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ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod was among NC college leaders who gathered to mark the rebranding of ECU’s online teacher education program, Partnership Teach.

Colleges Reaffirm Commitment to Teacher Education Program

Edgecombe Community College was among the North Carolina colleges that celebrated in late 2019 the rebrand of a teacher education program that unites East Carolina University and 23 institutions of higher education.

On December 4, Partnership Teach was officially unveiled as the new name for the ECU College of Education’s online degree completion model. In the program, formerly known as Partnership East, students take courses at an NC community college and then transfer to ECU to complete a teaching degree.

“The name Partnership East reflected the original footprint which was only in eastern NC. We continue to focus our efforts in the east, but over the years, we have expanded our online opportunities to all 100 counties,” says Kathy Bradley, Partnership Teach coordinator. “With this being the last year we receive funding from the SECU Foundation, it was a good time to embrace the name change to Partnership Teach which better reflects our mission of growing teachers through partnership.”

During the meeting, representatives from the 23 community and two-year colleges that compose Partnership Teach resigned their agreements with ECU. Public school systems that are members of the Latham Clinical Schools Network also reaffirmed their commitments.

“Since 2003, Edgecombe Community College has been fortunate to partner with East Carolina University on this important teacher education initiative,” says ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod, who attended the signing ceremony in Greenville.

“Over the years, 19 Partnership Teach graduates completed coursework at ECC before transferring to ECU. This program is a shining example of both institutions’ commitment to outreach programs that make a genuine difference in people’s lives.”

Partnership Teach comprises Louisburg College and the following community colleges: Beaufort, Carteret, Central Carolina, Coastal Carolina, College of the Albemarle, Craven, Edgecombe, Fayetteville Technical, Halifax, James Sprunt, Johnston, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Pamlico, Pitt, Roanoke-Chowan, Sampson, Vance-Granville, Wake Technical, Wayne, and Wilson.

North East Carolina Prep seniors Jonathan Turner (left) and Marcus Wilford agree that family and friends were important factors in their decision to enroll at ECC. “My brother did the same thing and studied criminal justice,” Turner explains. “I’ve heard from many that it’s a great place to start college.”

Signing Day Celebrates New Students

More than a hundred Edgecombe County high school seniors declared their intent to attend Edgecombe Community College at ECC Signing Day held at high schools in May 2019.

Signing Day is a national initiative to celebrate students for making a commitment to higher education.

Students, parents, and College and high school officials attended ECC Signing Day events on May 14 and May 15 at North Edgecombe, SouthWest Edgecombe, and Tarboro high schools, and North East Carolina Preparatory School.

A total of 106 seniors, or nearly one-fourth of the high school seniors in Edgecombe County, declared their intent to join the student body of ECC.

“Thank you for choosing Edgecombe Community College, your county, and your community,” ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod told the students. “Whether you plan to enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year school, we believe that ECC is the best place to start and prepare for a bright future ahead.”

Graduation Highlights Outstanding Students

Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder and chief executive officer of The ActOne Group and a native of Tarboro, gave the keynote address during May 10 Commencement exercises, which marked Edgecombe Community College’s 50th graduating class. The first graduating class in 1969 had fewer than 30 members.

ECC’s Class of 2019 comprises 496 students who received 585 degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Thirtyseven of these students were recognized for completing Adult High School Equivalency and Adult High School diplomas.

Graduating student Michael Parker Jr. was honored as the 2019 Dallas Herring Achievement Award nominee from ECC. A high school dropout, he entered ECC’s Basic Skills program in 2014, successfully completed his GED, then enrolled in the business administration program. Among his many achievements, he won the Phi Theta Kappa honor society International Distinguished Chapter Member Award in 2018.

Robert “Chap” Lachapelle IV was recognized as the North Carolina Community College Academic Excellence Award recipient from ECC. Lachapelle was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the High Altitude Balloon Club. Like Parker did in 2018, Lachapelle in 2019 won the Phi Theta Kappa International Distinguished Chapter Member Award.

Tyshun Powell was honored as the Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award nominee from the College. At ECC, he served as an SGA officer and member of Phi Theta Kappa, and participated in EMPAC, the College’s minority male mentoring program.

Special presentations were made by the ECC Foundation to an instructor and a staff member. Nacole Everette, program chair of health information technology, received the 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award. Brittany Harrelson, administrative assistant for the Division of Continuing Education, received the 2019 Staff Award.

Graduation speaker Janice Bryant Howroyd is founder and CEO of The ActOne Group and a native of Tarboro.

Colleges Renew Transfer Agreement

Edgecombe Community College and North Carolina Wesleyan College reauthorized an agreement in May 2019 that will help qualified ECC graduates transfer to Wesleyan.

The goal is to enable a seamless transfer for students who enroll at Wesleyan following completion of their two-year degree at ECC.

Leaders from both colleges attended the signing ceremony held at ECC. The reauthorized agreement greatly expands the number of associate in applied science degrees from ECC that will transfer to Wesleyan. ECC degrees that are newly accepted by Wesleyan include distribution management, geospatial technology, historic preservation technology, and school age education.

Through the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement with the North Carolina Community College System, ECC graduates who have completed an associate in arts degree or an associate in science degree also may transfer to Wesleyan.

“We have a long history of successful partnerships with Wesleyan,” ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod said at the signing ceremony. “Our transfer agreements are especially beneficial to local students who prefer to stay in the area to pursue higher education.”

ECC and ECSU Sign Admission and Degree Program Agreements

Edgecombe Community College and Elizabeth City State University signed an agreement in April 2019 that guarantees admission to ECSU for qualified ECC students.

In addition, the two schools signed three degree program agreements that provide ECC students with a clear path to four-year degree completion at ECSU.

Attended by ECC and ECSU officials, the signing ceremony highlighted criminal justice, business administration, birth-to-kindergarten education, and a coadmission agreement that enables students to be admitted to ECC and ECSU simultaneously, then move to the university upon completion of their associate degree.

In addition to Edgecombe Community College students who earn associate in arts and associate in science degrees – which are offered through ECC’s College Transfer program – students who complete associate of applied science degrees in criminal justice, business administration, accounting, and early childhood education will be able to transfer to ECSU under the new agreements.

“At Edgecombe, we are dedicated to fulfilling the needs of our students,” noted ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod. “We are pleased with the opportunities this partnership provides, and we look forward to a strong, successful, and long-lasting relationship with ECSU.”

Edgecombe Community College and North Carolina Wesleyan College renewed an agreement that enables ECC graduates to transfer to Wesleyan. Signing the agreement are (seated) Wesleyan President Dr. Dewey Clark (left) and ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod. Standing from left are Wesleyan leaders Dr. Evan Duff, Michael Drew, Cheryl Barnhill, and ECC leaders Mark Lorence, Dr. Harry Starnes, Michael Jordan, and Debbie Batten.

Signing the new program and transfer agreements between Edgecombe Community College and Elizabeth City State University are (seated) ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod and ECSU Chancellor Karrie Dixon. Standing are (l-r) ECC leaders Debbie Batten, Mark Lorence, Dr. Harry Starnes, Michael Jordan, and ECSU leaders Fred Yates, Dr. Farrah Ward, Dr. Althea Riddick, and Dr. Coray Davis.

From left, Twin County higher education leaders Dr. Greg McLeod, Edgecombe Community College; Dr. Evan Duff, North Carolina Wesleyan College; and Dr. Bill Carver, Nash Community College, sign a Statement of Collaboration.

Twin County Higher Education Unites for Student Success

To demonstrate unity, the presidents of Edgecombe Community College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, and Nash Community College met in August 2019 to sign a Statement of Collaboration.

The agreement strengthens the call for collaborative discussions regarding trade-specific training and educational opportunities for the region.

ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod said, “I believe the residents of the Twin Counties and surrounding areas deserve our best, and our best can only be realized through our collaboration and teamwork. For them and for us, we can’t afford not to work together. Together we can. Together we will.”

New Drone Program is Unique in North Carolina

Edgecombe Community College launched a unique certificate program in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) in the Fall 2019 semester. ECC is the only community college in the state to offer the program.

The new drone certificate is available through the College’s geospatial technology program and emphasizes training in mapping and other geographic data, in addition to preparing students for certification testing.

“Drones are becoming an important tool for many industries as well as for government agencies,” explains Trey Cherry, department chair of information technology studies at ECC. “For example, small drones are used in disaster-related projects. An insurance adjuster can evaluate multiple homes with a drone in the same amount of time it would take to survey a single house on foot.

“We’re seeing a huge increase in drone applications, and with that comes the need for highly skilled drone aviators. That’s where Edgecombe Community College enters the picture.”

The new drone certificate can be completed in two semesters and requires seven courses. Five of the classes are online, and two meet on the Tarboro campus of ECC. Course topics include a survey of GIS/GPS, drone operations, georeferencing and mapping, and aerial photo applications.

A key unique element of ECC’s program is a focus on the legal aspects of drone aviation. Cherry explains, “If you’re using a drone for profit, you are required to have a license. One of our courses prepares students for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems flight certification through the Federal Aviation Administration and the NC Department of Transportation.

“New applications for drones are emerging constantly,” he adds. “Cell tower inspections, construction site mapping, solar farm surveys – the uses are endless. Our goal is to train drone aviators who are skilled at flying drones, understand the legalities, and know how to apply the technology.”

Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology instructors Bud Speight (left) and Kevin Strickland are leading I-CAR training.

New Auto Body Certifications Offered

In Fall 2019, Edgecombe Community College became the first community college in the Edgecombe area to offer students advanced certification through the College’s I-CAR curriculum.

I-CAR, Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision

Repair, is an international organization that provides knowledge and skills required to perform repairs.

“I-CAR offers numerous certifications, and by merging their curricula with what is already in place here at ECC, our students will earn industry-standard I-CAR certifications while they achieve ECC credentials,” explains Bud Speight, program chair of Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology.

The College’s Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology program is unique in the region. The closest similar programs are at Wayne Community College and Fayetteville Technical Community College.

Students can opt for a two-year degree, one-year diploma, or numerous certificates. The program is housed in a 7,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility that features virtual reality technology, a dustless sanding system, and a compartmentalized sandblaster.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, auto body and repair employment is expected to grow by 8 percent over the next seven years. Presently, technicians earn about $41,000 a year on average, and Speight says that salary can double or more with advanced I-CAR certifications. Part of the overall goal of the curriculum is for students to gain I-CAR certifications in their classes. As Speight explains, “For every certification, students earn I-CAR points. They carry these points with them when they go to work at auto body shops, and the shops have to reach a certain level of I-CAR points among their technicians in order to gain insurance work.”

Auto body shops also may benefit by sending their technicians to ECC for I-CAR training and certifications.

Speight says that his Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology Advisory Board was instrumental in the College’s decision to seek I-CAR credentials. ECC advisory boards are in place for about thirty ECC academic programs. The boards consist of professional leaders and community members who are experts in their field.

Collision Repair and Refinishing student Bailey Elliott learns how to use fiberglass in auto repairs.

Dr. Peggy Valentine, interim chancellor of Fayetteville State University, and Dr. Greg McLeod, president of Edgecombe Community College, sign the $10K Degree Pathway Partnership.

ECC and FSU Partner on $10K Degree Pathway

Dr. Greg McLeod, president of Edgecombe Community College, and Dr. Peggy Valentine, interim chancellor of Fayetteville State University, signed an agreement in October 2019 that permits ECC associate degree graduates to complete an online bachelor’s degree at FSU at a total cost of no more than $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, or approximately $5,000 at ECC and $5,000 at FSU.

Students eligible for federal and state grants will likely pay less than $10,000 out of pocket.

The $10K Degree Pathway Plan opens the door to affordable bachelor’s degrees to ECC graduates in these programs at FSU: accounting, birth through kindergarten (non-teaching), business administration (general), criminal justice, fire and emergency services administration, intelligence studies, nursing, interdisciplinary studies, psychology, and sociology.

“The $10K Degree Pathway Plan ensures that our students have access to the resources and support they need to successfully complete their associate degree at ECC as well as their four-year degree at FSU,” said Dr. McLeod at the signing ceremony. “We are very pleased with the opportunities this partnership provides to our students, and we look forward to a strong and long-lasting relationship with FSU.”

“We are excited to enter into this partnership with Edgecombe Community College,” said Dr. Valentine. “This agreement demonstrates both institutions’ commitment to make the cost of a college education attainable and affordable. The FSU family looks forward to serving and working with those students who seek a degree from our institution.”