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First ‘Coffee with Vet’ a success

First ‘Coffee with Vet’ a success

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.”

ESCC hosts first ‘Coffee with Veterans’

ESCC hosts first ‘Coffee with Veterans’

Leah Lancaster 

https://www.dothaneagle.com/enterprise_ledger/news/escc-hosts-first-coffee-with-veterans/article_a4e977c2-0952-11e9-b0c4-9307d43666b7.html

Enterprise State Community College’s Multipurpose Room was host to veterans, family members, and ESCC faculty and staff for the school’s first-ever “Coffee with Veterans” event Wednesday morning.

According to ESCC President Matt Rodgers, the event was organized as part of a public outreach effort to better serve veterans and their families in the Wiregrass community.

“A lot of the time we get caught up in certain days of celebration, but to me, our veterans and their families are to be celebrated every day, and we certainly want to do that here at Enterprise State Community College,” Rodgers said in his opening comments for the event. “Today is the first day of its kind, and we want to make this a monthly program to reach out as part of our community outreach programs to the veterans and the people in our community. There are so many programs and benefits that are available for our veterans and their families, and it’s our job to communicate what those are. We have a great program here; we’re growing the program, and I can’t think of a better place to do it than right here at the doorstep of Fort Rucker.”

Veterans Affairs/Student Financial Aid Coordinator Stephen Adcock took the podium after Rodgers and detailed the various programs available to veterans and dependents, including the Chapter 33 Post 9/11 program, the Chapter 1606 GI Bill for the selected reserves, the Chapter 35 Dependents Education Assistance Program, and the Alabama GI Dependents Scholarship program. Adcock also discussed ESCC’s status as a military friendly institution.

“It is our privilege and our honor to be able to serve (veterans), and serve them at a high level, and to hold ourselves to a high standard. Because of that standard, we’ve been able to be declared a military friendly institution for the past five years, and that’s an honor — that’s something we like to hang our hat on,” Adcock said. “We also have agreed to the VA Principles of Excellence program, and those things mean that the standard we abide by to earn that designation creates better opportunities and outcomes for veterans. By setting that standard and promoting that standard and following that standard, it provides positive reinforcement for American organizations, and that’s good for veterans, the college, and America as well. By abiding by the VA Principles of Excellence standard, it means that we provide educational plans for all military and veteran education beneficiaries, we provide accommodations for service members and reservists who are absent due to their service requirements, and we ensure that you always have access to appropriate advising services. We hold ourselves to a high standard when it comes to serving you and serving your families.”

Adcock closed his presentation by talking about what’s next for veterans at ESCC.

“The Enterprise State Weevil Warriors is a new student organization to debut in spring, and we’ll have the first meeting in January,” Adcock said. “It’s a place for veteran students to connect with each other. In the spring, we’ll also have the Veterans Resource Center, which will be located in the Student Center in Weevil Commons, and it’ll be a place for students to gather and fellowship.”

For more information on veterans programs, contact ESCC at 334-347-2623.

First batch of ESCC students graduate CDL program

First batch of ESCC students graduate CDL program

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

ESCC Adult Education Director Receives Statewide Recognition

ESCC Adult Education Director Receives Statewide Recognition

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.

Enterprise State employs recruiter

Enterprise State employs recruiter

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.

EHS partners with ESCC for FAFSA night

EHS partners with ESCC for FAFSA night

Justin Blowers jblowers@southeastsun.com

Dec 12, 2018

http://www.southeastsun.com/home/article_b0122c46-fe1e-11e8-8a07-834a181450d7.html

Enterprise State Community College held a FAFSA night at Enterprise High School on Nov. 15. It served as an opportunity for students and their parents to get face-to-face help with filling out the FAFSA application.

This free application is required for any student to receive federal student aid and many colleges required a FAFSA to be filled out prior to applying for scholarships, according to ESCC’s Director of Financial Aid Chip Quisenberry. “We just want to come out to all of our area high schools and just help all these high school seniors get their FAFSA completed,” Quisenberry said.

Partnership provides opportunities for students

Partnership provides opportunities for students

By Michelle Mann mmann@southeastsun.com
Dec 6, 2018

http://www.southeastsun.com/home/article_280543e8-f99a-11e8-8237-8b5b4674e9a0.html

Nakira Bush is on track to be the first Enterprise High School student to graduate with a college associate’s degree at the same time she receives her high school diploma.

“I currently have 19 (college course) hours this semester plus high school (classes) then I have 20 (college course hours) next semester and I’ll be done and graduate,” the Enterprise High School senior told those attending the Enterprise Board of Education meeting held Nov. 27 at the newly renovated Enterprise State Community College Multi-Purpose Room.

It is the dual enrollment program with Enterprise State Community College that has helped make Bush’s accomplishment possible. Dual enrollment is a program that allows eligible high school students to enroll in college courses for college credit concurrently with high school classes prior to high school graduation.

“The potential, in my opinion, is limitless in regard to what we can do for your students, our students,” ESCC Dean of Instruction Danny Long told those attending the EBOE meeting. “Over the last three years, we have had about 50-55 students that actually finished high school with their associate’s degree.”

Colleges in the Alabama Community College System are authorized to establish dual enrollment/dual credit agreements with local boards of education in the colleges’ service area. Students successfully completing college classes as a dual enrollment student receive both high school and college credit.

Courses offered to dual enrollment students by postsecondary institutions are of collegiate quality and rigor, Long said. “We’re required to meet the same qualifications and credentials as any four-year university in the Southeast.”

The quality of education offered at ESCC is the same as any four-year college but there is a difference, Long said. “But in my opinion there is a difference.

“Because if you are teaching at a community college, you are not only passionate about your course content, you are also passionate about your students,” Long said. “You’re going to be in a classroom with, chances are, no more than 25 students. You are going to know those students’ names.

“The quality of education is equal but there’s a little different feel in a community college because just like in high school, we’ve got a vetted interest in seeing students be successful to not only pass the classes but to move on and pursue their dreams,” Long said.

Long said that ESCC has had about 55 students in the college’s service area who have earned an associate’s degree by the time they receive their high school diploma via the dual enrollment program.

“This fall we had about 419 students who were enrolled in dual enrollment throughout our service area,” he said. “Students participating in dual enrollment are more likely to be successful when they go to college, more likely to raise their ACT score.”

Not only does dual enrollment save a student time, it saves money as well, Long said. “Three semesters and the cost of living at a four-year university will cost you about $31,314 a year. It costs ESCC students about $4,800 for the same number of courses. That is a pretty substantial savings to that student and family and we’re proud of that.

“You can’t talk about the community college without talking about cost savings,” Long said. “If a student is having to take out student loans with interest that $31,314 (at a four-year university) turns into $35,323.”

“Probably one of the best decisions that I’ve made in my life,” is how Enterprise High School junior Zeta Metz called her participation in the dual enrollment program with ESCC. “This program has actually opened my eyes and let me experience a lot of things that I haven’t experienced.

“I’m in five different clubs and two of them are actually here at the college,” Metz said, adding that her mother also attends ESCC. “I love this course, I love this school, this is probably one of the best things that I’ve ever done and I can’t wait to graduate.”

Bush agreed. She began the dual enrollment program in the summer between her sophomore and junior years. “This (dual enrollment program) has really helped me,” she said. “I feel like I’m going to be really prepared for college and I’ll be ready for the workforce, too, even if I decide not to go to college.”

EBOE member Dr. Danny Whitaker said that his daughter benefited from her participating the dual enrollment program. “What you guys are learning will prepare you for your college courses,” he told Metz and Bush. “My daughter will agree with you on that.”

“I’d like to echo everything that’s been said,” EBOE President Bob Doerer said. “My daughter got a little taste of college right here with dual enrollment and I think that truly helped her when she went to Auburn.”

“We’re a family,” said ESCC President Matt Rodgers who was formerly the EHS principal. “We’re excited about the partnership that we’ve had and we’re really excited about moving forward. We love what we’re doing here.”

Long agreed. “The potential for what we can do is limitless. I’m going to call them your students,” he told the EBOE members. “But really they are our students because you are the city school system and we are the community college.”

The next meeting of the EBOE is Tuesday, Dec. 18, at the ECS Central Office on Hutchinson Street at noon. The meeting is open to the public.

‘This is essentially the first domino’

‘This is essentially the first domino’

Justin Blowers jblowers@southeastsun.com
Dec 5, 2018
http://www.southeastsun.com/home/article_a6a5cbf2-f899-11e8-b147-c3d429712044.html

Enterprise State Community College’s renovations to Talmadge Hall are nearly complete after about a year of hard work.

ESCC President Matt Rodgers toured the virtually complete building with Alabama State Sen. Jimmy Holley, Alabama Community College System Chancellor Jimmy Baker, ACCS Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development Jeff Lynn and Alabama Technology Network Executive Director Keith Phillips on Nov. 26.

ESCC Dean of Student Services Olivier Charles said although the building looks new, one of the biggest changes can only be felt.

“The building is completely refabricated with new HVAC,” Charles said. “Instructors can control it individually from their classrooms and we can also centrally control from a point on campus. We didn’t have that capability before.”

Some of the other renovations include brand new flooring, LED lighting, new paint on the walls of the classroom including an accent wall, state-of-the-art projectors and screens as well as smart podiums.

“Our instructors don’t have to bring their laptop and plug into the system or VGA to teach,” Charles said. “All they have to do is bring their flash drive and they can plug in and they can teach.”

The Connor Gallery in Talmadge was also completely refabricated and Charles said the school plans to create “student study spaces” throughout the building.

“You’ll see a lot of our kids sit in hallways or sit in lobbies of buildings and we’re going to put the type of furniture that will make them want to sit and study,” Charles said, “so really inviting and intuitive furniture.”

He said all that’s really left is to add the furniture, some water fountains and signage to the building.

“Our big goal was to just make this state-of-the-art to give our instructors a first-class teaching facility but to give our students a first-class learning environment as well and I think we accomplished that,” Charles said.

The school is planning to give the instructors who have been displaced during the entire renovation time a bit of a Christmas present.

“Before we leave for Christmas, we want to have them (the instructors) back in here, that’s our goal,” Charles said.

Talmadge holds the English, communications, history and social sciences classes that the school provides. Charles said it is the smallest building by square footage, but one of the highest traffic buildings on campus.

Rodgers said he’s excited for the hall to to be completed.

“The renovations and upgrades to Talmadge Hall and other campus areas affirm that there is nothing more important to us than what takes place in our classrooms,” Rodgers said. “I am proud of the excellent level of instruction here at ESCC and look forward to our current and future students being taught in new and improved classrooms. I appreciate the patience and understanding our faculty, staff, students and community partners have given us over the last few months, as renovations are ongoing. We will continue to make a modern learning environment.  We look forward to sharing our progress as we continue to update and renovate both campuses.”

The building will be completed and ready for students coming to ESCC during the spring 2019 semester.

Charles said that this is just the beginning for ESCC renovations. He said the school is currently waiting on designs to be sent back from an architect so the school can start renovating the Sessions and Forrester buildings.

The plan is to then create a new quad for the campus and then focus on renovating the Snuggs building and the student center.

At the Alabama Aviation College Ozark Campus, Charles said the Higham Building will be receiving a new roof and a complete refabricating of the inside of the building.

The Brown Building will also receive a new roof while the Barnett Building will likely get refabricated.

“It’s a lot of projects,” Charles said. “So this (Talmadge Hall) is essentially the first domino in some other projects that we’re kicking off.”

ESCC hosts Coppinville eighth graders

ESCC hosts Coppinville eighth graders

Justin Blowers jblowers@southeastsun.com

Dec 5, 2018

http://www.southeastsun.com/home/article_b1707782-f8c4-11e8-9313-7b41fa9c0243.html

Enterprise State Community College hosted the eighth grade boys from Coppinville Junior High School on Nov. 13. The day started off with a complimentary Chick-Fil-A lunch before the ESCC Entertainers put on a performance for the group and the ambassadors took the students on a tour of the college. “I’m really really excited that they’re getting a chance to come here to Enterprise State Community College as well because they have so many different certification programs,” said Coppinville Career Tech Teacher Roberta Bronson.

 

ESCC to host Geneva County-ESCC Campus Invitational

ESCC to host Geneva County-ESCC Campus Invitational

By Josh Boutwell sports@southeastsun.com

Dec 5, 2018

http://www.southeastsun.com/sports/article_882e959c-f8b6-11e8-9746-87abe90b7a1e.html

Enterprise State Community College will play host to the inaugural Geneva County-ESCC Campus Invitational Girls Basketball Tournament on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8.

The tournament will feature seven teams from around the area and according to ESCC, is an effort to give girls basketball players more exposure and a hope to being a partnership between area schools and ESCC.

“It makes me happy to see us come together, especially during the Christmas time of year, and we hope to have a great turnout on Friday and Saturday and that it is a memorable event for all of the teams,” ESCC President Matt Rodgers said.

New Brockton, Geneva County, G.W. Long, Florala, Andalusia, Carroll and Pike County will play in the inaugural tournament.

Play begins on Friday, Dec. 7, and continues on Dec. 8 with each team playing two games in the tournament.

Geneva County coach and Tournament Director Karie Striplin said that she hopes this tournament becomes an annual event at ESCC.

“The second week of December is an open weekend for tournaments and we think it’s a perfect date to do it every year,” Striplin said. “I’m excited for the girls to get more exposure like the boys do in other tournaments.”

New Brockton coach Gloria Hylton echoed Striplin’s sentiments in terms of getting more exposure for female athletes.

“I’m very excited about this tournament,” Hylton said. “I felt like this would be a great experience for our girls for them to get that added exposure of this tournament.

“It’s great because they don’t get as much exposure (as boys) a lot of times and it’s a great opportunity for them to be possibly seen by recruiters or scouts. It’s really just a great opportunity for everyone.”

On Dec. 7, Geneva County will face off against Florala at 5:30 p.m., while the rest of the games take place on Dec. 8.

Long will face Andalusia at 11:30 a.m., New Brockton will play Carroll at 1 p.m., Geneva County will play Andalusia at 2:30 p.m., Florala will play Pike County at 4 p.m., Long faces Carroll at 5:30 p.m. and New Brockton will play Pike County at 7 p.m.

ESCC is not charging tournament fees to any of the teams involved but admission will be $6 per day.

Enterprise State Community College

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Enterprise State Community College offers excellent academic, technical, and workforce training programs in order to prepare students for jobs that are in demand! Our faculty and staff are committed to the educational success of all ESCC students!

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