East Central College recognizes students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement each semester.
Upon completion of between six and 11 spring semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.5 or greater, students are acknowledged on the Dean’s List.
There were 212 students named to the Dean’s List from the Spring 2023 semester.
Each semester, East Central College recognizes students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement.
Upon completion of at least 12 semester credit hours with a Spring semester grade point average between 3.50 and 3.84, students are acknowledged by placement on the Vice President’s List.
For the Spring 2023 semester, there were 197 students on the list.
East Central College recognizes students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement each semester.
Upon completion of at least 12 Spring semester credit hours with a semester grade point average of 3.85 or greater, students are acknowledged on the President’s List.
There were 130 students named to the list from the Spring 2023 semester.
Six East Central College Nursing Program graduates were recognized during a pinning ceremony May 13 for their hard work in the classroom and during clinicals.
Two students, Jozlyn Bolte, ECC-Rolla; and Kelsey Blackwell, ECC in Union, were presented the Outstanding Nursing Student awards.
To be considered for the ECC Outstanding Nursing Student award, the college has had to make a difference in the life of the student.
For some cases, had ECC not been in their community, they most likely would not have realized the dream of becoming a nurse. The award winners also display success in the classroom and the clinical setting.
Jozlyn Bolte is this year’s East Central College Rolla Outstanding Nursing Student. Pictured, from left, are Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Bolte, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.
Nursing student Kelsey Blackwell is the recipient of the Union East Central College Outstanding Nursing Student Award. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Blackwell, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; and Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant.
Four nursing students — Avery Akers, Nathaniel Wissman, Kelsea Smith and Kyleigh Payne — were presented with Spirit of Clinical Excellence awards from the college’s community health care partners.
Each year, Mercy Hospital Washington, Phelps Health in Rolla and Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan present nursing graduates with Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards during the pinning ceremony marking the completion of the program.
Akers received the Phelps Health award, Wissman received the Mercy award, and Smith and Payne each received a Spirit of Clinical Excellence Award from Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan.
The awards were presented to the graduates by ECC Nursing faculty from Union and Rolla.
To be consider for the Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards, the graduate nurse must demonstrate: characteristics of caring and compassion; the spirit of inquiry; exceptional critical thinking and decision making; and superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.
East Central College nursing Avery Akers received the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing award this year. She is pictured with, from left, Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Kait Roy, Phelps Health nurse recruiter; Akers, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.
Kelsea Smith
The Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award was presented to East Central College Rolla nursing student Kelsea Smith. Pictured, from left, are Nancy Tappe, nursing adjunct instructor; Julie Chirban and Jon Elias, Rolla faculty members; Cassie Friday, Missouri Baptist nurse manager; Heather Sluis, Missouri Baptist clinical educator; Smith, Jeannie Miles, Rolla faculty member; Tiffanie Alfermann, Missouri Baptist assistant nurse manager; Joannie Blakely, Rolla nursing program director; and Lavonda Lawson, Rolla nursing program administrative assistant.
Nathaniel Wissman received the Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Wissman, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; and Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant.
East Central College Union nursing student Kyleigh Payne is the Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Horn, Union nursing program administrative assistant; Tiffanie Alfermann, Missouri Baptist assistant nurse manager; Brittany Clark and Jessica Van Leer, Union faculty members; Cassie Friday, Missouri Baptist nurse manager; Payne, Dr. Connie Wissbaum, Union faculty member; Judy Bieker, Union nursing program director; Julie Beck, Allied Health program assistant; and Heather Sluis, Missouri Baptist clinical educator.
The day before she was recognized as an Educator of the Year, Julie Chirban said to her colleagues, “It is the neatest thing to see my students growing and that I get to be part of their story.”
That level of care and dedication to teaching and her students is why, in part, she was named the Missouri Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (MO-OADN) Educator of Year. Chirban, a nursing instructor at ECC-Rolla, was nominated by Joannie Blakely, ECC-Rolla Nursing program coordinator.
“Julie said she is so blessed that she has just a moment of your life, and she is part of your story,” Blakley said to the students who gathered for the award announcement. “She thinks that’s the most amazing thing.”
Chirban, of Rolla, was presented the award in front of coworkers and the first- and second-year nursing students.
“It is so cool that I get to have a footprint in your path,” Chirban said to the students. “To me it’s such an honor and blessing and I can’t imagine anything I’d rather do.
“You’re going to do amazing things and I am so excited that I get to have a part of your story.”
To be considered for this award, instructors must have three years of teaching experience in an Associate Degree Nursing program and spend more than half their time with students in classroom or clinical settings.
“She embraces new teaching strategies and technologies to reach every learning style within her classroom,” Blakely wrote in the nomination. “Julie makes learning fun while engaging and challenging students to critically think and make clinical judgments.
“She maintains the highest standards personally, professional, ethically and academically for herself and her students,” she added. “Julie is devoted and passionate about nursing education and preparing future nurses for the workforce.”
Chirban implements innovative instructional methods that encourages critical thinking and motivates students to perform at the highest level.
“Julie has a love of technology that shines in her classroom, whether it be face-to-face or online,” Blakley said, adding that Chirban recently had students create a TikTok video that showcased specific medications.
“This technique challenged students to collaborate with one another to create a teaching presentation video highlighting their medication. Students voiced the benefit of this technique especially when asked to recall apply medication knowledge.”
Chirban also is a role model as a professional nurse, she works closely with her with colleagues to the benefit of the Nursing program; and she is involved in college, professional and community activities.
“Julie collaborates with the local hospital to teach newborn classes to expecting parents and continuing education to fellow nurses and physicians,” Blakely wrote. “Julie also developed a summer community course for school-aged children on caring for newborns.”
The mission of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) is to provide visionary leadership in nursing education to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities served. OADN ensures that Associate Degree Nursing remains a pathway for a diverse spectrum of students, enriching the profession and meeting the health care needs of patients, families and communities.
Students and faculty members from the East Central College Nursing program recently attended the Missouri League for Nursing (MLN) 10th Annual Nursing Student Convention.
At the convention, Union nursing student Nathaniel Temme, was awarded the MLN Student Scholarship for 2023. This is the third consecutive year that an ECC nursing student received an MLN scholarship.
ECC Nursing program instructor Brittany Clark described Temme as a “driven and determined student.”
“He maintains positive relationships with his peers and nursing faculty,” Clark said. “When in the clinical environment, Nathaniel always promotes patient safety and is able to effectively and efficiently provide nursing care.”
“He will be a great asset to any health care organization and the profession of nursing,” she added.
Students also took on leadership positions within the MLN, including Union student Scottia Burrows and Rolla student Kelsea Smith, who were selected as Student Ambassadors for the statewide organization.
Nursing faculty members also attended the MLN conference, including Brittany Clark, Judy Bieker, Joannie Blakely, Jon Elias and Dr. Connie Wissbaum, who presented on the “Strategies for a Flipped Classroom.”
MLN is a not-for-profit organization established in 1953 to support the delivery of quality health care by nurses and other health care providers through education, collaboration and information.
It is the leading organization for promoting excellent health care through programs designed to meet members and health care professional’s continuing educational needs.
MLN is committed to collaboration and networking with other professional organizations and coalitions across the state. It is one of the top constituent leagues in the nation.
Four East Central College students were named to the All-Missouri Academic Team, and one also was recognized nationally.
Kelsea Smith has been named a 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and received a $1,500 scholarship.
Smith and Elise Jeffers, ECC Rolla; and Brooklyn Hyatt and Annika Brunner, Union campus, were named to the 2023 All-Missouri Academic Team. The students were recognized by Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) and the Phi Theta Kappa national honor society at a ceremony sponsored by MCCA on April 13.
Each student received a medallion and certificate to honor their achievement along with a $250 cash scholarship underwritten by MOHELA (MO Higher Education Loan Authority). The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, along with participating corporate partners, sponsors the Academic All-USA competition for students attending two-year colleges.
PTK ranks applicants nationally, then forwards results for students to the MCCA. The top 53 students statewide were named Academic All-State award winners.
ECC annually nominates two to four students per site for the All-USA Team, which automatically qualifies the nominees for the All-Missouri Academic Team. Nominees complete a lengthy scholarship application, including information about their campus and community activities, and details and a letter of recommendation regarding a “significant endeavor” done during their time as a community college student.
Smith’s Coca-Cola Academic Team honor is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, which recognizes 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.
Smith and other Coca-Cola Academic Team members were recognized internationally during PTK’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst. Which was held in Columbus, Ohio, April 20-22.
“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of PTK. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world by supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year.
PTK is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.