2020 Edgecombe Community College President's Report - Moving Forward in a Pandemic

EDGECOMBE COMMUNITY COLLEGE P R E S I D E N T ’S R E P O R T MOVING FORWARD IN A PANDEMIC

2020

Contents

A Message from the President ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 Value: Integrity ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 2 Value: Quality ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4 Value: Opportunity ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6 Value: Student Succes �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10 Value: Diversity and Equity ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 13 Value: Collaboration ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15 Coronavirus Response �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18 Board of Trustees����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22 College Foundation ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 24 2020 ECC Giving Circles ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������30 Financial Statements ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 32

Mission

ECC’s mission is to strengthen and enrich the educational, training, and lifelong learning opportunities for our community.

Vision

We aspire to be an exemplary leader and training partner fostering student success and community prosperity for all.

Values

Integrity Quality Opportunity Student Success Diversity and Equity Collaboration

On The Cover:

In March 2020, most courses shifted from face-to-face to online delivery, with a number offered as a hybrid of online and in-person instruction, such as this biology class, which was delivered through synchronous learning. Half of the students attended class in person, while the other half logged in during the class for online instruction in real time.

A Message from the President Though 2020 presented many challenges, I am extremely proud of all that we accomplished at Edgecombe Community College. With a can-do spirit, we found ways to respond, adapt, and even excel in the face of the challenges and adversity of the pandemic. Our students adjusted to new kinds of instruction, our faculty adjusted to new instructional tools and delivery modes, and our staff adjusted to new and multiple ways to serve and support.

Our college’s success is also a reflection of the steadfast support of our community. As I say often in adapting the ancient African proverb, it truly takes a village to educate a student. The collective support we receive from our trustees; foundation board; advisory committee members; clinical, workforce, and educational partners; donors; and others helps our college fulfill its mission and realize its vision to be all that it can be for the benefit of our community.

In the midst of a pandemic, we celebrated many achievements. We launched a new program in Agribusiness Technology. Our new Ophthalmic Medical Personnel program received initial accreditation. Our Nursing and BLET programs earned continuing accreditation, and SACSCOC approved our college’s monitoring reports with no further action required.

ECC was the only community college in the nation to participate in a celebration of Space Grant’s 30th

anniversary in Washington, DC. The invitation was extended because of our students’ success with the High Altitude Balloon Team competition and the achievements balloon team members attained through SkillsUSA. We completed a yearlong process of self-examination and identified through broad institution-wide input new vision and mission statements for the College (see left).

We also defined new values and goals that provide the essential context and guidance for the successful execution of our mission.

As you will see, many of our successes and initiatives in 2020 support the new values, so we organized this report by value.

Please read more about the people, events, and initiatives that shaped 2020 at Edgecombe Community College.

Thank you for being champions and cheerleaders for our students and for the entire community.

Gregory K. McLeod, Ph.D. President

In March, ECC donated gloves, gowns, and masks to Vidant Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro, Nash UNC Health Care in Rocky Mount, and Edgecombe County. “We are committed to doing all that we can to help our community respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” assures ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod.

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

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Value: Integrity SACSCOC Approves Monitoring Reports

In December, the College received a thumbs-up from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) when their board accepted and approved the College’s monitoring reports with no further action needed.

The monitoring reports were prepared in response to the recommendations the College received as a result of the SACSCOC reaffirmation process in 2019. SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of higher education in the southern states.

Accreditation indicates that an institution maintains clearly specified educational objectives that are consistent with its mission and appropriate to the degrees it offers.

Nursing Advanced Accreditation Reaffirmed

In the spring, ECC’s Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs received continuing accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

ACEN accreditation is a voluntary peer-review process.

ECC’s nursing programs first received ACEN accreditation in 2015.

Though ACEN accreditation is not required for nursing education programs, it demonstrates an institution’s heightened commitment to quality instruction. “ACEN accreditation demonstrates our institution’s commitment to quality improvement to make our nursing programs the best,” says Barbara Knopp, program chair and director of nursing at ECC.

All nursing education programs statewide must be approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. ECC’s Associate Degree Nursing program can enroll a maximum of 80 students, and its Practical Nursing program can enroll up to 20 students.

Among other benefits, ACEN accreditation provides recognition that a nursing education program has been evaluated and periodically re-evaluated by a qualified group of peers. It also assures professional development opportunities and validation for faculty. In addition, ACEN accreditation enables student eligibility for funding support from federal and state agencies.

Ophthalmic Program Receives Initial Accreditation

The new Ophthalmic Medical Personnel program received initial accreditation in the spring from its international accrediting body.

In a letter to College officials, the International Council of Accreditation Board of Directors granted initial accreditation, which signifies that graduates are eligible to sit for the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology certification exam.

ECC’s Ophthalmic Medical Personnel program began in fall semester 2018. The program prepares students to perform ophthalmic procedures under the supervision of a licensed physician specializing in ophthalmology.

The four-semester diploma program curriculum was developed with input from local clinicians who recognized the need for trained individuals in the industry. All of the

The new Ophthalmic Medical Personnel program is the first evening program in health sciences at ECC.

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classes are offered in the evening, making it the first evening program in health sciences at ECC. Only three North Carolina community colleges offer the Ophthalmic Medical Personnel program. The closest one to Edgecombe County is at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst.

College Earmarks Parking Spaces for Student Veterans Reserved parking spaces for ECC students who are veterans or active duty military were designated on the Tarboro and Rocky Mount campuses in November.

A total of seven parking spaces, four on the Tarboro campus and three on the Rocky Mount campus, are reserved for student veterans. The spaces are strategically located in high traffic lots and are adjacent to building entrances.

Angie Estes, advisor and VA coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid, led the effort to designate reserved spaces for veterans. “These spaces are a small way for us to honor and show our appreciation to our veteran and active duty military students,” she says.

The reserved parking signs are attached to posts decorated in a stars and stripes theme. About 50 ECC students are veterans or active duty military.

From left, Nursing student Junica Kernizan, Army National Guard, and Angie Estes, financial aid advisor and VA coordinator, admire one of the new veterans’ parking signs.

BLET Program Reaccredited

In June, the Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy at ECC received the state’s stamp of approval to continue to train students.

The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission renewed the BLET program’s accreditation. The commission conducted an accreditation renewal audit and found no deficiencies. The program first received accreditation in 2015.

The 20-week program prepares students for entry-level employment in law enforcement. The hands-on training emphasizes high-risk calls, and students receive certification in tasers, expandable batons, and pepper spray. Additional hours in Officer Survival Training are provided.

Successful graduates of the BLET program receive 18 credits toward an associate degree in criminal justice at ECC. When COVID-19 restrictions were put into place statewide in March, law enforcement training was among the programs allowed to continue to accommodate the critical need for public safety services during the pandemic.

Jehove Santiago-Ramirez participates in physical abilities training in the 8th Basic Academy for BLET. edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

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Value: Quality ECC Named Military Friendly College

In January, Edgecombe Community College was designated a 2020 Military Friendly College by Intelligent. com, a resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning. Intelligent.com conferred the designation on 60 colleges nationwide.

Other NC schools that received the distinction are East Carolina University and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. ECC is listed as “Best Community College.”

Intelligent.com calculated the 2020 rankings through a unique scoring system that included student engagement, potential return on investment, and leading third-party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 224 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 60 making it to the final list.

About 50 ECC students are veterans or active duty military.

To recognize veterans, ECC hosts special events, including the Veterans Day Memorial and Recognition Ceremony in November. In addition, the College recently installed reserved parking spaces for ECC students who are veterans or active duty military.

Practical Nursing Program Ranked #5 in NC ECC’s Practical Nursing program was ranked #5 in the state after receiving a perfect score in September by a national nursing advocacy organization.

The top eight schools on the PracticalNursing.org list

received a 100 percent score, and ECC was listed as fifth based on program size.

PN programs were assessed on several factors that indicate how well a program supports students toward licensure and beyond.

The National Council Licensure Examination results for practical nurses also play a significant role in the ranking, and ECC boasts a perfect score. Since the program began in 2011, its graduates have achieved a 100 percent pass rate.

The College has designed a transition program for licensed practical nurses who want to become registered nurses called Advanced Placement for LPNs. “Many of our students continue their education through the LPN-ADN option of the Associate Degree in Nursing program,” explains Barbara Knopp, program chair and director of Nursing programs. “This option enables students to complete the ADN in three semesters and is designed to transition the licensed practical nurse to the registered nurse role.

College Selects Mediasite for Faculty

In July, ECC selected Mediasite to create video lectures that students can watch online.

The College is a member of the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) run by MCNC, a Mediasite partner. Through this partnership, all schools in

From left, 2019 Practical Nursing graduates included (front) Workinesh Nugussa, Shaquilla Odom, Janet Nyamwange, Jamie Burchette, Anjanae Counts, (back) Johntanae Shavers-Thomas, Kina Spain, Alyaha Cowell, Lynsey Bostic, and Johna Macklin. A group photo was not taken in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

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the state from grades K-20 have access to cost-effective technology and services like Mediasite to start or expand their digital learning initiatives – especially vital now in a COVID world. The partnership has enabled more than 20 North Carolina institutions to bring this powerful technology to students and instructors.

“Our teaching and learning strategy had to convert to fully online very quickly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Mediasite certainly helped with that transition. Being able to deploy Mediasite cost effectively through MCNC gave our College and faculty a simple way to record lectures from home,” says Arnold Worsley, distance learning technical administrator at ECC. All of the videos created automatically go into the College’s Moodle learning management system through a seamless integration with Mediasite.

National Spotlight Shines on Balloon Team

ECC was the only community college in the nation to participate in a celebration of Space Grant’s 30th anniversary in Washington, DC. Held February 25, instructors Rebecca Stamilio-Ehret and Trey Cherry attended along with four students: Emily Brake, Emilee Moore, Garrett Parker, and Harry Snell. ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod also was present.

ECC’s display highlighted the College’s success with the High Altitude Balloon Team Competition and

undergraduate research program and the successes balloon team members have attained through SkillsUSA. In 2014, the NC Space Grant launched the balloon competition for community colleges. Teams incorporate the NASA design cycle to design, build, test, and fly a scientific experiment onboard a high altitude balloon payload. ECC fielded its first team in the 2015-16 academic year.

All four of the students used their findings on balloon team projects to compete in SkillsUSA contests, resulting in national awards for each of the students.

Two groups/teams per Space Grant consortium were asked to submit proposals to present at the anniversary event. Each state, DC, and Puerto Rico have a Space Grant Consortium, for a total of 52. From these, 24 groups were selected, including ECC. North Carolina and Montana were the only states that sent two teams; Winston-Salem State University was the other NC team. Edgecombe Community College was the only community college invited. NC Space Grant provided funding to pay for travel and display expenses.

The celebration was held in the Rayburn House Office Building, where offices of the US House of Representatives are located. “It was exciting to be able to showcase our students’ talents and hard work with our friends at NC Space Grant, NASA, other schools from around the country, and leaders in our nation’s capital,” says Dr. McLeod.

From left, Emilee Moore, Rebecca Stamilio-Ehret, Trey Cherry, Emily Brake, Garrett Parker, Harry Snell, and Dr. Greg McLeod participated in Space Grant’s 30th anniversary celebration.

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

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Value: Opportunity ECC Partners with Jobs Network

ECC partnered with College Central Network® during the spring semester to help students and employers connect.

College Central Network (CCN) is a platform that provides technology to connect employers with qualified candidates.

The CCN app features opportunities for internships, parttime jobs, and full-time employment, making the job search experience easier for students.

“The process is simple for students,” explains Camille

Richardson, counselor in the Office of Student Services.

“Students register for free at collegecentral.com/ edgecombe. After completing their profile, students receive a confirmation and can then install and use the College Central Network app to interact with career services and search for and apply to jobs.”

The app also provides a quick way to sign up for career fairs, workshops, and résumé reviews, and to schedule appointments with staff. In addition, students have access to Job Agent, which automatically matches jobs to an individual student’s profile.

The service is available to ECC alumni as well. Over six million jobs have been posted on CCN, and ECC students and alumni have access to all of these postings. In addition, more than one million employers have registered and actively recruit students through the network.

Michael Jordan, vice president of student services, says, “We are excited to partner with CCN to offer this service to our students and alumni. In the past, we’ve posted local jobs when employers contact us, but this platform will enable us to provide so much more.”

High School Students Attain OSHA Certification through College Class

North Edgecombe High School students enrolled in an ECC

North Edgecombe High School students scored 100 percent on OSHA-10 certification. From left are Gregory Tillery, David Raya, Devonte Barnes, Montarius Johnson, Dar’keithein Lancaster, Dineceshia Thomas, Shykayla McKinney, Lakya Johnson, and instructor Doug Parrish, department chair of Industrial and Technical Trades at ECC.

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electrical class scored a 100 percent pass rate on OSHA10 certification in February.

The class is taught at North Edgecombe by Doug Parrish, department chair of Industrial and Technical Trades at ECC OSHA-10 certification is a nationally recognized training program that promotes workplace safety.

“This is the largest high school class I’ve taught that scored 100 percent,” Parrish says. “Most industries expect job applicants to have a minimum of OSHA-10, so these students already are a step ahead.”

The class is part of the Electrical Systems Technology – Advanced Manufacturing Pathway Certificate offered at North Edgecombe. The four-course certificate is taught over two semesters, and the certificate can be applied toward the ECC diploma program in Electrical Systems Technology.

In the fall, students take DC/AC Electricity and Industrial Safety, and spring courses are Electrical Computations and Motors & Controls. Parrish teaches all of the classes.

Small Business Center Receives New Funding to Support Local Business Owners

Over 300 local high school students and eighth graders visited the Tarboro campus in March for the Communities in Schools College Fair and College Prep Retreat. About 80 eighth graders toured the new Center for Innovation and learned about various STEM career pathways offered at ECC. Shown is Edgecombe Early College High School senior Abdur Gant (left) explaining the College’s High Altitude Balloon Team experiments to eighth graders.

ECC’s Small Business Center is ready to help local small businesses reboot, recover, and rebuild.

In June, the NC Community College System’s Small Business Center Network received new funding to support additional counseling services for small businesses. ECC’s Small Business Center is a member of this network.

Funds will be used to provide free, one-on-one counseling with clients who have been affected by COVID-19, specifically to bring in subject matter experts such as attorneys and accountants to help small businesses work through this difficult time.

The State funding was made possible by the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act. The initiative is designed to help owners of startup, for profit, e-commerce, and non-profit businesses as well as churches and religious organizations.

ECC Launches New Program in Agribusiness

The local agriculture community will be strengthened by a new degree program in Agribusiness Technology.

“Edgecombe is a highly rural, agriculture-based county, and we have seen growing interest from the community in agriculture-related education and training,” explains Dr. Johnica Ellis-Kiser, chair of Business Administration.

Estimates from Edgecombe County’s extension office note more than 3,500 jobs in agribusiness, not including seasonal workers.

“We also have strong FFA chapters in Edgecombe, and these students are interested in pursuing degrees in

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

Agribusiness Technology students toured a local contract grower for Perdue and learned about biosecurity, poultry feed, house management, and bird health.

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agriculture,” explains Dr. Ellis-Kiser, who has a background in farming. FFA is an organization for students interested in agriculture.

The Agribusiness Technology program, which began in the fall semester, will provide students with a strong background in sustainable farming, farm management, crop production, farm maintenance, animal science, and horticultural science.

ECC offers a five-semester degree program, a threesemester diploma program, and certificates in agriculture, animal science, and horticulture that can be earned in two semesters.

In addition, certificate programs in agribusiness and animal science are available for Edgecombe high school students. These credentials at the high school level can be applied toward the College’s program in Agribusiness Technology.

New EMS Coordinator and Ambulance Expand Training

ECC’s programs in emergency medical services and paramedic training are being strengthened by the hiring of a new coordinator and the purchase of an ambulance.

Over the summer, John Wilson joined the College as

coordinator of EMS and fire services training. He has more than 25 years of experience, including nearly 10 years in higher education. Locally, Wilson is a lieutenant with the Edgecombe County Rescue Squad.

“John has held numerous leadership positions in EMS agencies, and he brings that wealth of experience to the table,” notes Bruce Panneton, dean of the Division of Health Sciences and Public Safety at ECC. According to Panneton, the purchase of a new ambulance for EMT and paramedic training was indirectly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2011, ECC was the first community college in the area to operate a mobile medical simulation lab. Among other purposes, it was taken to emergency agencies for on-site training.

“High fidelity simulation became more common, and with the opening of the Lamm Building – which centers on patient simulation training – on our Rocky Mount campus in 2016, the mobile simulation lab wasn’t used as often,” according to Panneton.

“Then, the North Carolina Office of EMS announced that mobile simulators could no longer be used for EMS and paramedic training. We had to have an ambulance to provide this training.

“When the coronavirus pandemic struck and everyone

John Wilson, coordinator of EMS and fire services training, is shown with the College’s new ambulance, which will be used in EMT and paramedic training.

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shut down in March, we had instructional funds that weren’t being spent, so we began investigating the purchase of an ambulance. We found a rig with low mileage in pristine shape. It has a stretcher, backup camera capability, extra jump seating in the back, and a power load oxygen system,” Panneton explains.

“The new rig is a fully functional, ready-to-operate ambulance,” Wilson adds. “It’s an incredibly helpful piece of training equipment that will enable us to better provide EMS and paramedic training.”

Edgecombe Community College’s EMS program serves agencies across North Carolina. Students have come from as far west as Asheville and as far south as Wilmington.

The College’s fire training program serves 19 local fire departments.

Annually, ECC trains approximately 45 EMS, AEMT, and paramedic students. An additional 150 students complete various other courses offered through the College’s EMS programs.

College Receives GEER Funding to Support Students

In October, ECC received nearly $137,000 to help students cover the costs of short-term workforce training programs.

The support is part of $95.6 million in new funding for North Carolina K-12 and postsecondary students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is North Carolina’s share of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, a part of the federal CARES Act. ECC is receiving $136,906 in GEER monies. The funds will provide financial assistance to students enrolled in short-term workforce training programs leading to a state or industry-recognized credential in a high-demand field.

“Many of our students and their families continue to face financial hardships due to the pandemic,” says ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod. “We are grateful for this support which will benefit students enrolled in short-term training programs that lead to jobs.”

In order to be eligible, students must be residents of North Carolina and must be enrolled in one of the following programs at ECC: Advanced Manufacturing Academy, BLET, Construction Academy, EMT Basic, EMT Advanced, HVAC, Mammography, Nurse Aide I, Nurse Aide II, Paramedic, Phlebotomy, Solar Construction Academy, and Welding.

Qualifying students are eligible to receive up to $750 per program. Funding is for tuition, fees, books, supplies, credentialing tests, transportation, childcare, and other components of the total cost of attendance.

ECC students (l-r) Francisco Vazquez-Hilario, Clayton Garrison, and Charles Newsome get hands-on experience in a Motors and Controls course on the first day of spring semester classes. Vazquez-Hilario also is an Edgecombe Early College High School student. The Motors and Controls class is among the industry, technology, and business classes that are meeting in the new Center for Innovation on the Tarboro campus.

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

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Value: Student Success Nurses Receive Superior Scores on Licensure Exams

Recent graduates of Edgecombe Community College’s nursing programs excelled on national licensure exams. The announcement was made in early 2020.

For the eighth consecutive year, graduates of ECC’s Practical Nursing program achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The NCLEX-PN is required for practice as a licensed practical nurse.

Eleven students completed the Practical Nursing program in July 2019.

May 2019 graduates of ECC’s Associate Degree Nursing program scored 89.19 percent on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The national average is 85.17.

The NCLEX-RN measures the competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as an entry-level nurse. The Associate Degree Nursing Class of 2019 was a large class of 35 members.

These licensure exams are the capstone to nursing studies.

“We are very proud of these students for their outstanding performance on the NCLEX-PN and the NCLEX-RN,” says Barbara Knopp, director of nursing programs at ECC. “We know they are well trained, and we are confident they will provide outstanding care to patients in our communities.”

Student Honor Society Wins Eleven Awards

ECC’s student honor society won eleven awards at the virtual awards ceremony held in March by the Phi Theta Kappa Carolinas Region. Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society for students attending two-year schools.

ECC’s honor society has been a Five-Star chapter since 1996 and a Carolinas Super Star chapter since this award was established in 2000. Typically, only about sixteen chapters in the two-state Carolinas Region achieve FiveStar and Super Star designation.

To be a member of Phi Theta Kappa, students must have completed twelve credit hours in an associate degree program and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students must then maintain at least a 3.25 grade point average to remain in the group

Graduates Receive Achievement Awards

Three outstanding members of the Class of 2020 received special student achievement awards. Enam Jordan, Taylor Redwine, and William Bricen Duff earned top honors for their exceptional accomplishments.

The Dallas Herring Achievement Award was established to recognize students who embody the philosophy of the late Dallas Herring, the founder of the North Carolina Community College System. He believed that community colleges should take people where they are and carry them as far as they can go.

Kudos to graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing program, who scored 89.19 percent on their national licensure exam. The national average is 85.17.

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Enam Jordan was named the 2020 Dallas Herring Achievement Award nominee from ECC. She graduated with an associate in arts degree and plans to pursue a fouryear degree in business management.

Jordan earned outstanding grades at ECC while juggling a full-time job as a financial services representative at State Employees Credit Union and a part-time position as a youth pastor at Living Faith Fellowship. Also, she and her husband have two young children, one of whom was born while she was an ECC student.

“ECC has given me the flexibility, affordability, and support I needed to be successful in my unique situations,” she says.

Each year, the NC Community College System honors 58 students for their academic achievements. Taylor Redwine was named the 2020 NC Community College Academic Excellence Award recipient from ECC. She received an associate in science degree and plans to pursue a fouryear degree in accounting.

At ECC, Redwine was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She was an active PTK member and participated in Adopt-A-Highway, the annual canned food drive, and textbook drives.

“My community college experience has shaped me into the leader that I always knew I could be, and shaped me into the person who I am today,” she says. “I am on the right path.”

The Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award was established to recognize a student who has demonstrated exemplary leadership. William Bricen Duff is the Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award nominee from the College. Duff, who received an associate in science degree from ECC, also graduated from Edgecombe Early College High School in May. At ECC, Duff served as the Early College representative on the Student Government Association board. He was an ECC Ambassador and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, assisting in numerous service projects sponsored by this group. He also served as vice president of leadership and new member orientation leader with PTK. “While I do not hold a crystal ball to know exactly what my future holds, I do know that I have learned valuable skills for whatever life sends my way while attending Edgecombe Community College,” Duff says.

Enam Jordan Dallas Herring Achievement Award

Taylor Redwine Academic Excellence Award

Students Named to Honor Society

ECC’s Alpha Omega Nu chapter of Phi Theta Kappa welcomed eleven new members into its membership during the spring semester.

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

William Bricen Duff Governor Robert Scott Student Leadership Award

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The chapter welcomed seventeen new members into its membership during the fall semester. Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society for students attending two-year schools.

Though the organization was unable to hold induction ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the College celebrated the newest honor society members.

Spring 2020 Phi Theta Kappa inductees are Diego Alonso-Galindo, Brooke Clark, Heather Etheridge, Quantira Farmer, Janice Kornegay, Nikita Purvis, Nahdia Sharp, Kymberly Sisk, Yasheeka Spruill, Jonah Ussery, and Erica Vincent.

Fall 2020 Phi Theta Kappa inductees are Caden Barfield, Sydney Bristow-Smith, Cheryl Dianne Bynum, Brinkley Dew, Sarah Ensing, Kimberly Harris, Elise Hines, Felix Jenkins III, Dakota Jones, Nikki Knight-Barnes, Yu Lian Lin, Alanna Moore, Camryn Newcomb, Madison Parkerson, John Taylor, Dustin Van Horne, and Sara West.

Tamara Frank-Pourvady, a professional tutor at the College, serves as advisor to the honor society.

To be a member of Phi Theta Kappa, students must have completed 12 credit hours in an associate degree program and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students must then maintain at least a 3.25 grade point average to remain in the group.

Medical Assisting student Miccah Tillery was awarded a free laptop in January. An anonymous faculty member gives a laptop to an outstanding student each year to reward student achievement.

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All twelve of the 2020 Radiography graduates passed the national certification exam on their first attempt, achieving a 100% pass rate, becoming registered radiographers, and earning the title R.T.(R)(ARRT). Ten of the twelve graduates secured employment in the x-ray/imaging profession, and two are students in ECC’s MRI program.

Shown in a photo taken in February are (l-r) students Moranda Coley and Madison Rogers working with Desiree Duncan, Radiography program chair.

ECC staff, family, and friends honored 130 graduates of Health Occupations programs during the annual Health Occupations Recognition Ceremony held in January.

Graduates completed 200 credentials in programs such as Nurse Aide, Phlebotomy, Medication Aide, and Community Health Coach. Some students completed more than one program and earned multiple credentials.

Value: Diversity and Equity ECC Celebrates Black History Month

Edgecombe Community College students and employees, local officials, and area residents learned about black farming and the role of farming in health and wellness during the College’s annual Black History Month celebration held in February.

The event focused on “Black Farming: Its History and Relevance to Sustainability in Our Community.”

Keynote speaker Kendrick Ransome, CEO of Golden Organic Farms, motivational speaker, and former ECC student, has been farming in Edgecombe County for four years. He cited the lack of black farmers, noting that less than two percent of the nation’s farmers are black, and encouraged young people in the audience to consider farming as a career.

Ransome also encouraged the audience to look to the land for wellness. “There are so many different ways we can tie good health back into agriculture,” he said. “Just having your hands in the soil has been proven to reduce depression.”

A panel of local leaders offered perspectives on healthy eating and access to healthy foods. Panelists were: • Rev. Richard Joyner, Director, Conetoe Family Life Center • Shoneca Kent, Extension Agent, Community and Rural Development, Edgecombe County Center • Mary Jane Lyonnais, Community Health Advocate, Albemarle Regional Health Services • Yvonne Murphy, Health Matters Associate, Edgecombe County Center Minister Willie Moore of Word Tabernacle Church

performed several musical selections during the event. ECC students Lexus Regan, Ja’Nausja Sanders, Bobbie Johnson, and Dwayne Alexander also participated by introducing the speakers and reading special selections.

The Black History Month celebration was sponsored by the Division of College and Career Readiness, the Student Government Association, and the Student Success Center at ECC.

College Receives State Funds to Strengthen Technology

In December, the College received more than $850,000 for the Rural College Broadband Access project from the NC Community College System to address technology needs, access, and security.

This funding will assist ECC with critical information technology infrastructure and network security improvements.

The College will use the funds in coordination with the NC Department of Information Technology, the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina, and the NC Community College System to strengthen fiber optics to enable future internet speeds of 10G on both the Tarboro and Rocky Mount campuses. Funds also will be used to upgrade campus WiFi and enhance outdoor wireless capabilities.

According to the NC Department of Commerce, Edgecombe County is the most economically distressed county in the state. Experts say that more than one out of every three households in the county has no internet access, which puts many ECC students at a disadvantage, especially during the pandemic when a majority of classes

Kendrick Ransome (holding microphone) gave the keynote address at the Black History Month celebration. Local leaders participated in a panel discussion, seated from left are the Rev. Richard Joyner, Yvonne Murphy, Shoneca Kent, and Mary Jane Lyonnais.

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are online. For these students, access provided by the College is a critical lifeline.

College officials surveyed students early in the pandemic, and a majority of their concerns were tied to technology. To meet their needs, campus libraries have remained open to current students who lack access. In addition, with the help of private donations, ECC purchased Chromebooks to lend to students who lack devices.

“At no time in the history of Edgecombe Community College has funding to strengthen our technology resources been more critical or more appreciated,” says ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod. “This funding will assist ECC beyond measure to advance the College and to benefit our students and their families.”

Taxpayer Empowerment Event Held on Campus

NC Revenue Secretary Ronald Penny and representatives from the District Office of Congressman G.K. Butterfield joined community leaders at ECC in February for an event hosted by Tax Time Allies.

The goal of the event was to inform local residents about Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and North Carolinasponsored free tax preparation options available during tax season, including Free File, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.

District Director Reginald Speight spoke on Congressman Butterfield’s behalf about how free IRS-sponsored resources help improve the financial well-being of low- and moderateincome North Carolina taxpayers.

“IRS-sponsored free tax preparation services are critical resources for thousands of North Carolinians, providing hardworking taxpayers with the help they need to safely and

accurately prepare and file their tax returns,” Speight said.

“I know constituents rely heavily on these critical resources to improve their financial well-being, secure their financial futures, and keep more of their hard-earned money in their wallets.”

President Repurposes Offices for Part-time Faculty

When Dr. Greg McLeod, president of ECC, began his community college career some 17 years ago, he was a part-time developmental math instructor.

Typically, part-time instructors do not have private offices, and such was the case with Dr. McLeod. He reports that finding a quiet corner on campus in which to work was a challenge.

When offices became available on both the College’s Tarboro and Rocky Mount campuses, Dr. McLeod repurposed several to be used as needed by part-time faculty.

Regina Lyons, who has been a part-time developmental English instructor at ECC since 1987, teaches one or two classes each semester.

“I’ve used the library and even the student lounge as a work space,” she says. “Having an office is very convenient and helps me work more efficiently.”

ECC employs 87 part-time faculty, but about half of these teach only online classes and don’t have face-to-face contact with their students. For those who do, the newly designated office space has made their work life easier.

“For me, it’s been a morale booster,” Lyons says. “I have always enjoyed working at ECC, and now I enjoy it even more.”

Officials on hand for the Tax Time Allies event included (from left) ECC Vice President of Student Services Michael Jordan; District Director Reginald Speight of the District Office of Congressman G.K. Butterfield; Edgecombe County Commissioner Viola Harris; NC Revenue Secretary Ronald Penny; and NC Representative Shelly Willingham.

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Value: Collaboration SBC Director Receives State Award

Katelyn Edmondson, director of the Small Business Center at Edgecombe Community College, received an Innovation Award in January from the NC Community College System Small Business Center Network.

Edmondson received the Innovation Award – Programs and Seminars, along with Theresa Peaden, director of the Nash Community College SBC, and Melissa Evans, director of the Wilson Community College SBC. These SBCs formed a three-way collaboration to launch the first Ag Summit in their region. Known as the N.E.W. Business of Agriculture: Regional Opportunities for Growth in Nash, Edgecombe, and Wilson Counties, the free event was held at Wilson Community College in November 2018.

More than 200 participants heard presentations and toured exhibits featuring local and regional agriculture experts, who provided up-to-date information and resources for food and farming businesses.

“Through the Ag Summit, we were able to connect with farmers on the business side of the industry, which sometimes goes unnoticed,” Edmondson says. “The ag experts covered a broad range of topics, from starting a food-based business to growing industrial hemp to incorporating agritourism at an existing farm.”

The annual statewide awards honor achievements of Small Business Centers and their directors.

Located at all 58 community colleges in the state, Small Business Centers contribute to North Carolina’s economic development, starting an average of 700 small businesses and creating or retaining more than 3,000 jobs each year.

Katelyn Edmondson, director of the Small Business Center at ECC, received a state Innovation Award. She is shown with ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod.

ECC and Food Bank Provide Free Food Boxes

ECC and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina gave away 500 boxes of food to area residents in September.

The free food distribution event took place on the College’s Rocky Mount and Tarboro campuses. Two hundred and fifty boxes were distributed on each campus.

The food drive was spearheaded by the Division of College and Career Readiness (CCR) at ECC. According to LaShawnda Washington, director of CCR, the idea for the food drive began with an appeal from the NC Community College System inviting the state’s 58 community colleges to participate in a statewide effort to serve their communities.

“That memo stayed on my mind,” Washington explains, “and I continued to brainstorm about what we could do to support our community. I sent an email to Larry Morris, director of partner services for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, asking if we could partner to provide food to a few families.

“He responded right away, suggesting that the Food Bank

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

ECC and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina gave away 500 boxes of food to area residents in September.

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could provide 500 boxes. I was floored. Their offer far exceeded anything I could have dreamed of!”

She adds, “It was very rewarding to see the gratitude displayed among the families receiving the food boxes.

We are so pleased that we could help our community. Our hearts are full.”

NC Wesleyan and ECC Renew MOU

North Carolina Wesleyan College reauthorized an agreement that will help qualified graduates of ECC transfer to Wesleyan. The agreement aims to provide a seamless transfer for students who enroll at Wesleyan following completion of their two-year degree at ECC. Leaders of both colleges attended the September signing held on the Wesleyan campus. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) expands upon the previously signed agreement, allowing ECC students to transfer an additional 15 hours of general education credits, whereas the last MOU allowed for 60 total transfer credits.

“At Edgecombe Community College, our goal is to strengthen and enrich learning opportunities for our students,” notes ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod. “We have a long history of successful partnerships with NC Wesleyan. For local students who prefer to complete their education in this area, our transfer agreements are especially beneficial.”

The agreement will enhance and expand the educational opportunities of Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science graduates by offering ECC graduates access to the benefits of the Wesleyan Works program, pre-admission advising, generous transfer credit and a clear definition of the transfer of courses from ECC to NC Wesleyan.

“Wesleyan has partnered with Edgecombe Community College for over a decade. We are honored that Dr. McLeod and ECC continue to value the undergraduate and graduate opportunities afforded at NCWC by renewing and strengthening this long-standing partnership,” states Michael Drew, dean of Admissions & Adult Studies.

Students who graduate from ECC and transfer under this agreement may select any of NC Wesleyan’s programs of study or may transfer to the college’s Adult and Professional Studies program. Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be in good academic standing.

The agreement brings NC Wesleyan within the reach of ECC students who may not have otherwise been able to attend the college.

Honor Society Reaches 20-Year Adopt-AHighway Milestone

ECC’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society was recognized in October for 20 years of participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program.

At least twice a year since 2000, the group has sponsored seasonal drives to pick up litter along a threemile stretch of Wilson Street in front of the Tarboro campus.

Since 2000, more than 663 volunteers have gathered over 648 bags of trash through ECC Adopt-A-Highway events.

“If we place the measure of road we picked up end to end for every cleanup, our organization cleared the equivalent of a length of highway all the way to Burlington, NC, or just short of the distance to Duck, NC, on the Outer Banks,” explains Tamara Frank-Pourvady, PTK advisor and professional tutor.

From left, Dr. Evan Duff, president of NC Wesleyan College, and Dr. Greg McLeod, president of ECC, sign an agreement that provides a seamless transfer for qualified ECC graduates to enroll at Wesleyan.

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According to a letter from the NC Department of Transportation, ECC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter has participated in Adopt-A-Highway since July 2000. “We are pleased to award you two 20-year stars for your Adopt-A-Highway signs and a new safety vest with your 20-year seal,” the letter states.

“Currently, 4,500 Adopt-A-Highway groups are cleaning approximately 9,000 miles of state-maintained roads,” the letter continues. “Last year more than 50,000 volunteers from all 100 counties picked up more than 1 million pounds of litter.”

“We are proud of our Phi Theta Kappa chapter members for their commitment to preserving the beauty and cleanliness of our highways,” says Dr. Greg McLeod, ECC president.

ECC Student Ambassadors participated in Feed the City at Mount Zion First Baptist in Rocky Mount in December.

The event was held to assist people who have been struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.

Approximately 2,000 individuals were fed during the event. From left are Student Ambassadors Nahdia Sharp and Teresa Shackleford, Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson, and Student Ambassador Kristy Claiborne.

The ECC Foundation sponsors the Student Ambassador program each year to reward academic excellence.

Tamara Frank-Pourvady, Phi Theta Kappa advisor and professional tutor, holds a safety vest with a 20-year seal presented to the College by the NC Department of Transportation.

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

Medical Assisting students volunteered in February at an American Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by Coopers Elementary School’s fourth grade classes. From left, shown are (top) Elizabeth Moreno, Kymberly Sisk, Trula Stokes, Jezreal Boyd, (bottom) Sidavia Foggs, and Lauren Lamm.

All of the students are members of the Class of 2020. Three students and Medical Assisting Instructor Julie Walker donated blood to help out.

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Coronavirus Response ECC Fills Technology Gaps

Coronavirus Timeline March 3, 2020 First case of COVID-19 is diagnosed in North Carolina.

March 23, 2020 Limited in-person instruction resumes in law enforcement training and select healthcare programs to accommodate the need for public safety and public health services.

The Student Resource Center opens for students who lack reliable internet access or devices. Employees begin teleworking if they can carry out their duties from home.

Summer 2020 Summer courses are delivered online except in those subject areas deemed essential

by Governor Roy Cooper: healthcare, transportation, facility maintenance, infrastructure, manufacturing, and customized training.

August 20, 2020

March 16-22, 2020 ECC classes are suspended for a week to enable faculty and staff to prepare to move classes online. College facilities are closed to the public until further notice.

All College activities are cancelled.

May 2020 An employee COVID-19 Task Force is convened to help prepare the College for an eventual return to campus.

August 7, 2020 College celebrates the Class of 2020 with a Drive-Thru Graduation Parade on the Tarboro campus..

Fall semester begins.

Employees begin a hybrid oncampus/telework schedule.

On-campus services are provided to students with safe practices in place.

Most classes are delivered online, with some offered as a blend of online and inperson instruction. Staff begin tracking student and employee December 2020 COVID-19 cases.

To strengthen the College culture of openness and accountability, employees log their on-campus/telework status on a shared digital form.

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Like other community colleges in North Carolina and per State directive, ECC began shifting face-to-face courses to online delivery mid-March.

“When we had to move courses online, we knew that many of our students do not have reliable internet access or computers,” explains ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod. “To assist these students, the College established the Student Resource Center in the Tarboro campus library in order to provide students with internet access and technology.”

Computers, resource materials, and tutoring services were available to students in the Student Resource Center, and social distancing and regular cleanings were implemented.

When College officials were notified on April 17 that an ECC student had tested positive for COVID-19, the Student Resource Center was immediately closed. Though the health and safety of the College community is priority one, closing the center also meant that some students were left without resources.

Lynwood Roberson, executive director of the ECC Foundation, contacted several corporate partners and individuals seeking support to purchase technology, and two pitched in straightaway. The anonymous donors contributed a total of $15,000 to enable the College to purchase 50 Chromebooks for students.

Once the Chromebooks were ordered, College officials began reaching out to students who needed them.

ECC student Jacquetta Pittman, who received a Chromebook, was a regular visitor to the Student Resource Center before it closed. “I am so appreciative,” she says.

“This computer will help me finish my classes, and I can stay in school.”

Thanks to generous donors, ECC purchased Chromebooks to loan to students who lack technology. Shown is ECC Librarian Burton Holderness checking out a Chromebook to student Jacquetta Pittman.

Nursing Student Ready to Launch Her Career

Rocky Mount Campus Library Reopens

Kaila Boulden

The Rocky Mount campus library, which closed in March, reopened in June to current students who need technology access.

The coronavirus pandemic accelerated the shift from nursing student to employed nurse. In April, Kaila Boulden, a senior in the Associate Degree Nursing program, said she is anxious to make the switch.

Like other community colleges in North Carolina and per State directive, ECC began shifting face-to-face courses to online delivery mid-March. Several exceptions included programs in public safety and public health, which were permitted to continue to respond to the pandemic.

Nursing programs were among the exceptions. Boulden admits that the transition to distance learning was challenging. “COVID-19 has made life stressful in more than one way,” she says. “Having to switch from face-toface instruction to online has been tough. I’m thankful that I’m in my last semester, because I have a foundation of knowledge that made the shift easier.”

To help ease the current nursing shortage that has been intensified by the pandemic, the North Carolina Board of Nursing reinstated the graduate nurse status, which will enable Boulden and her Class of 2020 classmates to work under the direction of licensed RNs until they can take the licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN. She credits her ECC instructors with helping her become a skilled and confident nurse. “I think flexibility and confidence in my knowledge and skill set will definitely help make this transition easier.”

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

In June, ECC opened the Rocky Mount campus library to current students who need technology or internet access to complete summer coursework. The library closed in March.

While College officials continue to monitor the coronavirus pandemic and plan for fall semester, students enrolled in summer classes expressed an immediate need for technology.

The online summer semester began May 18. Students received a survey early in the semester requesting feedback on their needs in order to complete their coursework.

According to Michael Jordan, vice president of student services, about 200 students responded to the survey, and a majority of their concerns were tied to technology – students either lacked a device or did not have reliable access to the internet.

“To better serve our students taking summer classes, we decided to open the Rocky Mount campus library to current students who need access to computers or the internet,” he explains.

“We will continue to provide virtual tutoring services and other virtual support services, but technology was a pressing need for a number of students.”

College officials opened the Rocky Mount library because a majority of students who indicated a need for technology live near the Rocky Mount campus.

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College Holds Drive-Thru Graduation Parade

Commencement 2020 at ECC was a departure from previous graduation events as the college celebrated the Class of 2020 with a Drive-thru Graduation Parade on August 7.

“Graduation is a milestone event,” says ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod. “In an effort to ensure that graduates had a memorable celebration with social distancing and other safety precautions in place, we opted to host a drive-thru event this year.”

About 160 graduates participated in the Drive-thru Graduation Parade. The parade route began behind the Fleming Building on the Tarboro campus and wrapped around the back of campus on the Loop Road, with various stations set up along the way to honor graduates.

In pre-recorded remarks by Dr. Jerry Price, chair of the ECC Board of Trustees, he said, “Graduates, you have many reasons to be proud of your accomplishments, not the least of which is persevering through this last, difficult semester of Spring 2020.”

ECC’s Class of 2020 comprises 500 students who received 600 degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Twentythree of these students completed Adult High School Equivalency and Adult High School diplomas.

Keynote speaker Captain Kim Wittig of the Rocky Mount Fire Department told graduates in pre-recorded remarks, “While there will always be things that get in the way, find a way to finish strong. You have all been champions of finishing strong this last semester.”

EMS Responds to Pandemic

The shift to remote learning due to the coronavirus pandemic profoundly impacted teaching and learning nationwide. Hybrid course delivery that combines online

study with hands-on learning emerged as an effective teaching strategy, especially in healthcare programs.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Emergency Medical Services.

“EMS courses in general have been heading down the hybrid track,” says John Wilson, coordinator of EMS and fire services training at the College. “What COVID-19 did was speed up that timeline.”

Wilson, a paramedic for the past 26 years, says ECC offers flexible options to complete EMT and paramedic coursework, including online and in-person evening classes.

The College’s EMS program serves agencies across North Carolina. Annually, ECC trains about 45 EMT, AEMT, and paramedic students. An additional 150 students complete various other courses offered through the EMS program.

Social distancing and mask requirements created new protocols for these students. EMS labs typically involve lots of close contact. Because classes are repeated multiple times during the week, the number of students is usually small enough to accommodate social distancing.

“I think we are now in a world where we are going to wear a mask on every call. That will never go away,” Wilson says.

ECC EMS and paramedic students are taught by a team of about 35 part-time instructors, all of whom work in the field and share lessons learned on the front lines.

“This is new for everybody,” adds Adam Culbertson, a paramedic and EMS specialist at the College. “We’re going to continue to learn a lot of lessons. EMS is a stressful environment, and it takes a toll. But the biggest thing is that we don’t consider ourselves heroes. When we signed up to work in EMS, we knew this day might come.”

Dorinne Williams, who received a degree in Early Childhood Education, was among the nearly 200 graduates who participated in the College’s Drive-thru Graduation Parade in August.

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Respiratory Therapy Graduates Rise to Demands of COVID-19

When Hailee Griffin first reported to Nash General Hospital in May, she was working under a provisional license in an effort to get more respiratory therapy graduates in the field to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was like a ghost town,” Griffin says of the Rocky Mount hospital’s COVID-19 wing. “No family; no visitors; just the sound of ventilators.

“It was hard. I was a new respiratory therapist trying to learn how to treat patients and then trying to work through a pandemic. It was a little overwhelming.”

Griffin, 20, is one of eleven ECC graduates who completed the Respiratory Therapy program in May. But because the coronavirus swept the nation during their last semester, the rollercoaster ride for these eleven students was filled with fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

“At first, I was really scared that it would put us behind, and we might not graduate until next year,” says 26-yearold Casey DeBlaker. “But the opposite happened. It put everything on super speed.”

The COVID-19 virus affects the respiratory system, so respiratory therapists were in high demand when the pandemic started to sweep across the country last spring.

Tim King, program chair of ECC’s Respiratory Therapy program, describes the beginning of the pandemic as chaos. As quickly as he and other faculty made backup plans at the College, those plans had to be abandoned the next day.

“We had to accept that chaos was the norm,” he says.

“We had to be flexible.”

The Respiratory Therapy program is a five-semester

degree program. Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing, for example, from a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema.

North Carolina’s respiratory therapy licensing board and the national accreditation organization both acted quickly, according to King. First, the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care lifted certain requirements for students.

Next, the N.C. Respiratory Care Board allowed senior students to work immediately under provisional license prior to taking state exams.

“I did have some anxiety about not graduating,” says Cecelia Jenkins, 21. “But the instructors were very reassuring, and the state was very flexible.”

Jenkins, who works at Wake Med Hospital in Raleigh, credits the College with preparing students to work on the pandemic front lines.

“I was expecting to be thrown into a raging fire,” Jenkins says, “but that didn’t happen. I felt prepared. I was just excited to be out working in my field.”

What began as a turbulent time for faculty and students in ECC’s Respiratory Therapy program turned into a success story, King says.

“I’m proud to see our students move on and do great things, especially during a global pandemic,” he says.

Although the state gave the students an additional year to take and pass their state exams, the eleven members of the May graduating class took their tests over the summer.

Ten of the eleven passed on their initial attempt, and they’re now working at various hospitals across North Carolina.

“Hospitals need more well-trained practitioners,” King adds. “There is a high demand for our graduates.”

Hailee Griffin, a May graduate of ECC’s Respiratory Therapy program, is a respiratory therapist at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.

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Board of Trustees Trustees Re-elect Chair and Vice Chair

In August, the ECC Board of Trustees re-elected Dr. Jerry Price as chair of the board and Gloria Wiggins-Hicks as vice chair.

A trustee since 2009, Dr. Price has served as board chair since 2017. He also chairs the board’s Executive Committee. He is a retired Tarboro dentist.

Wiggins-Hicks has been a board member for twentythree years. She is vice chair of the board’s Executive Committee and a member of the Building and Grounds Committee. She also sits on the executive board of the NC Association of Community College Trustees.

Wiggins-Hicks is a retired community relations manager of Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant.

Dr. Jerry Price

Gloria Wiggins-Hicks

Local Leader Joins Board of Trustees

Tarboro resident William “Kenny” Parker was appointed to a four-year term on the Edgecombe Community College Board of Trustees in August.

Appointed to the board by Governor Roy Cooper, Parker holds two ECC degrees: an associate in applied science degree in business administration and an associate in applied science degree in industrial management.

He also attended North Carolina A&T State University.

Prior to attending college, he served in the U.S. Army and received numerous recognitions, including the Bronze Star Medal for his service in the Vietnam War. Following military service and college, Parker worked for many years at Consolidated Diesel, retiring in 2008 as operational business manager. He then worked part time at ECC as a life coach with the minority male mentoring program, where he provided encouragement and assistance to help students successfully complete their studies.

A community leader, he is pastor of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Oak City, chair of the Vidant Community Development Board Tarboro, member of the Vidant Health Foundation and Vidant Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees, member of the Edgecombe County Human Services Board, co-chair and member of the Edgecombe County Cancer Foundation, chaplain of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, and volunteer with the American Red Cross.

“Mr. Parker will be a strong asset to the college’s Board of Trustees,” says Dr. Jerry Price, chair of the board. “His prior

Carol White (left), Edgecombe County Clerk of Court, delivers the oath of office to (l-r) Carl Warren, who was reappointed to the ECC Board of Trustees; and Kenny Parker, who is a new board member.

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work and military experiences along with his work at ECC, in the community, and on local nonprofit boards will be tremendously valuable to the board and to the college as a whole.”

In addition to the appointment of Parker, Wick Baker and Carl Warren were reappointed to the board for four-year terms.

The ECC Board of Trustees has twelve members, each serving a four-year term. The Office of the Governor appoints four members. The Edgecombe County Board of Education and the Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners each appoint four members.

Vidant Executive Appointed to Board

Dr. Patrick Heins, president of Vidant Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro, was named to the ECC Board of Trustees in November.

Appointed to the board by the Edgecombe County Board of Education, he fills the position formerly held by Wick Baker, who served on the board from 2007 until September 2020. Baker and his wife, Kristi, moved to Texas.

“As a trustee, I hope I can provide insight into the current and future needs of healthcare so that Edgecombe Community College can continue to best meet those needs,” Dr. Heins says. “ECC has produced high quality graduates for years, and I hope to be part of continuing that trend well into the future through a diverse faculty, staff, and student body.”

In November, Dr. Patrick Heins was appointed to a fouryear term on the ECC Board of Trustees. Shown presiding at the official swearing-in ceremony is Carol White, Edgecombe County Clerk of Court, who delivered the oath of office.

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

Dr. Heins has served Vidant Health since 1996, in management roles since 2001. His first position with Vidant Health was as a nursing assistant. After earning registered nurse credentials, he worked as a staff nurse in the surgical intensive care unit at Vidant Medical Center.

From this post he went on to become administrator of outpatient services at Vidant Medical Center, then vice president of nursing services at Vidant Duplin Hospital in Kenansville, followed by vice president of patient care services at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital. Prior to being named president of Vidant Edgecombe, he was president of Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie.

Dr. Heins holds a doctorate of nursing leadership from the University of Maryland, a master’s of business administration from East Carolina University, a bachelor of science in nursing from ECU, and a bachelor of arts in criminal justice from the University of Maryland.

Locally, Dr. Heins is a member of the Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce, Area L AHEC Board, Strategic Twin-Counties Education Partnership Board, and a volunteer with the Greenville Homeless Shelter.

In addition to his many years of service in healthcare, Dr. Heins was a major (retired) with the U.S. Army Reserves, serving in the Psychological Operations Battalion. He completed multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The four-year term of Tarboro resident Betty Jo Shepheard ended in June on the ECC Board of Trustees.

Appointed to the board in 2016 by former Gov. Pat McCrory, Shepheard is the Eastern Representative for U.S. Senator Richard Burr. College trustees and employees honored Shepheard during a June 4 board meeting. Among other contributions, she served as a member of the board’s Personnel Committee. Pictured, Dr. Jerry Price (left), board chair, presents Shepheard with a resolution honoring her distinguished service to the College and Edgecombe community.

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College Foundation The Edgecombe Community College Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to aid, strengthen, and further the work and services of Edgecombe Community College. A primary focus of the ECC Foundation is to provide funding for scholarships awarded to students attending the College. During the 2019-2020 academic year, the ECC Foundation funded $125,000 in scholarships benefitting 165 students. In addition to funding scholarships, the ECC Foundation sponsors the Student Ambassador program, the Keihin Endowed Faculty Chair Award, the Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Staff Award. The ECC Foundation also supports the College’s faculty and staff by providing mini-grants to enhance educational programs and professional skills.

ECC Foundation Board of Directors Jean Bailey, President Bernice Pitt, Vice President Josie Davis, Secretary Jim Marrow, Treasurer Alison Boyette Kristen Brabble Bill Clark William Davis Curtis Edmondson Ronnie Ellis Angela Gailliard

Jamilla Hawkins Susan Hoke Jessie Jones Robert Ladd Tina Parker Martha Pritcher Eddie Stocks Jane Thorne Ann Warren Ralph Webb

League of Women Voters Twin Counties Establishes Scholarship

In early March, the League of Women Voters Twin Counties established a scholarship at Edgecombe Community College that will support female students enrolled in nontraditional programs.

Part-time or full-time students in technical programs such as welding, automotive systems, collision repair and refinishing, industrial and technical trades, respiratory therapy, and radiography will be eligible to apply for the annual award.

“We were interested in assisting students in attaining careers for financial self-sufficiency,” explains Melanie Goff Bradley, president of the League of Women Voters Twin Counties and a graduate of ECC’s Health Information Technology program.

“Our organization is especially interested in supporting female students who are returning to school later in life,” she adds. About 73 percent of ECC students are female.

“We are in an area where most of our students are struggling financially,” explains Lynwood Roberson, executive director of the ECC Foundation. “They have great dreams, and they work hard to be successful in their programs of study, but sometimes their financial needs cast a shadow over their educational goals. We are grateful to the League of Women Voters Twin Counties for easing the burden of our students.”

From left, Lynwood Roberson, executive director of the ECC Foundation, receives a contribution from Pat Adams (center) and Melanie Goff Bradley of the League of Women Voters Twin Counties. The organization established a scholarship benefitting female students who are enrolled in non-traditional programs.

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Local Sorority Endows Scholarship

In June, the Rocky Mount Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. endowed a scholarship at ECC that will support African American students from the Twin Counties.

The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University to promote academic excellence and provide assistance and support through established programs. More than 107 years and 1,000 alumnae and collegiate chapters later, these fundamental missions still guide the organization.

The sorority contributed $5,000 to ECC to endow the scholarship, which is restricted to full-time African American students – male and female – who are residents of Edgecombe County or Nash County. Students must have been a legal resident of North Carolina for the past five years. They also must be able to demonstrate leadership in a community, religious, or ECC student organization.

Current students need a GPA of at least 2.75 to be eligible to receive the scholarship.

“We are a not-for-profit organization whose main purpose is to provide assistance and support in our community,” explains Barbara B. Smith, president of the Rocky Mount Alumnae Chapter. “We’re all collegeeducated women, and we recognize the value of higher education. It is also important to us that we pay it forward.”

By endowing the scholarship, “we will be supporting students now and for years to come by helping them fulfill their goal of earning a college degree. We also are addressing economic development and community service,” she adds.

“The scholarship will provide financial assistance to help a student pursue higher education and ultimately obtain a degree or certification, leading to better employment opportunities and opportunities for community service.”

Delta Sigma Theta is a member of the National PanHellenic Council (NPHC), a collaborative organization of historically African American, international Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities.

The Rocky Mount Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is the first NPHC organization in the Twin Counties to endow a scholarship at Edgecombe Community College.

“We’ve always been a trendsetter,” Smith explains.

“Our sorority members marched in the Woman Suffrage Procession in 1913,” a pivotal event that called for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote.

Smith was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta in 1982 when she was an undergraduate at North Carolina Central University. “Membership is a lifetime commitment,” she

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

From left, Barbara B. Smith, president of the Rocky Mount Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Lynwood Roberson, executive director of the ECC Foundation; Dr. Greg McLeod, president of ECC; and Lesterine Sturdivant, chair of the sorority’s scholarship task force, complete the details surrounding the chapter’s endowment of a new scholarship.

In July, leaders at Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corporation presented $1,000 to ECC to support student scholarships. Edgecombe-Martin EMC provides two $500 scholarships to the College annually.

From left are Lynwood Roberson, executive director of the ECC Foundation; Eddie Stocks, vice president of member and industrial development at Edgecombe-Martin EMC; Dr. Greg McLeod, president of ECC; and Winston Howell, chief executive officer of Edgecombe-Martin EMC.

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says. There are 120 active alumnae members in the Rocky Mount Alumnae Chapter.

Former ECC trustee Jessie Jones, who retired from the ECC Board of Trustees in 2018 after serving for 37 years, also is a longstanding member of the Rocky Mount Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.

“We are proud to have members of Ms. Jones’ stature, members whose lives demonstrate the power and impact of education,” Smith adds. Jones is a retired educator.

“Many of our students struggle financially,” explains Lynwood Roberson, executive director of the ECC Foundation. “They work hard to be successful in their academics, but sometimes their financial needs are overwhelming and prevent them from fulfilling their dreams.

We are grateful to the Rocky Mount Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for their commitment to higher education and to our students.”

Rocky Mount Rotary Club Presents $17,000 to ECC

The Rocky Mount Rotary Club presented ECC with $17,000 to support student scholarships.

The presentation took place during a September Rotary Zoom meeting, during which Rotary leaders presented

$51,000 in scholarship funds to support local students attending Edgecombe Community College, Nash Community College, and North Carolina Wesleyan College.

The funds were raised through sponsorships and runner fees for Tackle the Tar, a 5K obstacle course race and family fun day sponsored by the Rocky Mount Rotary Club.

Tackle the Tar 2020 was cancelled as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

According to Rotary officials, “When polled, the vast majority of those who had already paid or had committed to a sponsorship allowed us to keep the funds for distribution to the colleges. The fact that we are able to distribute $51,000 to our area colleges is a true testament to what Tackle the Tar means to our community.”

“Despite the cancellation of the event, what you were able to do is absolutely tremendous,” remarked ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod during the Zoom announcement. “These funds provide opportunities for students who might not otherwise be able to attend college, which also benefits their families and our communities.

It takes a village to educate a student, and none of the colleges can do it alone. Thank you for your generosity and support.”

During a Zoom meeting held in September, the Rocky Mount Rotary Club presented Edgecombe Community College with $17,000 to support scholarships for local students. ECC representatives who participated in the call included student Emmanuel Agoh, (top left); Dr. Greg McLeod (2nd from top left); Lynwood Roberson (top right); and Dr. Harry Starnes (bottom left).

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Employees Receive Awards

An ECC instructor and staff member received special awards from the ECC Foundation at the College’s fall semester kickoff held in August.

The virtual kickoff for faculty and staff was held via Google Meet. The theme of the event was “Navigating the New Normal in Education.”

Laura Otrimski, psychology instructor, received the 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award.

“She has a passion for teaching, learning, and caring for her students,” said Lynwood Roberson, executive director of the ECC Foundation, in announcing the award. “She fosters a learning environment of open dialogue and uses a variety of teaching methods to instruct and inspire her students.”

Otrimski joined the ECC faculty as an adjunct instructor in 2010 and was named a full-time instructor in 2012. In addition to her role as an instructor, she is a resource for faculty who need assistance with Moodle, the College’s learning management system.

She developed and continues to oversee ECC’s online orientation to help prepare students for online learning.

Also, she serves as a special credit advisor, serves on the Distance Education Committee and ADA Accessibility Committee, and was a writer for the SACSCOC reaffirmation report.

Otrimski holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from East Carolina University and a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix.

Jimmie Williams, maintenance coordinator, received the 2020 Staff Award.

“He creates a positive atmosphere no matter what he’s doing or where he is working. He is always quick to offer an encouraging word or a song to lift the spirits of those around him,” Roberson said in announcing the award.

Williams began his career at ECC in 2010 as a porter/ groundskeeper on the Rocky Mount campus. After seven years, he was promoted to maintenance technician, where he was responsible for maintaining college facilities.

Just two years later, Williams received a second promotion to his current position as maintenance coordinator.

“He is always willing to go that extra mile, working beyond his regular schedule to ensure the campus is ready to reopen following storms and to ensure that our facilities are properly set up for events, for example. He has a real passion for our students and employees,” according to Roberson.

The ECC Foundation honored Otrimski and Williams with a $250 check and a plaque.

Laura Otrimski 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award

Jimmie Williams 2020 Staff Award

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

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Phillips/Bricks Alumni Association Endows Scholarship

The Phillips/Bricks Alumni Association endowed a scholarship at ECC that will support local students.

The alumni association contributed $6,100 to ECC in October to endow the scholarship, which is available to part-time or full-time students who are residents of Edgecombe County. Eligible students must be a graduate of an Edgecombe County high school or have been a resident of North Carolina for three years. Recipients also must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Brenda Asbury, a member of the Phillips High School Class of 1969 and historian of the Phillips/Bricks Alumni Association, says the organization “has been working extremely hard to establish the scholarship and will continue to work hard to make it grow as large as we can in the years to come.”

Asbury presented the idea of endowing a scholarship at ECC to the alumni association officers several years ago to honor their former high school, Phillips High School, which was one of four high schools for African American students in Edgecombe County.

Prior to the construction of Phillips, many African American high school students in Edgecombe, Halifax, and Nash counties attended Brick School in the Bricks community in Edgecombe County. The Brick School’s building that housed the high school students was destroyed

by fire, and students were routed to various churches until a new building was constructed, according to the Phillips/ Bricks Alumni Association website.

Phillips High School opened in 1949 and served African American students in grades 7-12. In the early 1970s, Edgecombe County schools were desegregated, and Phillips students in grades 9-12 were transferred to North Edgecombe High School. Phillips High School is now Phillips Middle School.

The first Phillips High School graduating class was in 1950, and the last class finished in 1972.

Katherine Bellamy, endowment chairman and parliamentarian of the Phillips/Bricks Alumni Association, was a member of the Class of 1972. She observes, “After college, I came back to the Edgecombe area to live, and all of the pictures and trophies from the days of Phillips High School had been taken down at the school because it was now a middle school. That was when I began to worry that our history and heritage would be lost to future generations.

With our scholarship endowment now in place, students will have an opportunity to learn about Phillips High School and the positive impact it had on this community.”

Bellamy’s parents were inspiring role models for her, but they were not high school graduates. She recalls the encouragement she received from her principal at Phillips, James Batts. “I can still hear him say, ‘Bellamy, you’re walking like you’re going somewhere.’ He had an

The Phillips/Bricks Alumni Association endowed a scholarship at ECC. Phillips High School alumni and college leaders gathered to celebrate the new scholarship, which will benefit students who live in Edgecombe County. Shown from left are Phillips High School alumni and college leaders Margaret Hunter, Maurieta Cozart, Dr. Greg McLeod, Rev. William Parker, Constance Hymes, Katherine Bellamy, Angela Sherrod, Annie Hinton, Brenda Asbury, Bettie Harrison, and Lynwood Roberson.

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enormous influence on all of us, and we hope this new endowment at ECC will provide the support students need to help them ‘walk like they’re going somewhere.’”

The Phillips/Bricks Alumni Association has had as many as 175 dues-paying members, and the group sponsors a popular reunion that is attended annually by at least 350 individuals.

“Every year, for 43 years, we’ve been awarding scholarships to Edgecombe high school students. Over the years, we’ve donated roughly $150,000 to benefit local students,” Asbury says.

“Since the last class graduated in 1972, we’re getting older,” she continues. “We want to keep the legacy of Phillips High School alive in the community. Establishing a permanent endowment at ECC is a way to keep our history and memory of the school alive. Hopefully our descendants will continue to support and grow the endowment after we’re gone.”

The Phillips/Bricks Alumni Association also hopes that its funding of an endowed scholarship at ECC will encourage other local alumni groups to do likewise. “We hope our scholarship will be the start of something good for the community college as well as the community,” Asbury says.

“Phillips High School and Brick School share a rich history and legacy, and Phillips alumni have a deep sense of pride in their school and loyalty to their alma mater,” says ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod. “We are honored

that they chose to establish a scholarship at Edgecombe Community College, which will keep their legacy alive for future generations.”

Student Ambassadors Selected

Edgecombe Community College is proud to announce Student Ambassadors for 2020-2021: • Kristy Claiborne, Medical Office Administration • Morgan McNamara, Associate in Science • Teresa Shackelford, Healthcare Management Technology • Nahdia Sharp, Associate in Science • Shakira Vasquez-Santiago, Radiography The ECC Foundation sponsors the Student Ambassador program each year to reward academic excellence. Student Ambassadors must maintain a 3.25 grade point average.

These students give campus tours, host campus activities, recruit students, assist with orientations and in the bookstore during registration, and assist with ECC Foundation activities.

For their service, the ECC Foundation provides each Ambassador with a $500 award, a red sweater set for women and a red sweater for men, an ECC polo shirt, and an Ambassador name badge.

Student Counselor Teresa Bottoms is the Student Ambassador advisor.

From left are ECC Student Ambassadors Kristy Claiborne, Morgan McNamara, Teresa Shackelford, Nahdia Sharp, and Shakira Vasquez-Santiago. The ECC Student Ambassador program rewards academic achievement.

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

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2020 ECC Giving Circles Founder’s Circle ($5,000 & Up) Sonya Bowen Comerica/Davenport Ruth Fleetwood Integrated Family Services, PLLC Adam and Catherine B. Ipock KCST NC Community Foundation, Inc. Pfizer, Inc. Phillips Bricks Alumni Association Deborah L. Reiman RMAC Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Rocky Mount Rotary Club Thomas Fleming Jr. Estate Grand Circle ($1,000 – $4,999) Jean M. Bailey Barnhill Contracting Boddie-Noell Foundation CSX Cummins Engine Plant Josie B. Davis Eastern Petroleum Corporation Edgecombe-Martin EMC Curtis L. Edmondson Ronald G. Elllis Joseph and Raquel Gallagher Intuit Financial Freedom Foundation Junior Guild of Rocky Mount Timothy J. King Dr. Deborah L. and Mr. Carnell Lamm LS Cable & System USA Dr. and Mrs. Gregory McLeod Norman Parker Pfizer Annual Giving Campaign Dr. Jerry Price Anthony J. Manley-Rook Rotary Club of Tarboro Tarboro Savings Bank Dr. and Mrs. Fletcher Taylor Amy D. Tolson Norris Tolson Universal Leaf North America

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Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments Randy Whitmeyer Katherine Winslow President’s Circle ($500 – $999) Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Wendell H. and Kristi L. Baker Robert E. Barnhill Jr. William Bourne William Clark IV Dr. Karen Coward William Davis Fred Day IV Gayle Gerdes Sharon W. Igoe Jessie M. Jones Michael Jordan Robert Ladd League of Women Voters Martha C. Pritcher Pilot Club of Tarboro Ralph D. Webb Jenny Wood Billy and Margaret Anne Wooten College Circle ($250 – $499) Dr. David Anderson Tommy Anderson Susan L. Barkalow Ami Denton Monika S. Fleming Tempie B. Fuller Nancy H. Hobbs Murdock Webbing Robert Norfleet Laura A. Otrimski Johanna S. Owens Bruce E. Panneton Joshua Pendergraft Samanthia H. Phillips Donald and Patricia Rupprecht Samantha Spencer

Norfleet L . Sugg Heather Talbot Bill and Jane Thorne Pamela Twitty Carl and Ann Cobb Warren Ted Whitehurst Sally Williford Century Circle ($100 – $249) Ann M. Alford Paige Webb Ashman Richard P. Basile Mary Tom Bass Debbie Batten Pamela Blackburn Dalanda B. Bond E.R. Briggs Joshua Briggs Dr. Robert G. Brock Angela Burton Kimberly Byron-Barnes Jane Caison Catherine Jordan Carter Trey Cherry III Doug Henry Chevrolet & Ford Patricia E. Copeland Dr. Dan Crocker Deborah L. Davis Shawn A. Dawes John Derrick Melissa Drake Cathy Dupree Nacole T. Everette Fisher Farms Partnership James R. Fleming Janet Gant Debra A. Glover Sharon G. Green Philip Haire Judge Joseph John Harper Jr. Meredith Harrell Brittany Harrelson Burton Holderness Nancy Hooks

Gwendolyn Hyman Ann W. Ipock Julie Jelks Shawna Jones Dave Kalamajka Wanda Kalamajka Barbara J. Knopp Sharon H. Kreuz Melissa Laing April Lamm Anne Lewis Brenda Lewis Francine M. Long Nancy M. Lovett James Marrow M. Melissa McDonald Sherlock McDougald Carole Mehle Christopher Mitchell Mark and Laura Moncure Mattie Mooring Belinda V. Myers NC Land & Home Network for Good Tina Parker Deborah B. Parisher Vanessa Pierce Ashley Reason Carolyn Rose Karin Ruffin Suzi Shippen-Wagner Dan and Linda Shybunko Linda Sledge William “Bud” Speight Michael Starling Beth Taylor Betty B. Temple Julie B. Thomas Ricky Thompson LaShawnda Washington Rhonda H. Wells Larry and Sheryl Whicker Gloria J. Whitaker Gloria Wiggins-Hicks Mellisa Wiliamson ZoMo, LLC

Friend’s Circle (Up to $99) James Agnew Amazon Smile Foundation Ruby Anderson Tim Barbour Fred Belfield Erikka Black Peggy Carter Kendall Cobb Norma Collins Janice Cordell Samuel J. Crews Giles Dail Jr. Angela Estes Judge Elizabeth Freshwater Smith Viola Harris Howard Haynes Varnell Kinnin Kimberly S. Lucas Jennifer R. Norville Mary O’Brien Bobby Owens Beverly Raskin Signs Now #267 Faye L. Taylor The Benevity Community Impact Fund Lynette Thomas LaKeesha Whitaker Dudley Whitley III Wykiki Woodard Arnold Worsley Memorials T.H. Boyd John I. Bradley Judge Frank Brown JoAnn Brown Shelia Burns Cordle Julius Creech Glenn Daughtridge Colleen Davenport Don T. DeBerry M.J. Denny Reggie Farmer

edgecombe.edu | 2020 President’s Report

Joyce Fellows Louise Fleming Thomas Fleming Jr. Cheryl Floyd Whit Fountain Dr. Hartwell Fuller Bob Harper Carolyn Weeks Kalamajka Mary Sampson Jordan Koonce Jessica Rodgers Leggett Coye Lewis James Long Carlton Moseley Ashley Curtis Norfleet Michael F. O’Brien David Pigg Robert Raskin Ruth Vaughn Roth James Taylor Kenny Thompson Betsy Cobb Tolson Janice Tolson Joe P. Tolson Cathe Vick James Wooten Honor Gifts Wendell H. Baker Dr. and Mrs. Charles Flynn Mr. and Mrs. T. Hooper Mr. and Mrs. J. O’Hara Larry Stroud Cas Shearin Tolson Chris Tolson DeVon Tolson Gifts-In-Kind Applebee’s of Rocky Mount Ben Blackburn Brittany Harrelson, Independent Scentsy Consultant Larema Coffee House The Bath Place The Classic Diner

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Edgecombe Community College Operating Budget July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 Revenue State ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ $14,829,711 County ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $1,899,796 Institutional �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$10,895,954 Total Revenues ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ $27,625,461

Expenditures Academic Support �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $1,942,784 Instruction ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $8,740,943 Auxiliary Enterprises ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$1,142,245 Student Services ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$1,519,731 Plant Operations ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $1,558,617 General Institutional Support ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$3,712,705 Financial Aid ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $8,085,545 Capital Outlay �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$656,640 Total Expenditures ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $27,359,210

ECC Foundation Financial Statement July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 Revenue Contributions ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ $349,097 Projects & Other Revenue ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $30,900 Interest & Investment Income ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $8,153 Total Revenue ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $388,150

Expenditures Grants/Scholarships/Other Programs ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $168,556 Operating Expenses ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $157,160 Total Expenditures ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $325,716 Net Operating Revenue �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $62,434 Total Net Assets June 30, 2020 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $2,643,180

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Edgecombe Community College Board of Trustees Dr. Jerry W. Price, Chair Gloria Wiggins-Hicks, Vice Chair Dr. Chad Cayton Timmy L. Cordell Barbara Campbell Davis Josie B. Davis Dr. Patrick M. Heins Kenny Parker Jerry W. Spruell Ricky Thompson Carl J. Warren Margaret Anne Wooten Published by the Office of the President, Edgecombe Community College Edgecombe Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, disability, political affiliation, or genetic information.

Edgecombe Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees.

Tarboro Campus 2009 West Wilson Street Tarboro, NC 27886 Rocky Mount Campus 225 Tarboro Street Rocky Mount, NC 27801 (252) 823-5166 edgecombe.edu