ECC

Students in Edgecombe Community College’s Agribusiness Technology animal care class learn how to care for a baby goat.

Whether students want to improve job skills, transfer to a four-year institution or complete a credential and enter the workforce, Edgecombe Community College provides the edge to help students succeed.

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the college has made meaningful progress in the last year and a half.

In 2020, ECC launched a new program in Agribusiness Technology to strengthen the local agriculture community.

The new Ophthalmic Medical Personnel program received initial accreditation from its international accrediting body. Ophthalmic Medical Personnel is the first evening program in health sciences at ECC.

Nursing and BLET programs earned continuing accreditation. Practical Nursing was ranked No. 5 in the state after receiving a perfect score by a national nursing advocacy organization.

Also in 2020, ECC was the only community college in the nation to participate in a celebration of Space Grant’s 30th anniversary in Washington, D.C. The invitation was extended because of students’ success with the High Altitude Balloon Team competition and the achievements balloon team members attained through SkillsUSA.

This forward momentum has continued in 2021. Practical Nursing was ranked No. 4 in the state after receiving a perfect score by Nursing Schools Almanac. Since the program’s inception in 2011, 100 percent of first-time test takers have passed the National Council

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Edgecombe Community College nursing student Workinesh Nugussa practices inserting a nasogastric tube in a patient simulator.

Licensure Examination-Practical Nursing.

Medical Assisting graduates also passed on their first try the national exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant, resulting in a 100 percent pass rate for the class.

For two years in a row, ECC has been designated a Military Friendly College by Intelligent.com, a resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning. Intelligent.com conferred the designation on only 49 colleges nationwide.

In April, ECC President Greg McLeod was one of 22 college presidents worldwide selected to receive a Paragon Award for New Presidents, presented by Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for students attending two-year schools. More than 500 college presidents were eligible to receive the award.

Paragon Awards are given to new college presidents who have shown strong support of student success by recognizing academic achievement, leadership and service among high-achieving students at their college.

ECC recently signed an agreement with N.C. A&T State University that will enable ECC Agribusiness Technology graduates to transfer into N.C. A&T’s bachelor’s degree program in agriculture education.

Edgecombe Community College has continued to safely and effectively serve students throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an effort to help students and their families recover from the pandemic, ECC has created a new scholarship program called the Edgecombe Pledge. Beginning this fall semester and extending through the Spring 2023 semester, this unique initiative will fund in-state tuition and fees for all qualifying students.

The Edgecombe Pledge is for all degreeseeking students, full time and part time. Part-time students who take just one class are eligible to receive free tuition and fees.

Continuing education students who are enrolled in short-term workforce training programs leading to a state- or industryrecognized credential also qualify for the Edgecombe Pledge.

“We are so excited about this initiative and hope it provides the assistance and encouragement for everyone who is interested in or needs to pursue an educational or workforce training credential,” McLeod said.

Also this fall, ECC will launch a new degree program in Emergency Medical Sciences. The North Carolina Office of EMS is requiring all community college paramedic programs to develop an associate degree pathway for paramedic training. ECC is expanding its existing paramedic program to meet this requirement.

The college’s current paramedic program prepares students to become certified paramedics. Additional clinical hours will not be required for students in the new pathway. Rather, the added courses will be in general education, such as English and math, leading to a degree.

Fall semester classes began Aug. 19 at ECC. Learn more at edgecombe.edu, or call 252618-6526.

Edgecombe Community College students and staff, from left, Emilee Moore, Rebecca Stamilio-Ehret, Trey Cherry, Emily Brake, Garrett Parker, Harry Snell and college President Greg McLeod participated in Space Grant’s 30th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C.