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ENTERPRISE – Enterprise State Community College celebrates Black History Month with a signature event which features a dialogue and listening session with Ms. Vernetta Deramus, a veteran educator whose service in the community spans before, during and after the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama.

“Segregation: A Firsthand Account of Enterprise, Alabama,” begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2018, inside ESCC’s Multipurpose Room in the Student Center. The event is hosted by the college’s Diversity and Lyceum committees.

Ms. Deramus brings years of knowledge on the climate in Enterprise during and after segregation. She has been recognized with the area’s Ray of Hope award for volunteering her time, efforts and other resources to improve the community.

Dr. Ken Thomas, Fine Arts Division Chair, stated the event offers an opportunity to discuss civilly the things that both unite and divide us “in order to form a more perfect union.”

The college celebrates Black History Month with a variety of events, including multiple student activities that center on historical movies and movements regarding civil rights. Black History Month is observed nationally each February.

For more information on ESCC events this month, contact Stephen Schmidt.

Enterprise State Community College is a comprehensive community college which serves more than 1,700 students annually between its Enterprise campus and the Alabama Aviation Colleges in Albertville, Andalusia, and Ozark. Each campus and site currently fulfill the Alabama Community College System’s mission for education and training which leads to high-wage, high-demand jobs in integral careers worldwide. Students can obtain Associate degrees and certificates through multiple programs at the college.

Photo Cutline: Ms. Vernetta Deramus

ENTERPRISE – ESCC’s Fifth Annual English Tournament is was held today, January 26, 2018. Students competed by taking exams in American and British literature, language, and vocabulary. Additionally, an essay competition was held. This year, tournament participants hail from Enterprise, Pike County, Goshen, New Brockton, Kinston, Headland, and Slocomb.

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2018 English Tournament Winners!

British Literature Competition:

1st—Libby Hvarven, Enterprise High School

2nd—Ariana Bell, Headland High School

3rd—Maycie Edmondson, Slocomb High School

Vocabulary Competition:

1st—Nicole Cortez, Enterprise High School

2nd—Eleanor Covington, Enterprise High School

3rd—Milan Phan, Kinston High School

Honorable Mention—Maycie Edmondson, Slocomb High School

Language Competition:

1st—Nicole Cortez, Enterprise High School

2nd—Eleanor Covington, Enterprise High School

3rd—Alison Best, Enterprise High School

Honorable Mention—Ryan Griffin, New Brockton High School

American Literature Competition:

1st—Eleanor Covington, Enterprise High School

2nd—Libby Hvarven, Enterprise High School

3rd—Shenari Wilson, Pike County High School

Essay Competition:

1st—Jaylen Crawley, Headland High School

Honorable Mention—Isaac Bruce, Enterprise High School

For additional information about the tournament, please contact Dr. Anna Head at ahead@escc.edu or 334-347-2623 ext. 2232.

Enterprise State Community College is a comprehensive community college which serves more than 1,700 students annually between its Enterprise campus and the Alabama Aviation Colleges in Albertville, Andalusia, and Ozark. Each campus and site currently fulfill the Alabama Community College System’s mission for education and training which leads to high-wage, high-demand jobs in integral careers worldwide. Students can obtain Associate degrees and certificates through multiple programs at the college.

ENTERPRISE – Enterprise State Community College has launched its annual Senior Visit season for Spring 2018, with several exciting events scheduled throughout the next couple months across the college and multiple high school campuses.

Nearly 500 seniors from 17 schools throughout the Wiregrass area are scheduled to visit ESCC in January and February for an ultimate student experience that includes tours, financial aid information, programs, social media challenges, entertainment, and lunch.

The visits provide high school students an opportunity to learn everything they need to know about choosing where to go to college, as well as a chance to learn an extensive amount of information about what is offered at ESCC.

“This is a great time for our students to connect with us here at Enterprise State Community College and the Alabama Aviation Center on our turf, so that one day this can possibly be their home for cutting-edge, quality, education,” Matt Rodgers, ESCC President, said.

Students register to attend senior visits with their high school guidance counselor. The first of many senior visits was Tuesday, January 23, when students from Daleville and Wicksburg high schools visited ESCC.

Upcoming dates are as follows:

January 18 – Ariton – GW Long (rescheduled for a later date)

January 23 – Daleville – Wicksburg

January 25 – New Brockton – Kinston – Zion Chapel

February 8 – Adult Ed students

February 12 – Elba – Goshen – Slocomb

February 13 – Geneva County – Samson – Geneva

February 14 – Charles Henderson – Pike County

In addition to the scheduled senior visits, multiple events in which ESCC will invite high school students on campus or actually visit the high schools with a team of ESCC/AAC faculty and staff are scheduled throughout February.

ESCC will be at Enterprise High School Monday and Tuesday, February 5 and 6. AAC representatives will host a senior visit at Carroll High School on Wednesday, Feb. 21. A program fair, in which ninth, tenth, and 11th graders can visit the college while seniors in the area take the WorkKeys exam, will take place on the Enterprise campus the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 21.

Parents will have the opportunity to attend a special “How to Become a Boll Weevil” session, where they, too, will learn the important steps their student will take to become a Boll Weevil, and participate in a parents-only campus tour.

All events scheduled at ESCC are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please register with your high school guidance counselor, or call (334) 347-2623 ext. 2235 for more information. You may also email admissions@escc.edu.

Enterprise State Community College is a comprehensive community college which serves more than 1,700 students annually between its Enterprise campus and the Alabama Aviation Colleges in Albertville, Andalusia, and Ozark. Each campus and site currently fulfill the Alabama Community College System’s mission for education and training which leads to high-wage, high-demand jobs in integral careers worldwide. Students can obtain Associate degrees and certificates through multiple programs at the college.

Cutline: Enterprise State Community College President, Matt Rodgers, with high school seniors from Daleville and Wicksburg who plan on attending ESCC in the fall.

OZARK – Governor Kay Ivey announced that Enterprise State Community College will receive $2.5 million dollars to expand the Alabama Aviation College in Ozark. The funds are part of the Alabama Capital Improvement Trust Fund which awards funds for projects that promote economic development and industrial recruitment in the state.

The Alabama Aviation College offers training and coursework in one of Alabama’s fastest growing career fields – aviation. Specifically, students are offered programs in aircraft maintenance and avionics technology. The grant funds announced today will be used to renovate campus infrastructure to expand the College’s Advanced Composite Training Program and prepare the campus for future program expansions.

“I am proud to award this $2.5 million grant to the Alabama Aviation College and provide funding for lab space for the new Advanced Composite Materials program,” Governor Ivey said. “While this grant is for the aviation program, the infrastructure updates it provides will also help to ensure the Ozark campus of Enterprise State Community College is ready to meet all the workforce needs of local business and industry.”

Enterprise State President Matt Rodgers said the improvements are a clear sign of monumental efforts the college is making to ensure its students are prepared for a multi-faceted aviation industry. The Alabama Aviation College has experienced consistent growth over the last several years, including increasing enrollment by nearly 100 students this semester.

“We appreciate Governor Ivey supporting our efforts to provide a first-class educational setting for the students in our service area. These improvements will allow us to enhance existing programs and work closely with local and state industry leaders to meet the demands of our ever-changing workforce,” Rogers said. “This is only the beginning. Great days are ahead for the college and the communities we serve.”

By making much needed renovations and repairs to existing buildings, the campus will be a resource for not only the students who attend classes, but the greater Ozark community as well.

Governor Ivey and President Rogers were joined at the press conference by several state and local officials including State Representative Steve Clouse (R-Ozark), Ozark Mayor Bob Bunting, and Alabama Community College System Chancellor Jimmy Baker.

“I’m proud that Governor Ivey recognizes the great work being done across Alabama’s community colleges to train our state’s workforce for high-demand, high-wage jobs,” Chancellor Baker said. “The improvements at the Ozark campus will have an immediate positive impact on the students we serve and will also take large strides towards ensuring the campus is meeting the needs of business and industry in the Ozark community.”

The first phase of the renovation project is slated to begin this summer and all work is expected to be completed in 2019.

Enterprise, AL – Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) is pleased to announce the development of its new Student Success and Counseling Center (SSCC). The center is designed to enhance student success, improve retention, and increase graduation rates. ESCC has redesigned and expanded its Counseling Services Department by establishing the new center which launched this fall. The SSCC provides programs and services that assist students with successfully completing their program of study. The center also guides students in meeting their transfer and career goals by providing academic advisement, major exploration, success workshops, transfer assistance, career planning and other integral services.

Since its establishment, the SSCC has already seen an increase in student interest and participation in the services the center offers. In addition to current offerings, the SSCC is in Phase 1 of developing a Career/Transfer Suite where students can go to complete career interest inventories, search for jobs, complete resumes, and search for information about the transfer college or university of their choice. Additionally, peer tutors are being secured to assist students with tutoring in core academic subjects.

Dr. Felisha Ford, Director of Counseling, states, “It is important to us at ESCC to ensure that our students are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills required to meet the demands of furthering their education at a four-year college or university. We also want to transition them successfully from college to a career. We feel strongly that the Student Success and Counseling Center is being designed to help students to do just that.”

Enterprise, AL – Enterprise State Community College is pleased to announce veteran educator, Mr. Danny Long, as the college’s new Dean of Instruction. As the Dean of Instruction, Mr. Long will oversee all of Enterprise State Community College’s instruction in Enterprise, Ozark, Mobile, Albertville, and Andalusia. Mr. Long will begin his new position on November 13, 2017.

“We are delighted that Mr. Danny Long is joining our ESCC team,” said President Matt Rodgers. “Mr. Long brings a wealth of knowledge in several key areas. He is experienced in working with instructors and students on several different pathways to success. He is highly respected in his district and has always been an extremely hard worker. I am confident he will bring that same passion and energy to this new position. We are excited to have him join us as we work together to move ESCC forward.”

Mr. Long is entering his twenty-second year as an educator. A Troy University alumnus, Mr. Long’s career started as a special education teacher in Ozark, Alabama, in 1996. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree, Mr. Long earned a Master’s in Education, Master’s certification in Educational Leadership, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. Not only has he served as a teacher and assistant principal; Mr. Long has held multiple district level administration positions, including special education coordinator and career technical education director. His most recent position was Director of Secondary Instruction for Enterprise City Schools. During his tenure with ECS, Mr. Long led the effort to start several new career technical programs in the Enterprise City Schools system. The programs include Health Science, Airframe and Powerplant, and Engineering programs. He also started the first alternative school as assistant principal at Enterprise High School.

Mr. Long enters his role at ESCC at a time when the college is introducing several new programs and services. The App Development with Swift program at ESCC will begin this Spring. The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), is an industry-led training, assessment and certification system. Lastly, IT Auditing and full EMS programs will be implemented soon. With Mr. Long’s background in creating viable workforce development partnerships through various career technical advisory committees, student opportunities and the academic environment across all ESCC campuses/sites will continue to flourish.

Mr. Long said he is honored to be a part of ESCC.

“Joining Enterprise State Community College is an exciting opportunity for my family and me,” said Mr. Long. “Enterprise State has a rich tradition of providing excellent instruction to its students and I look forward to building on that tradition in my new position. I firmly believe that education is the great equalizer in our society and serves as the key to diversity in career choices and economic stability. The potential to provide and expand the opportunities for the community that I love and call home is truly an honor.”

Mr. Long is married to Robin Long. They have two children, Levi and Grace.

Cutline: Enterprise State Community College Dean of Instruction, Danny Long.

https://www.schools.com/community-colleges/top-community-colleges-in-alabama?utm_content=buffer9c044&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

ESCC was ranked best community college in Alabama by Schools.com. At 12:30 pm today, we will hold a press conference. If you can make it today, that would be great. If not, then please contact Stephen Schmidt to set up an interview with President Matt Rodgers.

The Tau Mu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at ESCC will be selling knee high “Wacky Socks” of all different designs and colors to include stripes, polka dots, and Christmas. Each pair of socks is $5 and all proceeds will be donated to the Joni Ojard Project “Quilts of Comfort”. Socks will be on sale from October 2nd until October 19th on the Enterprise Campus of ESCC.

Quilts of Comfort is an organization set up and run by Joni Ojard who started the program after she went through an organ transplant. The purpose of Quilts of Comfort is to create lap quilts that are then donated to children all over the state of Alabama who are awaiting an organ donation. If you would like to purchase socks, make a donation, or get more information you can email ptk@escc.edu and the advisor or an officer will get in touch with you.

Cutline: Front Row (left to right): Deja Craig, Malvern, Madelyn Kelley, Cheyanna Huston-McCrea, and Haley Rose McInnis all of Enterprise.

Back Row (left to right):: Brannon Brown, Kyle Smith, Amanda Thomas, Debbie Devasure all of Enterprise

We are excited to announce that the Enterprise State Community College Foundation (ESCCF), along with Sam Boswell Honda, The Citizens Bank, The E. L. Gibson Foundation, Yancey Parker’s, The City of Enterprise, and L3-Army Fleet Support will be hosting a Masquerade Ball! All proceeds from this event will provide scholarship dollars for students attending Enterprise State Community College.

The Masquerade Ball will be held Thursday, October 26, 2017 at the Enterprise Civic Center. Please join us for heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks starting at 6:30p.m. There will be a silent and live auction that will include fine antiques and collectibles, along with other valuable items. Live entertainment from the band Chevy 6 promises that the night will be exciting and very entertaining. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at the Enterprise State Business Office located in the Wallace Administration building.

Our goal this year is $50,000! For us to reach this goal, we are asking that you consider becoming a sponsor of the event. Every dollar you commit will go toward a scholarship for a student from our community. Because of your support of ESCC and your commitment to education, we know that you will want to be a part of these exciting times. Together, we will make an impact on students and the entire community.

For information on becoming an event sponsor, please contact Chellye Stump at Enterprise State, (334) 347-2623, ext. 2279, or cstump@escc.edu. We welcome you to a fun evening as we “Invest in Our Future.”

Dr. Anna Head, Chair of the English and Communications Division at Enterprise State, was recently featured on Journey Proud, Alabama Public Television’s documentary series highlighting the people, customs, and traditions of Alabama. Dr. Head joined host Joey Brackner, Director of the Alabama Center for Traditional Culture, on a journey around the state exploring differences in language and dialect in different regions.

Dr. Head explained how she first became involved in the field of linguistics.

I believe that I was always interested in language and especially Southern speech, to the degree that I knew that as a native of Alabama that I spoke a salient dialect. However, linguistics was not my concentration as an undergraduate; instead, my focus was literature. It was not until fall semester of my senior year at Auburn University that I took an introductory linguistics course. During that semester and the next, I came to know my linguistics professor, Dr. Robin Sabino, quite well. This occurred for two reasons, the first being a good-natured debate over the Southern pronunciation of two words: feel and fill. While I insisted that I pronounced the words differently, she assured me that I did not. Nonetheless, she was willing to humor me, so she created a list in which the two words were repeated a number of times at random and recorded me reading the list. Needless to say, Dr. Sabino was correct, as we heard no difference in my pronunciation of the words when we listened to the tape. This experience was not only my first lesson in the inherent flaws in human intuition regarding language, but also it permanently piqued my interest in the field of linguistics. Soon after, I signed up for Dr. Sabino’s linguistic fieldwork class, which was conducted on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas over spring break of the next semester. It was on this trip that I caught the “bug” for interviewing people, and it was also on this trip that Dr. Sabino and I first discussed the possibility of me focusing on linguistics and specifically, Southern speech, for my graduate work.

Dr. Head also said that she enjoyed filming and learning more about linguistic characteristics in the northern regions. The two dialect segments of Journey Proud, one focusing on the south and one of the north, may be viewed online at journeyproudalabama.com.

Cutline: Dr. Anna Head, Chair of the English and Communications Division at Enterprise State, and Joey Brackner, Director of the Alabama Center for Traditional Culture, speaking with Sandra Brown, owner of Brown’s Pottery in Marion County, AL.