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Justin Blowers jblowers@southeastsun.com

Jan 30, 2019

http://www.southeastsun.com/home/article_7ae4922c-24af-11e9-83fd-ff8bd5c0788d.html

Enterprise State Community College has a new recruiting team that refer to themselves as the “Triple Threat.”

ESCC Recruiter Adonis Bozeman, Alabama Aviation College Recruiter and Career Coach Jenna Strickland and ESCC Career Coach Emily Harrelson make up the team who have recently spent most of their time on the road recently.

“The three of us work really well together,” said Strickland. “We’ve spent the past week and half on the road meeting our guidance counselors and introducing Adonis (Bozeman) and Emily (Harrelson). I think we’re a great team.”

Harrelson said she believes every team member brings something to the table that compliments the other members. For Harrelson she said it’s her experience in social work.

“My undergrad and master’s are both in social work so that includes patience such as working one-on-one with students with the career coach aspect,” Harrelson said. “With ninth through 12^th graders it’s able to get them college ready such as being able to see students succeed as individuals, which betters the community as a whole.”

Bozeman said his prior experience as a recruiter brings something new to the ESCC team.

“I feel like being that I came from a four-year institution with Auburn University Montgomery, I incorporate a lot of those ideas and new flavors and transition those to a two-year university,” Bozeman said. “It’s always exciting and fun to do that.”

Strickland says her love for the community and experience at the University of Alabama help her bring some unique strategies to the table.

“I have such a love for this community and this area,” Strickland said. “I did get to recruit as a student recruiter at the University of Alabama for the football team so I’m kind of using some of Coach Saban’s tactics to recruit new students.”

She said the team’s own college experiences will also help with their goal.

“All of us were in college pretty recently, I mean we’re all still pretty young,” Strickland said. “I think having a fresh experience and being able to say, ‘Hey, I did this but let me tell you how it can be easier for you,’ brings something to the table for these students.”

The team said that their goal is not only to help ESCC grow, but also help the community grow.

“We’re a community college so we just want to better the community as a whole, not just Enterprise itself but all the surrounding areas,” Harrelson said.

One of the ways they do this is by targeting non-traditional students, according to Harrelson.

Strickland said not many people know that students 60 and over receive free tuition, and only have to pay for books and fees.

“If someone is sitting at home and they need something to do, come take a computer or a drawing class,” Strickland said. “I had an older gentleman ask me, ‘Hey, I really want to learn how to use Powerpoint, can the college teach me that?’ Absolutely. If you’re sitting at home and thinking, ‘I just want to learn how to use my computer,’ we can help you with that.”

She said that the college is focused on the needs of the community.

“We’re starting to really see what our community needs and serve that to our community,” Strickland said. “If people have an idea, let us hear it. We want to hear what you think we need because we’re a community college and a community college serves the community.”

Michelle Mann Sun Staff Writer

Jan 23, 2019

http://www.southeastsun.com/opinion/michelle_mann/article_62c932be-1f29-11e9-b04d-e7457fb8f51d.html

One of the great things about being in media is the opportunity to learn so much about so many great things in our community.

Journalists are charged with reporting events as they happen—just the facts. (A charge, admittedly, that some journalists take more seriously than others but that is another story for another day.)

There are some events, however, that I have the opportunity to cover that warrant more than “just the facts” and the new “Coffee with a Veteran” event is one of them.

Attending the first early morning “Coffee with a Veteran” at Enterprise State Community College, I was impressed.

Attending the second such event, I was even more impressed.

“We are privileged to serve those who have served,” is the way that ESCC President Matt Rodgers welcomed the veterans, family members and veteran service providers to each of the two events so far.

The plan is to hold the free veteran-focused event on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. The next one will be held at the ESCC Aviation College Campus in Ozark.

We are blessed that there are many veterans support organizations in our area and ESCC is an active member of that list.

A new student organization comprised of military veteran students and a Veterans Resource Center are among the veteran-focused ESCC programs designed to facilitate camaraderie with fellow veterans facing the same challenges.

Many veterans—regardless of their years of service—never have had a job other than the military or they never had to apply for a job. Many are aware that they have earned educational benefits but are not sure how to actually obtain those benefits.

For those combat-tested veterans who served their country—and for those of us who love them—it is no secret that finding a job in the civilian world can be frustrating. There is sometimes a perception barrier between “boots on the ground” military experience and what civilian employers say they are seeking.

With thousands of combat-tested veterans returning stateside to unemployment or underemployment, ESCC is making a difference in our corner of South Alabama putting their money where their mouth is by providing resources to assist veterans with finding educational opportunities so they can be competitive in the job market.

Kudos to the men and women at ESCC who are going the extra mile to make the words “serving those who serve” more than a motto.

By Josh Boutwell sports@southeastsun.com

http://www.southeastsun.com/sports/article_05811770-1f24-11e9-8f01-f32dfbbe8360.html

Jan 23, 2019

Last week Encore Sports Medicine hosted the inaugural Junior College Area Media Day featuring coaches and players from the baseball/softball programs at Enterprise State Community College, Wallace Community College and Lurleen B. Wallace Community College.

Joining ESCC baseball coach Bubba Frichter was sophomore Grant Akridge, while sophomore Emily Cronk joined softball coach Traci Harrison.

Both Harrison and Frichter are entering their third seasons at the helm at ESCC and both share the same goals for the season.

“We wouldn’t be doing this job if we didn’t all want to achieve the ultimate goal, which is winning a national championship,” Frichter said. “All of us want to be playing in Grand Junction next year, so that goes without saying. If that’s not my ultimate goal I need to find another job.”

Harrison concurred with Frichter’s assessment.

“Our goal is to get to Utah and make it to the national championship,” Harrison said. “That’s everyone’s goal in JUCO softball. Every day we talk about making the top four in our conference, so we can make it back to Alabaster for the state tournament and then hopefully be in the top two to make it to Utah.”

Frichter returns eight sophomores from last season’s team with two additional sophomore transfers along with 19 incoming freshmen.

Sophomores include Enterprise natives Cole Smith and Parker Warren along with former all-state New Brockton pitcher Noah McDaniel and Elba’s Grant Akridge.

Another familiar face is transfer Clay Kelly, who was an all-state football player and baseball player at New Brockton before starting his college baseball career at Gulf Coast State College in Florida last season.

“I know chemistry is something that gets beat to death (in sports) but I think our chemistry has been great so far,” Frichter said. “The returning sophomore’s leadership has been phenomenal. It’s always interesting to watch kids develop from freshman to sophomore year.

“Most of these kids are used to playing 20 games in high school and then they get here and get to that point in the season with 25 more games to go, and the sophomores have to take over and lead.”

Akridge – a former all-state football player and baseball player at Elba High School – will be expected to be one of those leaders this season.

“The freshmen came in and we didn’t know anyone but we all clicked right away,” Akridge said. “The chemistry has been great and everyone is looking forward to the season and seeing what we can do.”

Akridge was ESCC’s leading batter last season with seven homeruns, 35 RBI, a .333 batting average and.576 slugging average.

The Boll Weevils return a solid pitching staff, which includes McDaniel and Ozark native Wells Deloney.

In his freshman season, Deloney struck out 63 batters with a 3.77 ERA in 59 2/3 innings pitched.

The Lady Boll Weevils, on the other hand, will be returning just a handful of players from last season’s team.

“We’re going into our third season here and we accomplished a lot of our goals last season, but we brought in almost a whole new team this year,” Harrison said. “We’re super excited about this team and on the first day of practice we laid it all out to the freshmen that they are what will make our program. We talk about it all the time. This group of freshmen will make our program in the long run.”

The Lady Boll Weevils return just six sophomores from last season’s team with 13 incoming freshmen and a sophomore transfer.

“We’re very confident in this team,” Harrison said. “We come to practice every day and they know my expectations and everyone is on board.”

Sophomore Emily Cronk – a former Enterprise High softball star – will be called on this season to help lead the younger players.

“This is my last season here at ESCC and I want to help get the best out of our girls,” Cronk said. “I want to be able to pull it out of all of them, so we can be the best that we can possible be. It’s our jobs to come out and bust our tails and get to where we need to go.”

The Boll Weevils begin the season on Feb. 8 against Andrews College from Ozark’s Eagle Stadium, while the Lady Boll Weevils will play in the NJCAA Lead Off Classic in Clearwater, Fla. on Jan. 25.

By Michelle Mann mmann@southeastsun.com

Jan 23, 2019

“You have served our country and now it is time for us to serve you.”

With those words Enterprise State Community College President Matt Rodgers welcomed those attending the second Coffee with a Veteran breakfast meeting held Jan. 15 on the college campus in Enterprise

“We have so many programs for our veterans and their families and it’s our job to communicate what those programs are,” Rodgers said as he explained the purpose of the veteran-focused information event held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m.

Retired Army Col. Chaplain Sonny Moore was keynote speaker at the event and he had high praise for Rodgers. “He hit the ground running,” Moore told those attending the veteran-focused event. “Matt, you’ve done so well and I’m so proud of you. You really have taken this school to another level.”

Reaching “another level” was also the theme of Moore’s address to the military veterans. “Y’all understand the meaning of ‘Chain of Command,’” he said. “And that starts with our Maker and Redeemer, the one who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundation of the earth.

“I owe Him everything,” Moore said. “He created me for a purpose—to make a difference. That’s a daily prayer, I pray. ‘God help me to make a difference.’”

Moore said that when he began his military career that ultimately spanned more than three decades he had only one goal. “I wanted to be the best chaplain in the Army. I wanted to love the soldiers and their families and take care of them. That was the only goal I had

“To be the best I could be and to make a difference,” was his focus Moore said, outlining four “stake poles” in his life.

“The first is ‘Be Yourself,’” Moore said. “You are unique, you are special. God has a plan for you to make a difference like no body else.”

The second “stake pole,” Moore said is to remain positive. “A positive attitude will go a long way. A smile goes a long way.”

The third is to be mindful of others, Moore said. “Somebody around you needs love and encouragement,” he said. “We’ve got to love one another and encourage one another. People are going through some tough stuff. We need the encouragement of each other.”

The fourth “stake pole” Moore said is goals. “Be going somewhere. Have some goals financially and educationally,” he explained. “You never get too old to stop learning.

“Have some goals spiritually,” Moore advised. “Some things you don’t get a redo on.

“You can’t take a word back, you can’t get back wasted opportunities, you can’t get time back,” Moore stressed. “So I pray that you have made that big choice that we follow Him who said, ‘I am the way the truth and the life.’”

“We are privileged to serve those who have served us,” is how Rodgers described his thoughts to those attending the event held in the campus multipurpose room in the student center. “And I can’t think of a better place to do it than right here at the doorstep of Fort Rucker.”

ESCC Veterans’ Affairs and Student Financial Aide Coordinator Stephen Adcock agreed. “We are really excited about some of the things that we have on our plate for veterans for next year,” he said, citing a new student organization comprised of military veteran students and a Veterans Resource Center set to open in the Spring. “It will provide a place, an opportunity for our veteran students to connect with each other,” he said. “It is for like-minded individuals who are facing some of the same issues, some of the same challenges.”

“We are here for you. you are special to us,” Rodgers told the veterans. “You have a home here. You are important to us.”

Justin Blowers jblowers@southeastsun.com

Jan 16, 2019

By Michelle Mann mmann@southeastsun.com

Jan 2, 2019

For Isaac Yaronczyk the decision to start classes at Enterprise State Community College was a no-brainer. “Most definitely,” the third-generation military veteran said.

Yaronczyk was among those attending the inaugural “Coffee with a Veteran” hosted by Enterprise State Community College Dec. 19.

“We have so many programs for our veterans and their families and it’s our job to communicate what those programs are,” said Enterprise State Community College President Matt Rodgers as he explained the purpose of the veteran-focused information event planned to be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m.

“We are privileged to serve those who have served us,” is how Rodgers described his thoughts to those attending the event held in the campus multipurpose room in the student center. “And I can’t think of a better place to do it than right here at the doorstep of Fort Rucker.”

ESCC Veterans’ Affairs and Student Financial Aide Coordinator Stephen Adcock agreed. “We are really excited about some of the things that we have on our plate for veterans for next year,” he said.

Adcock said a new student organization comprised of military veteran students will meet in January and a Veterans Resource Center is set to open in the Spring of 2019. “It will provide a place, an opportunity for our veteran students to connect with each other,” he said. “It is for like-minded individuals who are facing some of the same issues, some of the same challenges.”

ESCC has been named a military friendly institution for the past five years, Adcock said, adding that 21 percent of the student body is military or military family-member related.

In 2017, the college served nearly 300 veterans and family members, he added. “In short we hold ourselves to a high standard when it comes to serving you and your families.”

“Most definitely veteran friendly,” is how Yaronczyk called his experience attending ESCC. The Enterprise High School Class of 2009 graduate served in the military for five years and decided to return to college after returning to civilian life. “Every single teacher I’ve been in contact with has been very helpful so it has helped getting me being back in the routine of going to school,” Yaronczyk said. “Enterprise State has been wonderful for me as a veteran.

“It’s an absolutely wonderful institution for veterans in the area,” the business administration major added. “I’m going to transfer to Troy University and I feel confident that by the time I get to Troy I will be very prepared for the process of furthering my education.”

“We are ramping up our efforts to help veterans and their family members. You are our heroes,” Rodgers told the veterans attending the inaugural event. “Our military veterans and their families are certainly to be celebrated every day and we certainly want to do that at Enterprise State.”

What started as an idea came to complete fruition on Thursday, December 13, as 3 students from the Alabama Aviation College in Ozark received their certificates of completion in Enterprise State’s Commercial Driver’s License program. The 3 students that completed the program are Ryan Warren, Eric Smith, and Kenneth Britt.

ESCC introduced a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program in October 2018. The CDL program is a six-week course that includes several weeks in the classroom to learn rules and regulations and the last two weeks behind the wheel.

ESCC President Matt Rodgers said we partnered with most of the trucking industries around our area and moved swiftly to provide quality training to strengthen the workforce.

“There was a need in our area to provide trained drivers for the transportation industry and I couldn’t be prouder for these 3 students,” Rodgers said.

The two instructors for the CDL course are Odie Thompson and Kemmie Williams. They are two veterans of the road and excited to see the first 3 students complete their training.

“As you’ve heard everywhere, there’s going to be a driver shortage,” ESCC trucking instructor Odie Thompson said.

“There’s not going to be; there’s already a driver shortage. There are jobs available every day for drivers. Once completing this course and getting their license, it just opens up a world of opportunity for these students.”

Obtaining the Class A CDL that ESCC trains you for gives you the ability to operate an 18-wheeler such as a tractor-trailer, tank vehicle, livestock carrier, flatbed, and any other combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds.

The next six-week course starts Monday, January 7 and the program is already taking applications.

The road to a new life and better income could be waiting for you to drive at Enterprise State Community College. If you need any help applying, we are here for you! We have a team on our Ozark Alabama Aviation College campus that can assist you. Give us a call at 334-347-2623, extension 3610 if we can help you, email us questions at ldubose@escc.edu, or visit escc.edu/cdl.

Cutline: First class to finish ESCC’s Commercial Driver’s License Program. Left to right: Ryan Warren, Eric Smith, and Kenneth Britt

Dr. Terri Dunn, Director of Adult Education at Enterprise State Community College (ESCC), recently received the Alabama Adult Education Directors’ Association “Hall of Fame Award” at the Alabama Community College Association (ACCA) Conference in Mobile, AL. The Hall of Fame award honors individuals who have made distinguished contributions to adult education in Alabama and preserves the significant legacies of those honored on a permanent exhibit.

“It is always nice to be recognized for your work and leadership, but it really means a lot when the recognition comes from other adult education practitioners in the state who equally deserve the honor,“ said Dunn.

“But honestly, my staff and instructors are the real Hall of Famers. It’s what they do each day to carry out the mission and vision of the ESCC Adult Education Program that makes our program a success. I really do have a great team and have been fortunate to work with administrators at the College who believe in what we do and who fully support our program.”

Dr. Dunn was also inducted as the incoming President of the Alabama Adult Education Director’s Association at the ACCA Conference. Her term will expire in November 2019.

An admission and recruiting professional with years of experience recruiting hundreds of students to prestigious universities in the state will lead recruiting efforts at Enterprise State Community College next year.
Adonis Bozeman will take reins as a recruiter at ESCC in January. Bozeman comes to Enterprise State from Auburn University Montgomery as a senior admissions counselor and recruiter. Prior to then, he served as an ambassador and orientation leader at the University of West Alabama. His experience recruiting students through multiple efforts will be essential to ESCC’s mission for students to “see what’s possible” in the more than 20 career-ready programs and 20 clubs and organizations at the college.

ESCC President Matt Rodgers expressed his excitement to have Bozeman as part of the ESCC recruiting team.

“We are thrilled that Adonis Bozeman will be joining our team here at ESCC,” President Rodgers stated.

“Adonis has a great reputation in the recruiting circles. He is considered one of the top recruiters in the state. He was responsible for 97 schools and did a wonderful job recruiting for Auburn University in Montgomery. Adonis is already well established in this region and connects very well with students. Most importantly, he is an outstanding man and a class act. He will hit the ground running on January 2nd.”

ESCC Dean of Students, Olivier Charles, is excited to have Bozeman on our team.

“We wanted to find a recruiter that understands our student population, is knowledgeable about current trends in student recruitment, and understands the support needs of our educators, counselors, and school administrators. Because of Adonis’s experience in student recruitment, he fits all of those needs and he will have an immediate impact on our efforts,” Charles stated.

Bozeman obtained a master’s degree in Higher Education and a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of West of Alabama. His experience includes advising and managing a pool of an estimated 1,300 prospective freshmen, international and transfer students. While at AUM, Bozeman increased enrollment by more than 50 percent in a year’s time.
“I decided to join Enterprise State Community College because of the opportunity and growth,” Bozeman said.

“Working as a senior admissions counselor and recruiter has given me the tools needed to successfully connect with a broad range of individuals who want to improve their lives through education. Enterprise State is an institution with many opportunities. I feel that every student has an opportunity to become successful in whatever they chose to do for an affordable price. Enterprise State is a “hands-on” institution that ensures each student is counted as a student and not a number. The campus environment is welcoming to anybody. The growth of ESCC shows that the opportunities here are limitless. Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together. I am excited to be a part of the ESCC growth. My goal is to ensure that every student (traditional & non-traditional) will have that same opportunity to join the Boll Weevil Family.”

Bozeman is a native of Aliceville, AL.