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Enterprise State Community College men’s’ and women’s cross country teams are set to open their second season at the JSU Foothills invitational at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, AL.

The invitational will feature teams from NCAA Division I to junior college competitors, including conference rivals Calhoun CC, Coastal- East CC, Gadsden State CC, LBW CC, Northeast Alabama CC, Norwest Shoals CC, Southern Union CC, and Wallace State.

The Foothills Invitational is designed specifically as a season opener, with a shorter race on a flat but fast course. It is a great opportunity to check individual and team development from the offseason while competing within the College’s conference.

“I am excited for this season,” returning head coach Chris Christian said. “Each individual runner on the men’s and women’s team has put a lot of hard work and mileage into their training during the lead up to this first race. Despite the harsh weather conditions, they have never deviated from what was expected from them, and I see the hunger to compete and show off to the rest of the conference that the Weevils have come to play.”

The men’s team is highlighted by returning runners Bryan Cooper of Chipley, FL, and Nathan Kinney of Enterprise, AL. This year’s newcomers are Ethan Johnston of Dothan, AL; Cole Charles of Elba, AL; Lamar Sowell of Chipley, FL; and first-year runner Gabriel Pearson from Enterprise, AL.

The women’s team is highlighted by returning runner Ty’Andrea Tillis of Elba, AL. Newcomers are freshman Abby Allen of Geneva, AL, who had a strong high school season; Mirna Thompson of Enterprise, AL; Katie Hallman of New Brockton, AL; and Tayler Clouse of Dothan, AL. Sophomore Amber Boettcher of Ft Novosel, AL, a first-year runner for ESCC, and freshman Shelby Dewberry from Dothan, AL, representing the Wiregrass Kings, round out the group ready to make a name for themselves.

The women’s 4km race will begin at 5:45pm followed by the men’s 5km at 6:25pm on Friday, Sept. 1.

Summer at Enterprise State Community College and the Alabama Aviation College will offer plenty of interesting learning experiences for Wiregrass children and adults, including incoming ESCC/AAC students.

As of June 5, the full list of summer camps, training courses, and events includes:

• Camps –
  • Boy’s Basketball Camp – June 12-14 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Girl’s Basketball Team Camp – June 20 starting at 9 a.m.
  • Girl’s Basketball Camp (individual players) – June 21-22 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Math Bootcamp (A web-based math prep program designed to help improve math placement test scores or re-teach skills needed for fall math classes. Available for incoming freshmen or current Weevil students.) – June 20-July 31
  • FAA A&P Prep Course (prepare for FAA Airframe and/or Powerplant tests) – June 20-30 from 7 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
  • Minecraft Camp (Upper elementary students will use Minecraft: Education Edition to help develop their critical thinking skills.) – July 24-27 from 1 p.m. – 4p.m.
  • LSAMP STEM Summer Academy (a two-day camp for rising high school juniors and seniors to learn about STEM programs at ESCC, attend a college STEM class, and take part in hands-on STEM activities) – June 27-28

• Trainings –   
  • Free Skid Steer Course – June 16 -17 (must complete online work before taking hands-on lab)
• Introduction to Microsoft Excel – July 6-27 (every Tuesday and Thursday) from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

This list could be updated to reflect additional camps. Please follow the Enterprise State Community College social media pages for updates.

Starting Fall 2023, soccer players and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to play the sport at ESCC through the College’s Soccer Club, led by part-time coach Cade Stinnett.

Stinnett has a long history with the sport, starting at a young age with travel soccer and playing year-round all the way through high school before starting his coaching career. He began coaching as a volunteer assistant coach at Jacksonville High School while he was completing the physical education program at Jacksonville State University. He would go on to become the head coach at the high school.

After a short break from coaching to pursue a position playing indoor football, which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Stinnett returned to coaching as the Enterprise High School (EHS) Boys JV Soccer Coach, a position he has held for two years. He joined the ESCC family as its part-time soccer coach in May 2023.

The club is holding open tryouts on May 31 from 9 a.m. to noon at the EHS soccer practice field. For questions about the club and tryouts, contact Coach Stinnett at jstinnett@escc.edu or text (334) 494-7241.

Currently, the club is open to men and women of all skill levels who are incoming freshmen or rising sophomores and are interested in playing soccer. The goal is to eventually transition to the club to an additional team under the athletic banner at ESCC.

“My hopes for the program this year is to be able to field a team and get this program off the ground playing competitive quality soccer,” Stinnett said. “With ESCC being a two-year institution, my hope for each player is to develop their skill level at the collegiate level and get them to transfer to a four-year university to continue their athletic careers.”

Personally, Stinnett said he also plans to build a network within the soccer community “to include the coaches of the universities and establish a reputation of producing quality players to transfer to their programs.”

“I am very excited to get to work and see where this season leads us,” Stinnett said. “Go Weevils!”

On April 20, Enterprise State Community College honored several students who planned to complete technical career training through the College’s Mechatronics program during the NC3 National Letter of Intent Signing Day.
This national signing day event, sponsored by the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), mirrors the NCAA’s National Signing Day for athletes who commit to play sports in college. It is designed to honor students who are entering a technical field and to celebrate the dignity of work.
This year, Enterprise State participated in this event with 74 institutions across the country. Jennifer George, Zaydrian Daniels, Brandon Watson, James Mock and Seth Daugherty officially signed their intent to pursue technical training with ESCC.
During the event, George also received the Skilled Trades – 3M Transformational Scholarship, a national scholarship through 3M and the National Coalition of Certification Centers. This scholarship provides schools the ability to build within the community by focusing on bridging gaps of inequality with the highest standards of skilled trades and education.
George is a graduating senior from Wicksburg High School. She said she hopes to “get more into electronics and technology” through the Mechatronics program.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” George said, stating she’s excited to start the program in the fall. “This is something that I’ve wanted to do, get into a technical field with hands-on learning.”
George will also participate in the national scholarship reception with fellow scholarship recipients later this spring.
Individuals interested in pursuing technical training can still join the Mechatronics program at ESCC. Summer classes at the College begin on May 22, and fall classes start Aug. 21. Students can complete certifications, short-term certificates or a two-year associate degree.
For individuals interested in completing training through the Mechatronics program, applications can be completed online at escc.edu/apply. For questions about the program, contact recruiter Caitlin Cawley at ccawley@escc.edu.

Additional classes are coming to the Alabama Aviation College’s Andalusia site this fall for the College’s aviation maintenance technician program, bringing more opportunities for career training in a high-demand field a little closer to home.

The new class schedule at the College’s Andalusia site, located at the South Alabama Regional Airport, will be available to dual enrollment students in the Covington County, Andalusia, Opp and Crenshaw County School Systems as well as high school graduates and nontraditional students.

The new class schedule will allow students to complete the first six classes of the College’s aviation maintenance technician program (also called Airframe & Powerplant or A&P). This includes the program’s four generals courses and the first two classes of the airframe certificate program.

The six classes will be offered over a two-year rotation. Three classes will be offered each fall and spring semester. Classes will be offered from 7:30– 9:15 a.m., 9:30 – 11:15 a.m., and 12:00 – 1:45 p.m. five days a week. Fall 2023 classes begin on August 21.

For dual enrollment students, A&P classes are free thanks to grant funding through the state. For high school graduates and nontraditional students, financial aid can be used to cover the cost of tuition and fees. Financial aid will be based on the number of credit hours enrolled among other factors.

After completing classes at the Andalusia site, students will then be able to continue the program on the College’s Ozark campus.

Locally, there are jobs available now where technicians are starting their careers with a base pay of $25-32 hour. These jobs can be found with companies like M1 Support Services, which provides contract services for aircraft maintenance at Fort Novosel. Globally, according to a report from Boeing, there will be a need for 610,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians to help maintain aircraft over the next 20 years.

“I’m excited about our ‘Start at Home’ campaign in Andalusia,” AAC Campus Director Stan Smith said. “The Alabama Aviation College has partnerships with M1 Services at Fort Novosel; PSA Airlines; SkyWarrior; and McDermott Aviation, an Australian-based company with a team at the Andalusia airport.

“I get calls almost weekly from employers wanting to hire our graduates,” he said. “Some students get hired before they finish the two-year program. Within two years at the Alabama Aviation College, you can receive the training you need to provide a good living for you and your family. Start now. Don’t wait.”

For dual enrollment students interested in starting classes this fall, they can complete the dual enrollment application process at escc.edu/dualenrollment or contact the dual enrollment team at dualenrollment@escc.edu.

For graduating seniors and others interested in starting classes this fall, visit escc.edu/apply or contact AAC Recruiter Caitlin Cawley at ccawley@escc.edu.

Enterprise State Community College student Liberty Bull began serving as the Capital Division Lieutenant Governor for Circle K International in April.

According to the organization’s website, Circle K International is the college-focused branch of the Kiwanis International family, and it “is the world’s largest student-led collegiate service organization, with thousands of members on hundreds of campuses on five continents across the globe.”

Alabama is broken into four divisions: Valley Division, Champion Division, Gulf Division, and Capital Division. Member clubs in the Capital Division can be found at ESCC, Troy University, Huntingdon College and Auburn University.

Bull was elected to her new position during the Alabama Circle K District Convention, held in Prattville from March 3-5, where ESCC’s club also received the Sam F. Hobbs Most Improved Club Award. Bull has been involved with ESCC’s Circle K Club since 2021, where she served as fundraiser chair and secretary. She is currently serving as the club’s president for the 2022-23 academic year.

ESCC Circle K Sponsor Ashley Snellgrove called Bull “committed” and a “conscientious student.” She also said that Bull was quick to take on leadership roles as the club began rebuilding last year.

“Liberty was quick to volunteer her efforts in reinstating our campus Circle K club after learning of the organization’s tenets: leadership, service, and fellowship,” Snellgrove said. “She pledged to be more than just a member and took on the responsibilities of secretary and the fundraising chair. She enthusiastically stepped into the role as President this year.”

Snellgrove said Bull was “largely responsible” for membership growth in the club since last year.

“I have truly enjoyed getting to know Liberty,” Snellgrove said, calling Bull a quiet leader. “She really is so special.”

Even in her new role, Bull said she hopes to encourage students to participate in Circle K.

“I encourage students to participate in Circle K by reiterating our three tenets: leadership, fellowship, and service,” she said. “Students can gain leadership experience and make friends in their club and across the state while serving their community.”

She also has several goals she hopes to accomplish in her new role as lieutenant governor of the Capital Division of Circle K International.

“I hope to increase communication between the Key Club, Circle K, and Kiwanis organizations,” she said, stating that she also hopes to charter new clubs in the Capital Division. “Through ESCC’s Circle K club, I have made life-long friendships and gained a love for service. I can’t wait to spread awareness of Kiwanis organizations throughout my term.”

Amid new construction projects on campus, Enterprise State Community College has announced parking procedures designed to best help traffic flow for the College’s May 11 graduation ceremony.

On May 11, all students will be asked to park at 123 Plaza Drive, the old Tim Whitehead Dealership, beginning at 3:45 pm. ESCC buses will be available for pickup.

Students are asked to report to Boll Weevil Central (located in Snuggs Hall) once they arrive on campus. After checking in at BWC, students are welcome to have their photo taken by the College’s photographer at the William “Bo” Weevil statue at the front of the campus.

Friends, family and other spectators will be able to park in available spaces in Parking Lot C (behind the LBW Student Center) and Parking Lot D (behind Forrester Hall). To access these locations, please enter campus through the George Wallace Drive entrance. Visitors can enter Douglas Brown Circle off Plaza Drive and then turn onto George Wallace Drive.

Overflow parking will be available in the Crossroads Community Church (Old College Cinema) Parking Lot across the street from campus. Buses will be available for pickup from this location beginning at 4:40 p.m.

Campus police officers will be on scene at both off-site parking locations during the ceremony. All buses will also be available immediately after the ceremony to return visitors to their vehicles.

Handicap parking and parking for special guests will be in Parking Lot A (next to Talmadge Hall). Faculty and staff will park in the green above the track off George Wallace Drive.

Graduation services will begin at 6 p.m. under the oaks in front of Wallace Administration Building on May 11. The ceremony will also be streamed live on the Enterprise State Community College Facebook page.

On Friday, March 24, eight students, including one high school student, completed the first skid steer training course offered at ESCC.

“We’re proud to offer this training to our community,” ESCC Director of Workforce Development Leigh Shiver said, thanking Thompson Tractor Company, the City of Enterprise and Wiregrass Economic Development Corporation for their partnership in providing training space and equipment for the class. “This training has helped these students develop the skills they need to be successful in their current job or in finding a great job.”

This free training was developed through the Alabama Community College System’s Skills for Success program. Students completed online work before receiving hands-on training March 23-24.

Skills for Success is ACCS’s rapid workforce training program that launched in early 2022. It was developed in partnership with the state’s businesses and industries so the training is aligned with the skills employers say workers need to fill available jobs.

The appeal to trainees – other than getting the skills needed for an in-demand job – is that Skills for Success training is offered at no cost thanks to appropriations from the Legislature and can usually be completed in two to three weeks.

A reason Skills for Success training can be completed so quickly is part of it is offered online, with self-paced interactive learning that can take place anywhere a student can connect to the Internet. Upon completing the online portion of the course, students then complete hands-on training with qualified instructors and earn an ACCS credential that shows employers they are job ready.

Instructor Tim Williams said these trainings are extremely beneficial to participants, “either to do the career they’re already in or to start a new career.” He also said there was a demand for trained skid steer drivers, so much so that employers are asking to hire students before they finish the course.

“Every time we’ve had a class, they’ve been filled, and there are people that will actually see us when we go out somewhere and try to interview our students while we’re on break,” he said.

High school student Preston Powell took part in ESCC’s training, where he learned how to operate and maneuver skid steers safely, among other skills. He said he was “excited” to see the free training being offered.

“As soon as I saw it, I jumped on it and applied for it,” he said. “As soon as I got the email to do the online portion, I finished that in a couple of hours.

“I hope to use this after I graduate high school. If someone needs to run a skid steer or heavy equipment, I’ve got the certificate and the knowledge how to do it and do it safely.”

Student Charles Newman is interested in working in the construction industry. He said completing training like the Skid Steer class shows initiative to employers.

“This training will help me achieve a certificate,” he said. “That way, whenever I go to employers to actually apply for jobs in the construction industry, I’ll actually have the certification to back it up.

“I would highly encourage people to take part in any free class like this, especially if it’s going to get you a certificate and it’s a job field that you’re interested in.”

More than 2,700 Alabamians have registered for Skills for Success training for jobs in industries ranging from construction and fiber optics to trucking and food and beverage services. To find out more information and view a list of available training courses, visit innovation.accs.edu.

ESCC will hold a second skid steer training class April 6-7. If you are interested in joining the next class, visit escc.edu/skidsteer.

By Michelle Mann
Dothan Eagle

https://dothaneagle.com/community/escc-adult-ed-teams-with-johns-chapel-ame-to-host-ged/article_df1e846c-cd59-11ed-bfbd-777eb49c14ea.html

Members of Enterprise State Community College’s Fine Arts Department and the community will present “The Wiz” as this year’s spring musical.

Tickets sales are open for community members and ESCC students. Tickets can be purchased at auctria.events/THEWIZ or through the ESCC Business Office. General Admission tickets are $15, and student tickets are $5. Students must purchase their tickets through the Business Office and be able to show their Student ID.

Performances of “The Wiz” will be April 13-15 in the Student Center MPR. Each performance will begin at 7 p.m.

“The Wiz” follows Dorothy as she miraculously travels to Oz, where she learns about the Wiz and meets her team of friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. This play is a retelling of the classic L. Frank Baum story “The Wizard of Oz” through an African American perspective.