2019-2020 President's Report

2019-20 Board of Trustees

Bobby Boone Leake

W.B. Jones Leake

William Kitchings Leake

Jamie Shepard Leake

Janie Wilbanks Leake

Yvette Young Supt. of Education

David Byars Neshoba

Edsel Cliburn Neshoba

Prentice Copeland Neshoba

Ricky Goldman Neshoba

Jerry Smith Neshoba (Vice Chairman)

Dr. Lundy Brantley Supt. of Education

J.O. Amis Supt. of Education

Henry Booth Newton

Pat Cleveland Newton

Beverly Hart Newton

Dr. Danny Lanier Newton

Joel Nelson Newton

Tommy Harrison Scott

Dr. Jimmy Hollingsworth Scott (Chairman)

Rebecca Farris Scott

John Johnson Scott

Annie Stowers Scott

Dr. Tony McGee Supt. of Education

Dr. Randy Grierson Supt. of Education

Patsy Clark Winston

Delane Hudson Winston

Randal Livingston Winston

Jerry Nance Winston

Leo Parker Winston

2

President’s Message

June 30, 2020

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18a

In February 2013, the East Central Community College (ECCC) Board of Trustees officially approved 2020 Vision . It was the culmination of nearly eight months of a collaborative strategic planning process that included all stakeholders of the college—students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and members of our local communities. The result was a roadmap for the future—a strategic plan that gave us a vision to shape and guide the future of ECCC and included a long-term desire to be nationally recognized and locally preferred.

Eight years later, we are coming to an end of that road, a road that was not always straight and not always easy to navigate. Fortunately, 2020 Vision gave us the flexibility to meet the ever changing needs of the students and communities we serve, and there has never been a greater need for flexibility than during the Coronavirus pandemic that we began addressing in March 2020. COVID-19 presented us all with unprecedented and ever-changing times. Through it all, ECCC has persevered. 2020 Vision allowed us to be flexible and to adapt to most any situation we faced as a college. As I write this message on June 30, 2020, the last day of our fiscal year and my final day in office after eight years as president of ECCC, plans are being made to fully reopen the college for fall 2020 classes. As I turn the mantle of leadership over to the college’s ninth president, Dr. Brent Gregory, I wanted to share with you some of the many accomplishments of the 2020 Vision strategic plan in my final President’s Report . Everything you will read on the pages that follow is the result of all those individuals who bought into the vision they helped create, took ownership of that vision, and then worked hard to see that it became reality. In my “Message from the President” in the 2020 Vision strategic plan I wrote that I was convinced that God had a great plan for this institution. His Word states in Proverbs, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” 2020 Vision presented this college with a clear vision for the future with extensive input from all stakeholders, and I know as you read the pages that follow that you will see proof that God was, and continues to be, at work at ECCC.

May God richly bless each of you.

Dr. Billy W. Stewart President

3

In July of 2012, with the encouragement and support of the East Central Community College (ECCC) Board of Trustees, the institution embarked on a comprehensive and inclusive strategic planning process to chart a course for the future of the college. The planning process was buoyed by a report from the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) 21st Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges titled, “Reclaiming the American Dream: Community Colleges and the Nation’s Future” released in May of that year. The commission reported, “The American Dream is at risk. Community colleges can help reclaim it.

2020 V ISION

But stepping up to the challenge will require dramatic redesign of these institutions, their missions, and most critically, students’ educational experiences.” Further, the commission boldly declared, “If community colleges are to contribute powerfully to meeting the needs of 21st-century students and the 21st-century economy, education leaders must reimagine what these institutions are—and are capable of becoming.” Therefore, with this challenge by the 21st Century Commission to redesign students’ educational experiences, reinvent institutional roles, and reset the community college system to meet the needs of students, ECCC set out to assess not only what and where it was at that moment, but to imagine what and where it wanted to be in the future. The 2020 Vision strategic planning process at ECCC began at the Fall Convocation in August of 2012. Faculty members and administrators were asked to provide feedback and input regarding current strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies of the college; suggestions for improving instruction and student success; recommendations for potential initiatives of the college;

4 Explanation of 2020 VISION ECCCWants to Hear from YOU! East Central Community College is hosting Public Forums to solicit input from our communities regarding the future of the College as we develop 2020 Vision . Please let us know how we can improve YOUR community college by attending a Forum held near you! January 15 • The Newton Depot, Newton January 16 • Lake Tiak O’Khata (Flamingo Room), Louisville January 23 • Scott County Courthouse, Forest January 28 • The Philadelphia Depot, Philadelphia January 29 • Carthage Chamber of Commerce, Carthage 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Refreshments Provided East Central Community College Decatur, MS • www.eccc.edu • 877-462-3222

and trends to be considered in planning for the future of the college including enrollment and demographic data. The overriding questions were, “What is the college today and what should the college look like in the

year 2020?” This was followed by a series of meetings and interviews during the fall with staff members, students, the college’s District Workforce Council, the Board of Trustees, as well as numerous civic clubs and organizations throughout the five-county service area to engage stakeholders in discussions regarding these same ideas. In January of 2013, ECCC co-hosted five community forums with local economic development agencies and other entities, one in each county served by the college. They included: • Leake County—Leake Industrial Development Association and

Chamber of Commerce, Co-hosts • Neshoba County—Community Development Partnership, Co-host • Newton County—Mid-Mississippi Development District, Co-host • Scott County—Mid-Mississippi Development District and Scott County School District, Co-hosts • Winston County—Winston County Economic Development District Partnership, Co-host

More than 250 local elected officials, business and community leaders, school officials, ECCC board members, and other local constituents participated in these forums facilitated by college faculty, staff, and administrators. In addition, individuals were provided an online opportunity using the college website to provide input in the strategic plan. Following a review of the feedback and input received from employees, students, community members, and other stakeholders, as well as results from the online surveys, a revised mission statement and a new vision statement were established. VISION East Central Community College will be recognized nationally as a premier community college and locally as the preferred gateway to higher education and training for residents of east central Mississippi due to our focus on students and their success and our commitment to communities and their development. MISSION East Central Community College is a public, open-access, comprehensive two-year, institution of higher education that provides university transfer education, distance education opportunities, career-technical programs, workforce development services, and basic skills offerings to meet the educational and training needs of the residents of Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott, and Winston counties located in east central Mississippi.

5

In addition, seven Core Values which define the institution’s highest priorities and deepest-held beliefs were developed.

Wisdom Excellence Accountability Respect Enthusiasm

Efficiency Creativity

WE ARE EC

Descriptors were also developed to clarify the meaning of each of these Core Values. These three tenets made up the foundation of 2020 Vision and were presented and approved by the Board of Trustees at its meeting in February of 2013. In addition, five Institutional Commitments that served as the core functions to achieving the vision and fulfilling the mission of the college were identified and approved. The five Institutional Commitments included:

6 Explanation of 2020 VISION

Student Success

Teaching and Learning

Community Partnerships

Resource Planning and Development

Communication Following a thorough analysis of the feedback and input received from stakeholders of ECCC as well as current community college literature and best practices related to the five Institutional Commitments adopted by the college, action plans for each of the five Institutional Commitments were developed. These action plans were the result of synthesizing more than a thousand comments, suggestions, and ideas provided by all stakeholders involved in the strategic planning process.

2020 Vision represented a shared vision among the stakeholders of ECCC, a roadmap for the future, and a framework to improve the economic strength of the region. It also reflected the climate of dynamic collaboration, mutual respect, and meaningful conversation present within and outside of the college. 2020 Vision addressed what students and citizens of east central Mississippi identified as requirements from a nationally recognized and locally preferred institution of higher education. Therefore, 2020 Vision assisted the college in prioritizing future strategic initiatives and allocating educational and financial resources that provided an environment in which students were empowered to achieve their highest potential. All future college efforts for the next eight years, whether in the area of instruction, student services, business operations, public information, or facilities, were focused on the five Institutional Commitments and the corresponding action plans and implemented according to the seven Core Values identified by the college. While offering direction for the future, 2020 Vision maintained flexibility to meet the ever-changing needs of the students and communities the college serves while preserving an emphasis on the fundamental priorities identified during the collaborative planning process.

Student Success

Teaching and Learning

Community Partnerships

Resource Planning and Development

On the pages that follow are just a few of the many

achievements under each of the five Institutional Commitments.

Communication

7

Student Success Initiatives As part of 2020 Vision , several initiatives were implemented to improve student success, particularly in the area of program completion, including: • Waiving the $40 graduation fee as an incentive for more students to apply for graduation and officially complete programs of study. • Reducing the number of hours needed for a two-year associate degree from 62 to 60 to align with the 120 hours needed for a baccalaureate degree. • Increasing the number of hours needed for a full-time course load from 12 to 15 hours so that students successfully completing a full load of 15 hours over four semesters have an opportunity to graduate in two years. • Reducing late registration from five class days to two days so that students who register late only miss one day of classes at the beginning of each semester. • Requiring all full-time faculty members to devote one hour per week tutoring students in the Success Center, which was moved from the Smith Student Services Building to the Burton Library for easier student access.

Top Two-Year College in Mississippi

over the previous academic year, which at the time was the largest graduating class in ECCC history. The record graduating class included a 33 percent increase in students receiving technical or career certificates over the previous year, a direct result of a reformatting in fall 2014 of exit points for students in these programs.

ECCC was ranked the No. 1 Community College in the state of Mississippi by The Clarion-Ledger newspaper in its June 14, 2014, edition based on academic performance of transfer students and tuition cost. The article noted ECCC had the

highest transfer grade-point average among the state’s community and junior colleges and offered the second lowest tuition. The Clarion-Ledger is the state’s largest daily newspaper.

Top 100

in Degrees to Minorities

ECCC ranked among the top 100 community and junior colleges in the nation in conferring associate degrees to minorities in three different academic areas according to data released in 2017 by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education . ECCC was ranked No. 30 among all two-year colleges and schools nationwide in the number of degrees awarded to African

Record Graduating Class ECCC graduated its largest class of students during the 2015-16 academic year as it awarded degrees and/or certificates to 599 students, the largest one-year total since the college was founded in 1928. It was a 5.1 percent increase

8 STUDENT SUCCESS

Americans in Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences and No. 37 in the nation in the number of degrees awarded to Native Americans in Liberal Arts and Sciences/General Studies/Humanities. ECCC also ranked No. 85 nationally in total degrees awarded to Native Americans in all academic disciplines combined. Nation’s Largest PBL Chapter ECCC’s Theta Chi chapter of Phi Beta Lambda is the

Lake area and added a second court. A disc golf and foot golf course were also added to that area. Among Best in Upward Economic Mobility A national study published in 2017 by The New York Times indicated that ECCC ranked No. 40 out of 690 community colleges in the nation included in the study, and No. 3 in Mississippi, in overall economic

largest community college chapter in the nation, and fourth largest among all two-year and four-year institutions. There are more than 500 PBL chapters on college campuses across the United States. Phi Beta Lambda is a national business education association for students interested in careers in business and business-related fields.

mobility of graduates over their lifetime, despite being among the lowest two year colleges in the nation in family income of incoming students. Student Scholarship Support

Top 25 PTK Chapter ECCC’s Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges, was recognized in 2016 on the organization’s inaugural President’s List, which recognizes the 25 chapters with the highest membership acceptance rates. ECCC’s Theta Xi Chapter was ranked No. 18 with a 41 percent acceptance rate. Enhanced Student Activity Options Participation by ECCC students in intramural sports saw a substantial increase beginning in spring 2016 with the addition of several new intramural sports, including indoor volleyball, outdoor sand volleyball, and disc golf. The college relocated the sand volleyball court from the front of Todd Hall to the EC

Dozens of new endowed and annual scholarships were funded by generous alumni, friends, and business and industry over the past eight years to assist ECCC students in their academic pursuits. A record 130 students were honored at the 2019 ECCC Foundation Scholarship Recognition Reception and a record $183,000 in Foundation Scholarships were presented to ECCC students that year. ACT Scholarship Enhancements ECCC dramatically increased the value of the scholarships it awards at various ACT composite score levels in fall 2018 to provide greater financial support to more students. Incoming freshman students who enrolled full-time the fall semester immediately following high school graduation or the first regular semester after having received the high

9

Athletics Success ECCC continues to field competitive teams in nine varsity sports competing in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Some of the on-the-field highlights from the past eight years include: • Warrior baseball player Tim Anderson was drafted in the first round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft by the Chicago White Sox after being named the NJCAA Male Athlete of the Year. • The 2015 Lady Warrior softball team finished runner-up in the NJCAA Division II Softball National Championship, while also finishing second in both the MACJC State and NJCAA Region 23 tournaments. • Hannah Peoples of Carthage and Mackie Smith of Philadelphia captured the MACJC State and NJCAA Region 23 Tennis Tournament titles in No. 2 Doubles in 2015. • The 2015 Warrior Football team defeated Kilgore College 35-21 in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl in Copperas Cove, Texas, and finished with an 8-3 overall record, the best since 1999. • The 2016 Lady Warrior basketball team won the MACJC State Tournament. • The 2016 ECCC Baseball team won the MACJC State Tournament. • The 2016 football team won the college’s first-ever MACJC South Division title. • Bethany Wellerman of Lawrence won the 2018 MACJC/NJCAA Region 23 Tournament titles at No. 5 Singles. She was 13-0 on the season. • The men’s golf team finished in 12th place at the 2018 NJCAA Division II Golf Championships. It was the first-ever appearance by an ECCC golf team in the national championship tournament. • The men’s tennis team finished 19th overall at the 2019 NJCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championship.

school equivalency began receiving the following scholarship awards based on ACT score: ACT Composite Score 20 23—Dean’s Award, one-half tuition per semester; 24-28—President’s Award, full tuition per semester; or 29-36—Board of Trustees Award, full scholarship of tuition, room, and board per semester.

the college’s Theta Chi Chapter of Phi Beta Lambda. Warrior POST (Providing Others Support Together) located in the

Tucker Applied Technology Center provides free non-perishable food items and other life necessities to currently enrolled students with demonstrated need.

Warrior POST Food Pantry A ribbon cutting was held in February 2019 for a campus food pantry sponsored by

10 STUDENT SUCCESS

Tops in Transfer GPA ECCC was once again the best in the state for the third straight year in 2019 in preparing students for success at four year public universities in Mississippi. Students who transferred from ECCC to a public four-year institution earned the highest cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of all community college transfers in the state of Mississippi in 2019. Students who transferred from ECCC to one of the state’s eight public, four-year institutions earned a 3.32

published at LendingTree.com in fall 2019. The rankings were based on data from the 513 community

GPA at baccalaureate graduation in 2019. It marked fifth time in the past seven years that all students who transferred from ECCC to a public, four-year university in Mississippi

and junior colleges across the country with the best graduation rates and transfer rates. Student-Athlete Academic Success Each year, ECCC is among the national and state leaders in student-athletes who qualify for the NJCAA All-Academic First, Second, and Third teams and the MACJC

earned the highest GPA at baccalaureate graduation of all the state’s community colleges. Top 50 Ranking ECCC was ranked No. 27 in the nation among two year colleges in preparing students to transfer to a four-year school or turn an Associate Degree into a successful career according to “50 Best Schools for Transferring From Community College to University”

Distinguished Academic and Academic All-State teams based on individual grade-point average. ECCC is also among the national leaders in teams annually recognized for team GPA. Both the women’s and men’s tennis teams were selected 2012-13 NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year and the women’s softball and soccer teams were the 2014-15 NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year.

11

No. 23 Nationally for Quality ECCC was nationally recognized for its success in providing a quality education. The college was ranked the 23rd best community college in the nation, according to the September 2013 edition of Washington Monthly , which included ECCC in its 2013 College Guide’s annual ranking of “America’s Top 50 Community Colleges.” Classroom Technology Upgrades ECCC made a commitment in 2014 to upgrade technology to support teaching and learning. The technology has been upgraded in all campus classrooms and instructional laboratories, including podiums, projectors, personal computers, and microphones. Webcams were installed in June 2020. In addition, enterprise wireless access points were installed in all instructional facilities. Off-Site Electrical Technology ECCC began offering courses in its Electrical Technology Program at the Louisville Career Advancement Center in fall 2015. The for-credit courses, which could lead to an Associate of

the Mississippi Virtual Community College Innovative Learning and Design Grant Program designed to enhance the experience and success of students enrolled in online learning courses. ECCC used the grant to expand its eLearning Education facilities and testing services to meet the increasing online enrollment and for faculty professional development. Top 100 ‘Best’ Community Colleges A report released by WalletHub.com in fall 2015 named the Mississippi community college system as the best in the nation. The same report listed ECCC as one of the Top 100 Best Community Colleges in the nation among 670 like institutions studied. The ranking was based on cost and financing, classroom experience, education outcomes, and career outcomes.

Four-Day Class Schedule ECCC implemented a four-day class schedule

beginning with the 2017-18 academic

Applied Science degree, were offered via video conferencing, with a tech facilitator in the Louisville Career Advancement Center to assist with questions and hands-on coursework and demonstrations. ECCC was able to offer the courses thanks to a $2.5 million Trade

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

Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant.

12 holds classes Monday through Thursday, with Friday being devoted to learning and studying opportunities for students and professional development and advising opportunities for faculty. TEACHING & LEARNING E-Learning Grant The ECCC eLearning Education Program received a $10,000 grant in May 2015 through

Great College to Work For ECCC was again named one of the best colleges in the nation to work for in 2019 according to the annual survey of college and university employees by “The Great Colleges to Work For” program. ECCC was also recognized in 2016 and 2017. The Great Colleges to Work For survey rates institutions on 12 categories in the fields of leadership, careers, the workplace, and compensation. ECCC has been recognized in the categories of Collaborative Governance, for faculty members who are appropriately involved in decisions related to academic programs; Confidence in Senior Leadership, for leaders who have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience for institutional success; Supervisor and Department Chair Relationship, for supervisors who make expectations

at the college by spring 2017. Of those students not completing a certificate or degree, 21 percent successfully transferred to another postsecondary institution, resulting in a 61 percent graduation plus transfer-out rate. ECCC’s three-year graduation rate was just 24 percent in 2012.

Oliphant Martin Grants The ECCC Foundation began annually awarding Oliphant-Martin Faculty Excellence Fund Grants to various college academic departments

clear and solicit ideas; Work and Life Balance, for policies that give employees the flexibility to manage their personal lives; Compensation and Benefits, for pay that is fair and benefits that meet the needs of employees; and Teaching Environment, where faculty members say the institution recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching. 40 Percent Graduation Rate ECCC achieved a 40 percent, three-year graduation rate for the first time in over a decade, which is substantially higher than state and national graduation rates. The accomplishment meant that 40 percent of first-time, full-time students who enrolled in ECCC in fall 2014 completed a degree or certificate

in August 2017 to fund purchases that will enhance the college’s Institutional Commitments of Teaching and Learning and Student Success. More than $40,000 was awarded the first three years. The ECCC Faculty Excellence Fund, established in 1997, was renamed in 2010 to the Oliphant-Martin Faculty Excellence Fund to acknowledge the many generous contributions of alumna Dr. Beverly Henry Oliphant-Martin (’58) and her husband, John Martin. New Course Offerings ECCC continued to expand its academic offerings, including Criminal Justice Technology and Cybersecurity Technology which both began in fall 2018. The Criminal Justice Technology program provides students with the skill base necessary to become professionals in law enforcement, corrections, and other criminal justice fields. The Cybersecurity

13

College/University Partnerships ECCC has established several partnerships and agreements with four-year colleges and universities over the past eight years to create well-defined pathways for students to complete four-year degrees. These partnerships include: • Mississippi University for Women (MUW) for ECCC students earning the Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology to transfer into MUW’s Bachelor of Technology degree program. • MUW that provides a seamless transition for ECCC culinary arts technology and hotel and restaurant technology students to earn a bachelor’s degree in similar programs at MUW. • Blue Mountain College (BMC) that provides a defined pathway for ECCC students to transfer to BMC to complete a bachelor’s degree. • University of West Alabama (UWA) that guarantees admission to UWA to all ECCC students who have a grade-point average of 2.0 or higher and 48 transferable credit hours or an Associate Degree awarded from East Central. • Mississippi State University (MSU) that outlines a pathway for ECCC students enrolled in technical education programs to complete MSU’s new Bachelor of Applied Science degree.

Technology program provides students with the skill base necessary to become professionals in network administration, network support specialist, computer network defense, intrusion detection systems, red team technician, and penetration testing. Clean 5th-Year SACSCOC Report

institution to have a report that does not require additional information or reports to be submitted to SACSCOC in order to be judged in compliance with the accrediting body’s standards and requirements. Institutions

accredited by SACSCOC must seek reaffirmation of that accreditation

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the accrediting body for ECCC, accepted the college’s Fifth-Year Interim Report, along with its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Impact Report, in December 2018, with no additional information

every 10 years, which requires an off-site campus visit by a

14 peer committee and submission of a five year QEP designed to improve student learning or the environment for student success. Titled The Warrior Path to Success, ECCC’s QEP was designed to enhance student learning and engagement for first-time, first TEACHING & LEARNING requested to be in compliance. It is uncommon for an

semester, full-time, at-risk students enrolled in developmental classes. Electrical Utility Lineman Program The ECCC Workforce Development Center began offering a new 16-week program in Electrical Utility Lineman in February 2019. The new non credit program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in the field of utility power transmission and distribution construction, troubleshooting, and repair. Over the duration of the class, successful students earn certifications including a Class A Commercial Driver’s License, First Aid CPR, and OSHA 10-Hour. A hands-on

began classes in the program, which runs August to July, that same month. Students can earn 45 hours and a technical certificate and move straight into the workforce, or complete an additional 15 hours in academic core courses and earn the Associate of Applied Science degree.

Aspen Prize Nominee The Aspen Institute

College Excellence Program named ECCC as one of the 150 community colleges in the nation eligible to compete for the $1 million 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the signature recognition of high achievement and performance among community colleges in the U.S. Based on strong and improving student outcomes, 15 percent of community colleges nationwide were invited to apply for the Aspen Prize, which is awarded every two years. The 150 community colleges eligible to compete were selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 public two-year colleges nationwide using publicly available data on student outcomes. The Aspen Institute will conduct site visits to each of the 10 finalists and collect additional quantitative data, including employment and earnings data. A distinguished jury will make award decisions in spring 2021.

training area including power poles and a bucket truck was established on the north end of campus near the EC Lake. Diesel Equipment Technology Program ECCC and its partners celebrated the college’s new Diesel Equipment Technology program and new facility during ribbon cutting ceremonies in August 2019 at the former U.S. Motors Plant site in Philadelphia. The project was a joint effort between ECCC, the city of Philadelphia, Neshoba County, Community Development Partnership, and USDA Rural Development. The first cohort of 11 students

15

‘An Evening With’ Series Established Herman Boone, the legendary head football coach at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., and the inspiration behind the 2000 movie Remember the Titans , addressed a packed Huff Auditorium in November 2013 as ECCC’s first “An Evening With” series speaker. Astronaut Fred Haise, who served as the lunar module pilot during the ill-fated Apollo 13 space mission in 1970 and is portrayed by Bill Paxton in the film Apollo 13 , and actor David Payne portraying C.S. Lewis were other “An Evening With” presenters. These free events are made possible through the financial support of the ECCC Foundation and the Oliphant-Martin Faculty Excellence Endowment. Top 10 Bellwether Finalist The ECCC program “Connecting College with Communities” was named a Top 10 Bellwether Finalist in the nation in January 2015 in the Planning, Governance, and Finance Category. The program was recognized at the Community Colleges Futures Assembly in Orlando, Fla. TAACCCT Grant Awarded ECCC was awarded a $2.5

grant program and co-administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education. The grant was used to provide training in information technology, healthcare, energy, and advanced manufacturing at the Louisville Career Advancement Center. Winston County Partnership ECCC and Taylor Machine Works, a major manufacturer of power industrial trucks located in Louisville, announced a partnership in October 2015 to prepare individuals for skilled jobs at the growing manufacturing company. As part of the partnership, applicants for jobs at Taylor must have successfully passed the ACT WorkKeys Career Readiness Assessment offered by ECCC, which provides the assessment and

helps applicants prepare for the test. Taylor also started giving preference to individuals who complete the Manufacturing Skills-Basic training program offered at ECCC’s Louisville Career Advancement Center. Military Friendly School ECCC continued to be designated as a Military Friendly School by Victory Media, one

million grant in 2014 to provide workforce training opportunities in Winston County, one of the five counties the college serves. ECCC was among 270 community colleges

of only a few community

colleges in Mississippi to carry the designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly School designation are evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey

nationwide and the first announced Mississippi

16 completed by the school and students. 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. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS community college to receive the grant, which is provided by the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) competitive

Inaugural WarriorFest ECCC hosted its inaugural WarriorFest in April 2016 with more than 500 people attending the family friendly event held on the north end of campus near the Pavilion and Lake area. Activities included a Hot Air Balloon Glow, 5-K Nite-Glow Run/Walk, KidZone and a fireworks show. 5 Finger Discount out of New Orleans, La., the feature band, played throughout the evening. A Golf Ball Drop fundraiser was also held, and a Festival Food Court served carnival style food. All proceeds benefited the ECCC Alumni Association. Special Needs Prom ECCC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, the international honor society for two-year colleges, hosted the first of what would become an annual prom for special needs students in the five-county district in November 2016.

equivalency classes, workforce training opportunities, and evening for-credit academic courses are among the uses for the center. GenCyber Program Grant ECCC was awarded a $74,646 grant from the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation to offer free GenCyber Camps for girls in summer

2019 in

locations throughout the college’s five county district.

The free camps for girls entering grades three through five were designed to get

more females interested in careers in the computer science industry. Each camp provided hands-on learning activities that allowed participants to learn cybersecurity vulnerabilities, cybercrime, and how attention to safe online behavior is crucial to their personal safety. EC Cares for our Community ECCC held its first EC Cares for our Community Day in March 2019 as faculty, staff, and students spread out across the college’s five-county district to perform community service. More than a dozen locations were served and activities included cleaning and organizing, painting, landscaping, carpentry, shelving books, office work, and playing games and interacting with nursing home residents, among other requested tasks. The idea for the annual day of service originated among members of the college’s Administration, Faculty, and Staff Association. All those participating received EC Cares T-shirts.

The prom has been held in the

Mabry Cafeteria and at Pierce Castle in Decatur and features a meal, dancing, and party favors.

ECCC students serve as dates for the participants. PTK members raise the money to stage the prom through various fundraisers and the help of area businesses that purchase sponsorships. Students and individuals throughout the community donate prom dresses. Forest Career Advancement Center ECCC opened its Forest Career Advancement Center in fall 2017. The college leases a building in Forest thanks to federal grant monies provided through the Mississippi Community College Board’s Office of Adult Education. The Forest Center gives the college a presence in all five counties it serves. High school

17

Record Donation Received In October 2013, the estate of 1950 graduate Frances Gaines Blum Slagle presented the college’s Foundation with approximately $2.68 million in cash, stocks, and certificates of deposit to be used to establish student scholarships. Since that day, the total amount of the donation exceeds $3 million. The gift represents the largest single donation ever received by the institution and one of the largest gifts ever received by a community college in the state of Mississippi. Tony Dungy Headlines Fundraiser Tony Dungy, former Super Bowl champion head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and an analyst for NBC’s “Football Night in America,” was the keynote speaker for “Laying the Foundation: An Evening with Coach Tony Dungy” in March 2014 at the Neshoba County Coliseum in Philadelphia. The sold-out event served as a fundraiser for a proposed new football operations center at ECCC and included a silent auction with autographed items from major figures from the world of sports. New Turf Football Field Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in June 2014 for a new

by the ECCC Warrior men’s and women’s soccer teams, along with donations provided through memberships in the EC Warrior Soccer Club. The fence improved the aesthetics of the field and created a more favorable place for intercollegiate soccer competition. Re-Pavement of Walking Trail The re-pavement of the Dick Livingston Walking Trail that encircles the college’s lake in 2014 was made possible thanks to a grant from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. The walking trail serves the wellness needs of both the college and local communities. Institution-Wide Planning Process ECCC implemented an institution-wide planning process in 2014 which ties budget requests and approvals to research data and performance metrics. All college budget units request funding based on measurable goals and clearly defined benchmarks. This allows decision-makers to allocate resources towards high-impact and successful initiatives supported by evidence. To

synthetic turf field at ECCC’s Warrior Field at Bailey Stadium. Funding for the installation of the turf field was provided in part from net

support this process, an online planning

tool was developed and deployed that is accessible by all personnel. Cultural Arts Series

proceeds of “Laying the

18 ECCC kicked off a Cultural Arts Series during the 2014-15 academic year as a way to bring performing artists and visual artists to the campus throughout the year for both students and the community. Among the events each year, in addition to college performing groups RESOURCE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Foundation: An Evening with Coach Tony Dungy” in March 2014. New Fencing at Soccer Complex The college’s soccer complex was enclosed with a new fence in 2014 thanks to various fundraisers

and artists, are historical exhibits; local, state, and national speakers and entertainers; and state university ensembles, among others. Huff Auditorium Renovations Huff Auditorium, originally constructed in 1953, was renovated in 2014 through funding from the Mississippi Legislature. New cushioned and upholstered chairs replaced the original seating in the auditorium, and additional space was made available between rows for more comfort. Sound panels were installed and a new handicap chairlift for entrance into the facility was added. Cross Hall Renovations A ribbon-cutting ceremony in September 2014

groups, various games and rides, food and drink, movies, a Nativity scene, and Santa Claus.

Paving, Lighting, Sidewalk Improvements

Officials from ECCC and the Town of Decatur officially dedicated the completion of paving, sidewalk, and lighting projects during a ceremony in May 2015. The projects were made possible by Surface Transportation Program and Transportation Alternatives Program grant funding provided through the Mississippi Department of Transportation. The improvements not only made

officially unveiled the reconstructed

and renovated Cross Hall. The $3.7 million project was funded using State Bond

the area more aesthetically pleasing, but improved the safety of students and others living

and attending classes on the South Campus.

Disc Golf Course ECCC officially opened a new Disc Golf Course in 2015, a challenging nine-hole course which wraps around the college lake and is open to the public, to increase opportunities for student involvement in campus activities and physical development. A Foot Golf Course was added in 2019. Renovated Male Dormitories Students returned to campus in August 2015 to two newly renovated male dormitories, Newsome Hall and Todd Hall. The renovations included new flooring, furniture, lighting, restroom facilities, and heating and air conditioning, among other improvements. Common spaces also were updated with new furniture and large-screen televisions. The $2.1 million cost of the renovations was funded by state of Mississippi bond funds. In summer 2019, the college continued its quest to make comfortable campus living a priority with the renovation of Neshoba, Scott, and Winston halls, which received new paint, flooring, and furniture. The rooms at Neshoba Hall and Scott Hall received new beds, desks, chairs, and wardrobes with drawers. Winston

Funds appropriated by the Mississippi Legislature. The “new” Cross Hall is now a 14,093 square-foot facility,

including two new tiered classrooms with a seating capacity of 100 per room, two new classrooms with a 60-person seating capacity, two newly renovated existing tiered classrooms that accommodate at least 30, a renovated chemistry lab, and additional office space. The facility complements Davis Hall, a state-of the art facility housing various science laboratories and faculty offices, which was completed in 2012. Warrior Wonderland Begins The college hosted its first-ever Warrior Wonderland in 2014 following the Decatur Christmas parade. The annual event has become a tremendous success in bringing campus and community together. Each year features fireworks, music by college and community

19

Hall, which has built-in study and closet areas, was furnished with new beds and chairs. Top 10 Most Affordable ECCC was ranked No. 9 in the nation among the “50 Most Affordable Small Colleges for Hospitality Administration and Management 2015” by editors of BestHospitalityDegrees.com, an online resource to aid prospective students who desire to earn management positions in the growing tourism industry. Tobacco-Free Campus & Wellness Initiatives ECCC officially became a tobacco-free campus on January 1, 2016. The tobacco-free policy was part of a 2020 Vision action plan to promote student and employee wellness initiatives that create a culture of health and wellness on campus. The policy prohibits all tobacco products, including smoke-emanating (or electronic) and smokeless products, on all campuses, including in vehicles. Warrior Wellness ECCC received a $127,500 grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation in fall 2016 to support the college’s Warrior

part-time assistance, funded an annual Wellness Week, and provided for additional fitness equipment. Campus Master Plan The ECCC Board of Trustees approved a new Campus Master Plan in September 2016, which is a physical manifestation of the 2020 Vision strategic plan. The Campus Master Plan provides a road map for the physical needs of the college for 5, 15, and 25 years, ensuring that campus physical resources are used in the most effective and efficient means as opportunities for growth are explored and to provide the best and safest learning environment for students. The plan was developed with input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, trustees, and others. New Tennis Complex A ribbon cutting held in February 2017 marked the official opening of the new Tennis Complex on the ECCC campus. The $1.2 million Tennis Complex includes eight lighted courts

to serve the ECCC men’s and women’s varsity tennis teams, as well as the campus and local communities. Future plans include men’s and women’s

Wellness initiative and boost efforts to create and sustain a culture of wellness on its campuses and in the local communities. The initial grant funded a full-time Wellness Coordinator, equipment upgrades in the

locker rooms, coach’s office, team meeting

room, concessions area, and restrooms, dependent upon funding.

20 Underground Utilities Project Work began in June 2017 on a $1.2 million project that put most of the electrical utilities on the ECCC campus underground, thanks to support from the state Legislature and local State Rep. Randy Rushing of Decatur. All above ground electrical, telephone, fiber optic, and other utility lines were placed underground from RESOURCE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ECCC Wellness Center, a wellness assessment center on campus, and costs associated with campus and community wellness activities. A second grant for $92,588 in 2017 helped expand fitness classes offered free to students, increased supervised access to the Wellness Center with

Broad Street on the front of campus to 10th Street on the north side of campus. In addition to helping the aesthetics of campus, this hazard mitigation project allows ECCC to serve as a staging center during emergency weather situations when power is out elsewhere. Cafeteria Renovation Thanks to the college’s food service vendor Valley Services Inc. (now Aladdin), the Mabry Cafeteria on campus underwent an extensive renovation in summer 2017. Enhancements included more and healthier dining options for students in a true restaurant-style setting, TV monitors located along the serving lines that provide menu and nutrition information, food stations and expanded seating in the Gold Room to accommodate the more than 100 additional resident students who live in the New Women’s Residence Hall, and double doors between the Gordon and

shortstop for the Chicago White Sox, headlined the event at the Neshoba County Coliseum. All proceeds went to support the ECCC baseball program and facilities. A native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Anderson hit a Major League Baseball-best .335 during the 2019 season and became only the third White Sox player to win the batting title. He played for ECCC in 2012 and 2013, helping lead the Warriors to a MACJC State Championship his sophomore year when he was named the NJCAA Male Athlete of the Year. Anderson was drafted by the White Sox as the 17th overall selection in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft.

Magnolia rooms to provide one large serving/meeting room.

Warrior

Hall Opens ECCC officially opened its new Warrior Hall football operations center with a ribbon cutting ceremony in March 2020. The $2.6 million, 12,300-square-foot facility is located just outside the north end zone of Warrior Field at Bailey Stadium. Warrior Hall contains locker rooms for players and for coaches, a team meeting room, position conference rooms, coaches’ offices, an equipment room, a players’ lounge, and a laundry room. It also houses a state-of the-art training room with hydrotherapy pool to be used by student-athletes in all nine varsity sports at the college. Most of the rooms and areas in the building were sponsored by donors. Billy W. Stewart Hall The New Women’s Residence Hall, located adjacent to Erma Lee Barber Hall on the college’s South Campus, opened for the fall 2017 semester. The college’s Board of Trustees renamed the facility Billy W. Stewart Hall in May 2020 to honor the retirement of the college’s eighth president. The $6.6 million facility was funded using bond revenue and with financial support from each of the five counties in the college’s district. The modern, three-story facility includes 56 rooms, a study area and a kitchen on each floor for student use, and a coin-operated laundry room.

Lucille Wood Court

The college dedicated Lucille Wood Court at the new Tennis Complex on campus in March 2018. One of the eight courts was named in recognition of Wood thanks to a gift to the college from members of her family. A 1951 graduate of then East Central Junior College, Wood was a two-sport star athlete at ECCC who also was a championship-winning coach at her alma mater. A fundraising effort continues to name the other seven tennis courts.

Anderson Headlines Baseball Fundraiser

The ECCC baseball program raised nearly $25,000 during the Around the Diamond with Tim Anderson event in January 2020, featuring the former Warrior All-American baseball player and current Major League Baseball batting champion. Anderson, the starting

21

Fastest Growing Community College For the third straight year in 2014, ECCC was included in the list of the Top 50 Fastest Growing Community Colleges in the United States, according to the publication Community College Week . ECCC was ranked 36th on the list of two-year institutions with student enrollments from 2,500 to 4,999. Google Locater Services Implemented Students who need to know the exact location of a campus facility or classroom at ECCC were able to access the information beginning in 2013 with the use of Google, which released an “indoor navigation tool” as part of its Google Mobile Maps. Specifically designed for Android smartphone and tablet users, the technology allows users “to quickly and efficiently navigate through indoor spaces, picking up where GPS leaves off.” New Visual Identity and Standards ECCC implemented a new Visual Identity during the 2013-14 school year to convey a consistent message to internal and external audiences. The logo designs were created by Communication Arts Company (college logos) and Beam Team Design (athletics logos) and officially adopted by the ECCC Board

of the identifiers. The manual offers useful guidelines for incorporating the visual image in a wide range of situations and environments. The college’s Public Information Office is responsible for maintaining and distributing the proper logos, symbols, and colors. New Electronic Message Sign The college installed a new electronic information sign in 2014 at its Highway 15 entrance to complement the electronic sign located at the main campus entrance in front of the Vincent Administration Building on West Broad Street in Decatur. The signs rotate information on college activities and events, including time and weather. In addition, the front campus sign was converted to two sided so that messages can be seen by visitors entering and leaving the campus. Social Media ECCC became more strategic and intentional in its use of social media beginning in 2015 in an

effort to increase the number of people it reaches and

to improve the information they receive. In addition to more strategic planning and scheduling of social media, an Instagram account was added to the existing Facebook page and Twitter account, as well as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts for athletics. The college’s social media presence has increased dramatically. The main Facebook page now has 11,100 likes, the main Twitter account has 3,720 followers, and the main

of Trustees in April 2013. In addition, a new Identity Graphic Standards Manual was created to familiarize members of the college community with the college’s official logos, symbols, and colors, as well as assist with the implementation

22 COMMUNICATION