Currently, three-fourths of the staff for our kitchen has attended East Central College,” said Katie Geisert, owner of Farm To You Market. “We find that it is crucial that a quality education continues locally, one that includes practices in sustainability and appreciation of how food is grown and used locally.”

The new greenhouse will also benefit the community.

“We want this to serve as a community-outreach project as well,” said Palazzola. “With the amount of food we will be able to produce, we should be able to provide a constant stream of fresh, healthy produce to local food banks.”

East Central College also hopes to use the greenhouse to help educate area high school students as well as create Community Education class opportunities.

Construction of the greenhouse, which will be located behind the East Central College Training Center, should begin this fall. The project is to be completed no later than September 2019.

Theatre Alumni Cast Party July 21

June 29, 2018 | Campus News

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of East Central College, we invite all theatre alumni to our Biggest Cast Party Ever following the 2 p.m. production of “Life Could Be A Dream” on July 21.

Enjoy free concessions during the show and stay for a pizza party following the show!

Please RSVP for this event. Visit https://goo.gl/forms/a3TBirj0xQLJ2qe53 or email castparty@eastcentral.edu

Please note: Tickets are still required to be purchased to see the show. Buy yours today!

Join Us at RegFest July 17!

June 27, 2018 | Campus News

East Central College is excited to host RegFest once again in 2018! RegFest is a chance for potential students to talk with admissions representatives about programs, start the enrollment process, learn how to pay for college, and register for fall classes. This is an open event for the community – no appointment required!

Join us on July 17 from 3 – 7 p.m. in Union, 1964 Prairie Dell Road, or Rolla, 500 Forum Drive, for free Jimmy John’s, door prizes, and concert ticket giveaways! We are happy to have KSHE-95 and New Country 92.3 team up with us in Union and Superstation KZNN 105.3 in Rolla.

While the Fall Semester is quickly approaching, you still have plenty of time to sign up for classes. Whether you are looking to eventually transfer to a four-year university or get a career-ready degree, we can help find the right path for you.

What should you bring to RegFest?

Valid picture I.D.
High School and/or College transcripts
2016 Tax Information for Financial Aid

If you don’t have all the documents handy, that’s okay! We can still help get the process started.

Want to get a head start before the event?

Apply Online
Check Out Our Programs
Learn About Financial Aid

Questions?

Union: 636-584-6588 or admissions@EastCentral.edu

Rolla: 573-466-4100 or ECCRolla@EastCentral.edu

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!

How to Skip Over Classes You Don’t Need

June 6, 2018 | Campus News

Spending just a week in The Learning Center this summer could potentially save you nearly a thousand dollars in tuition and three semesters worth of classes! The free Bridge Program can help students assess their skills, improve class placement, accelerate coursework and save money!

It is ideal for students who have already taken an Accuplacer assessment test and have been placed in Reading Comprehension, Intro to Writing/Comp Expansion, Connected Reading and Writing, Pre-Algebra or Introductory Algebra. Students who haven’t tested yet are are still welcome to register and attend a Bridge Program class.

“The courses are designed to work in a student’s favor,” said Erin Anglin, Director of The Learning Center. “There is no penalization for scoring below initial test scores. Students can only improve placement. This is really beneficial to students and gives them an opportunity to potentially improve math placement by up to three courses and to completely test out of developmental reading and English courses.”

Students will also get the chance to take the Accuplacer Diagnostic test, allowing Learning Center Specialists to help students find individual opportunities for growth and work one-on-one to create a plan for improvement that builds on the student’s strengths and previous knowledge.

“We encourage all students wanting to improve their placement to give us a week of their time to help advance their skills, build academic support systems, get an introduction to East Central College and achieve their goals,” said Anglin.

Students can sign up for the free Bridge Program by visiting or emailing The Learning Center or stopping by Student Services.

Getting Employees in a Tight Labor Market – June 27 Forum

June 5, 2018 | Campus News

Hiring skilled or first-tier employees in the area is becoming so competitive that practically every industry is concerned about the lack of available talent.

“There are several factors contributing to the shortage,” said Ed Shelton, ECC Center for Workforce Development Executive Director. “One of the biggest contributors is the age of the workforce. There are simply not enough young workers to fill the gap right now.”

Additionally, many younger workers lack the necessary experience to immediately step in and fill the shoes of the retiring workforce.

“The skills gap is very real,” said Shelton. “That’s why we are hosting area manufacturers and businesses to provide insight on how to find top talent and retain employees during this challenging time.”

On June 27, join the Center for Workforce Development from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Business and Industry Center, 42 Prairie Dell Plaza Drive in Union for an engaging forum on the topic.

The event is only ten dollars and includes lunch. For more information or to register, contact 636-649-5803 or training@eastcentral.edu.

The mission of the Center for Workforce Development is to establish and promote economic opportunities that lead to a comprehensive workforce system in the ECC Service Region (Franklin, Warren, Gasconade, Maries, Crawford, Dent, Osage and Phelps Counties).

VIDEO – 2018 Spring Commencement Highlights

May 22, 2018 | Campus News

The 2018 Spring Commencement was an emotional, exciting and inspirational day at East Central College. We are proud of all of our graduates and want to thank everyone who made the day so special! Please watch the video below to see the highlights of the ceremony!

President’s List – Spring 2018

May 17, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

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

Upon completion of at least 12 fall semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.85 or greater, students are acknowledged on the President’s List. More than 110 students made the list for the Spring 2018 semester!