2016-2017 President's Report

AUTOMATION AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGY – ECCC began plans during the year to offer the new Automation and Control Technology program in fall 2017. Automation and Control Technology provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for gaining employment as an automated manufacturing systems technician in maintenance diagnostics, engineering, or production in an automated manufacturing environment. Those who successfully complete the 60-credit hour, two-year program of study will be awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree.

UPWARD ECONOMIC MOBILITY – A national study published in The New York Times indicated that East Central Community College ranks No. 40 out of 690 community colleges in the nation included in the study, and No. 3 in Mississippi, in overall economic mobility of graduates over their lifetime, despite being among the lowest two-year colleges in the nation in family income of incoming students.

MILITARY FRIENDLY SCHOOL – ECCC was designated as a Military Friendly School by Victory Media for the fifth consecutive year. ECCC is one of only five community colleges in Mississippi to earn the Military Friendly designation for 2017. First published in 2009, Military Friendly Schools is a comprehensive resource provided to service members and their families to help them select the best college, university or trade school to receive the education and training needed to pursue a civilian career.

FOUR-DAY CLASS SCHEDULE – The ECCC Board of Trustees approved the implementation of a four-day class schedule in the 2017-18 academic year. A pilot of the four-day class schedule was conducted in spring 2016 and Fall 2017 and the feedback from students, faculty and staff was overwhelmingly positive. Under the schedule, the college holds classes Monday through Thursday, with Friday being devoted to learning and studying opportunities for students and professional development and advising opportunities for faculty.

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