ECC and Canalside team upfor downtown Learning Garden | Page 3

ECC Football ready to roll | Page 5Semiconductor Manufacturing | Page 1

Fall 2015

New Student Support Centerat City Campus | See page 2TODAY

ECC and Canalside team up for downtown Learning Garden | Page 3

Dr. Robert Campo, professor at Erie Community College, was chosen by the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-tion (NASA) as a national science educationambassador, and spent part of this summer

studying the administration’s capabilities insideMaryland’s GoddardSpace Center for usein his classes at ECC. Campo, an East

Amherst residentwho also teachesclasses at Hilbert and

D’Youville College, earned the recognitionthrough his work in astronomy at both ECCCity and South Campus, as well as initiating the gifted science program at St.Peter and Paul Catholic elementary school inWilliamsville. Dr. Campo’s educational background in this focus also includes teaching methods of science instruction to

future teachers at D’Youville and MedailleCollege, as well as lobbying for an honorsphysics program as a member on theWilliamsville School District CurriculumCouncil.

The prestigious title awards individualswho are responsible for creating science programs that promote science literacy; providing science programs to underprivi-leged students; and instituting programs thatimprove a community. In early August, Dr.Campo traveled as an ambassador to Goddard’s Astronaut Training Center inGreenbelt, Maryland and learned about thelatest information from the InternationalSpace Station, Hubble space telescope and deep space imaging satellites directlyfrom NASA.

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ECC to aid in region’s incoming industries with semiconductor manufacturing courses

Professor selected by NASA as national science education ambassador

Erie Community College will offertraining essentials for careers insidenew nanotechnology-focused

companies and industries opening acrossWestern New York with a one-semestercourse sequence in Semiconductor Manufac-turing, starting in fall of 2015 at the college’sNorth Campus in Williamsville.

Semiconductors act as essential opera-tional components inside most electronic devices, including such items as smartphones,personal computers and tablets. ECC’splanned courses—including offerings likeElectrical Circuits I, Computer Applicationsfor Electricians and Introduction to Nanotechnology—will provide students thefundamental knowledge of semiconductorprocessing and fabrication, DC electricity,and quality control principles and software.

Hands-on laboratory courses will not onlyprepare students to make electrical measure-ments required for testing photovoltaic cellsand panels, but also expose students to a variety of semiconductor fabrication andcharacterization equipment used in the manufacturing of the type of photovoltaicpanels produced for solar energy. And although no math course is required to earn aLetter of Completion for the sequence, amath placement test (with college-level math)will be administered to all incoming students.

Once students complete the semester’scourses—which are drawn from accrediteddegree programs in Electrical EngineeringTechnology Associate in Applied Science, Industrial Technology Associate in Occupa-tional Studies and Nanotechnology Associatein Arts—they’ll be able to demonstrate the

ability to use electrical instruments to performstandard tests, measurements and tasks; operate nanofabrication process equipmentwith a focus on safety, environmental andhealth issues; and apply quality standardsused by industries across Buffalo-set locationsat Riverbend and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

Students will also benefit from the sequence’sfaculty, who recently augmented their owncourse training within Penn State University’sNanotechnology Applications and CareerKnowledge (NACK) Center, which is a National Science Foundation designated National Center of Excellence for Nanotech-nology Workforce Development.

For more information, contact Barb Bohlenin ECC’s Office of Transition Programs at716-851-1239.

Dr. Robert Campo

ECC aims to improve service withCity Campus Student Success CenterErie Community College officials joined

local political leaders, staff and students to open the college’s new

City Campus Student Success Center,located inside a reconfigured wing of its 45Oak Street building—with a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this summer on June 12.

“The name ‘Student Success Center’ is appropriate because that’s what this college isabout: student success,” said ECC PresidentJack Quinn, who was joined by City of BuffaloDeputy Mayor Ellen Grant, New York StateAssemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes and alarge contingent of the college’s staff and students. “This revamped facility will certainlyimprove our customer service for studentseager to start at ECC in future semesters.”

The new student-focused center—which

now serves as a one-stop service model toeventually be replicated at ECC’s North andSouth campuses—was conceived to stream-line and strengthen City Campus’s services byconsolidating its Admissions, Financial Aid,Registration, Counseling and Career Servicesoffices in one convenient location. Instead ofhaving these needs spread across multiplebuildings inside its downtown footprint, visi-tors can now find friendly student advocatesto first assist them through these enrollmentprocesses, then develop a plan essential totheir eventual success at ECC, further collegeeducation and post-grad careers. It’s a rareconsolidation at any college, whether in Buffalo or elsewhere.

“Students will not only leave this centerknowing what they’re going to do next

semester, but what they’re going to do five to10 years down the road,” said Ben Packer,ECC’s executive vice president of student affairs. “This will be the major benefit of thecenter, and we’re so happy to be able to offerthese refined services to our students.”

This Student Success Center is just one ofthe many initiatives ECC has recently under-taken to make enrolling at the college moreconvenient, as well as increase recruitmentand retention efforts. Other initiatives includeits new START orientation program; imple-mentation of early-alert software over the nextcalendar year; and revamping recruitment efforts to reach both traditional and non-traditional students throughout Western New York.

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“Students will not only leave this center knowing what they’re going to do next semester, but what they’re going to do fiveto 10 years down the road,” said Ben Packer, ECC’s executive vice president of student affairs

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Faculty from Erie Community College’s Culinary Arts Departmenthave wanted to incorporate farm-to-

table teaching into their program’s curriculumfor years. But without adequate outdoor spacenear its City Campus operation, prospectivecourses sat waiting—until this summer.

With June’s opening of the Learning Garden at Canalside—located at the corner ofMain and Marine, and nestled in the loomingshadow of HARBORCENTER’s brand newMarriott—ECC’s faculty finally realized theirgoal of bringing award-winning instruction tothe bucolic space they’d always imagined.And on August 4, representatives of the college and Canalside applauded the literalfruits (and vegetables) of their labor when all

gathered at the now-blooming expanse for alunchtime Summer Harvest celebration.

“This was the vision I had for this programfive years ago,” said Kristin Goss, assistantprofessor of Culinary Arts at ECC and drivingforce behind the Learning Garden’s establish-ment. “These are the classes I wanted toteach, and this was the environment I wantedto host them. It’s beautiful, and I couldn’t behappier with what’s now surrounding us.”

ECC’s Learning Garden—constructed bythe college’s Building and Grounds crew, facilitated through the college’s Service Learn-ing Initiative, aided by donations from HomeDepot, and green-lit by Canalside manage-ment—has been used as a lab for a series ofgardening classes as part of the college’s Culi-nary Arts Program throughout the summer.Classes have been conducted with students interested in learning about the integral rela-tionship between people, land and food, aswell as the biological, chemical and physicalneed for green spaces. The garden featuresseveral different types of plant propagationmethods for soil-based growing systems, including open field, square foot vertical, andgreenhouse gardening, and is now bearing itsfirst rewards. And with its student-constructedoversized yellow Adirondack chair (see photo),the Learning Garden is now one of two suc-cessful projects completed by two of Buffalo’snewest collaborators, ECC and Canalside.

“This is a perfect example of the type ofpartnership that makes Erie Community College so special,” said ECC President JackQuinn. “Our faculty and staff did a tremendousjob to link with representatives at Canalside.

And thanks to their work, the college hasbeen able to deliver an immersive learning experience for our students, as well as showthousands of downtown visitors the type ofeducation available through ECC.”

Along with its current yield of tomatoes,cucumbers and broccoli, the garden featuresfull-grown swaths of thyme, tarragon, cabbage and kale. Visitors at the event wereable to sample fruits and vegetables from thegarden, as well as taste iced tea with freshlygrown lemon verbena and celebrate the garden’s first year of success with a ceremonial melon and vegetable carving.

ECC and Canalside team for downtown Learning Garden

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“We’ve been able to

deliver an immersive

learning experience for

our students, as well as

show thousands of

downtown visitors the

type of education avail-

able through ECC.”

– ECC President

Jack Quinn

ECC and Canalside team for downtown Learning Garden

This fall, Erie Community College will welcomea kaleidoscopic cohort of new students, withbackgrounds as differentiated as Western NewYork’s annual snowflakes—and all eligible totake advantage of ample scholarship aid.

Bangladesh-bornWahida Dipa is one ofthese incoming fresh-men, and her entranceinto the college’s Nursing Program willbe assisted by ECC’sCommitment to Excellence scholarship,a two-year award thatcovers the complete

cost of attendance (and includes an additionalstipend for books) for students who exhibit excellence both in and out of the classroom.The valedictorian of her Class of 2015 at the

International Preparatory School at Grover andformer intern at Buffalo General Hospital, Dipais entering ECC to both excel inside one of Western New York’s best career-focused trainingprograms and to advance into a field she’s passionate about.

“I want to be a nurse because I have alwaysbeen interested in the medical field, and I want acareer that allows me to influence other people ina good way,” wrote Dipa in her scholarship application essay. “In nursing, I can even savelives. I love helping people. It’s the most gratifying thing in the world, and nursing willallow me to do this on a daily basis.”

During the last five years, the ECC Foundationhas awarded more than 750 scholarships totalingalmost $1.1 million to students like Dipa lookingto start, re-start or redirect their education.ECC’s minimum scholarship award is $500, andmore than 25 percent of the college’s studentscholars have received multiple scholarships.

And although these students’ studies, careerpursuits and family backgrounds are quite varied,one constant remains: ECC scholarship opportu-nities help students avoid rising costs and debt,all while proceeding toward a promising future.

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A fter finishing their 2014 campaign 2-7, ECC footballspent the offseason making a

series of major changes, whether with arenamed home field at Orchard Park’sWest Herr Stadium, brand new SouthCampus locker rooms or the program’s

biggest addition, a new head coach in former University at Buffalo assistantScott Pilkey.But through offseason recruitment—

highlighted by two on-campus signingevents that welcomed a fleet of local talentto this year’s Kats fray—ECC is ready tochart a new course for their football future when they start away againstBrockport’s JV squad on September 14.“It’s always a great day when we can

welcome new student athletes to our college community,” reiterated Quinn.“These young men will certainly add tothat community, and we’re ecstatic thatthey’ve decided to join our team.”Top-flight talent on this year’s team hails

from all corners of Western New York,whether a large contingent from the Buffalo Public School system via Burgardand South Park, or top performers fromnearby programs at Amherst, Depew, International Prep, Kenmore East, SweetHome, Williamsville East, andWilliamsville South high schools. 16 ofthis year’s incoming players also competedin July’s venerable Kensington All-StarGame, providing an on-the-field indication of the level of performance tobe expected this season.“This is a great opportunity for these

young men, and even greater opportunityfor our college,” said ECC President JackQuinn. “To have the chance to train andeducate players who previously starred inour backyard is a thrill, and I can’t waitfor the season to get started.”

Foundationscholarship assistsnursing studentand others

ECC Hockey Championship Recognition Day Saturday, October 31, 2015 1 p.m., HARBORCENTERA celebration of the 2011 and 2015 NJCAAhockey championship teams and 40th year ofECC hockey

1 to 2 p.m.: Open Skate for ECC students, alumni, staff and friends, Rink 1

1 to 3 p.m.: Reception, Rink 12:45 p.m.: Pregame Ceremonies

3 p.m.: Hockey Game - ECC Kats vs. Broome Community College Hornets

Information: Jerebko@ecc.edu or 851-1221

Successful offseason recruitment hasKats football ready to roll

ECC Hall of Fame Induction: Antwon Burton Saturday, October 10, 2015Homecoming Football Game: ECC Kats vs. Dupage Chaparrals 12 p.m. Kickoff West Herr Stadium, South Campus

Induction CeremonySaturday, October 103:30 to 6 p.m., South Campus cafeteria Information: Ernewein@ecc.edu or 851-1748

Wahida Dipa

Interested in pursuing a scholarship? Website: www.ecc.edu/scholarships Address: City Campus, room 110 Phone: 716-851-1990Email: scholarship@ecc.edu

Antwon Burton ‘02 (far right) along with ECC teammates and coaching staff

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Earlier this summer, the National Alliance ofConcurrent Enrollment Partnerships(NACEP) announced national accreditation toconcurrent enrollment programs offered byErie Community College’s Advanced StudiesProgram to provide college credit-bearingcourses to high school students taught by college-approved high school teachers.“ECC’s Advanced Studies college courses

taught by approved adjunct high school teachers are as rigorous as the SUNY coursesoffered on the college campus,” said DeborahSchmitt, coordinator of Advanced Studies andFour-Year Articulations at ECC. “The highschool adjuncts follow the college syllabus andattend professional development activities tostay current in their field. NACEP helps theseprograms adhere to the highest standards so students experience a seamlesstransition to college and teachers benefit frommeaningful, ongoing professional development.”As the only national set of quality standards

applicable to concurrent enrollment partner-ships, NACEP’s standards serve as the modelcriteria for ensuring that the course contentand expectations for student work in highschools match the standards of the sponsoringcollege or university. ECC—known locally andpreviously recognized for its college credit-bearing courses for Western New York highschool students—earned reaccreditation alongwith 11 other national colleges and universities, including Indiana’s Ball State University, Missouri’s St. Louis University andNew York’s Corning Community College.To earn accreditation from NACEP,

concurrent enrollment programs conduct aself-study, document how their programs adhere to NACEP’s seventeen standards, and undergo a rigorous peer-review processconducted by reviewers from NACEPaccredited programs. NACEP’s standardswere developed and refined over many years,serve as a model for quality standards in sixteen states, and are implemented by a widerange of higher education institutions.The NACEP Accreditation Commission

manages NACEP’s accreditation process, reviews Peer Review Team reports and makesaccreditation decisions.

Alumni Spotlight Carl Stokes '01ECC earns reaccreditation ofAdvanced StudiesConcurrent Enrollment Program

Distinguished Alumni nominations soughtfor 2016 Celebrate ECCThe ECC Foundation is accepting nominations for this year’s Distinguished AlumniAwards, to be presented at Celebrate ECC on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at the City CampusAtrium. The Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented annually to ECC graduateswho have achieved success in their chosen careers and have made significant contributionsto the community. For more information or to submit a nomination, please contact theAlumni Office at 716-851-1999 or alumni@ecc.edu or visit www.ecc-foundation.com.

Savings earned after one year at ECCVersus a public four-year college: $4,544Versus a private four-year college: $26,636 *Information from College Board’s Trends in Pricing, 2014-15

A fter graduating from ECC in2001 with an A.A. in LiberalArts – Humanities and Social

Science, Carl Stokes started working withdisadvantaged youth at Baker Victory Services in nearby Lackawanna.

It was there that Stokesprovided guidance to youngpeople of various back-grounds, disabilities and diagnoses, and eventuallyearned the Residential Treatment Facility Employeeof the Year award in 2006.The next year, he decided toexpand his work in humanservices with a position insupported employment at Heritage Centers (NYSARC – Erie). While assisting individuals with disabilities in developing work skills and finding jobs inthe community, Stokes continued hisECC education at Buffalo State College,and graduated with a Bachelor of Sciencein Sociology (2009). Along the way, hewas honored as the recipient of the David

Vernon Bullough Memorial Award &Scholarship for Outstanding MinorityStudent, earned for his expansive paperentitled, “From the Stoop to the Big BackYard (A Young Black Man’s Journey from

the Inner City to the Sub-urbs),” which he presented atthe NYS Sociological Association conference at St.John Fisher College that year.

While working his way up tomanagement at Heritage Centers, Carl continued his education further, eventuallyearning a Master’s in SocialWork from SUNY at Buffalo in2013 before being certified as a

licensed New York State social worker thenext year. In addition to his current position as team leader of youth servicesof the L.I.F.E. Program for Heritage Centers, Stokes is now an assistant professor in the Social Science Department at ECC City and NorthCampus, and was honored as a memberof ECC’s Distinguished Alumni in 2015.

O n behalf of the students, facultyand staff of Erie

Community College, Iwould like to thank you forreading about some of ourrecent achievements. Sincearriving at this venerable institution in 2008, I’ve beenconsistently amazed at notonly the good news we’vebeen able to share, but alsoat the focused educational

and professional opportunities we’re able to provide forincoming students, year after year. We offer more than 100 degree and certificate programs

in the areas of Business and Public Service, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts and Engineering and Technologies,designed by an award-winning faculty with the purpose ofadvancing students forward. Our three-campus collegeprovides an accommodating environment, and is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top associate degree producers—as well as the number one choice ofWestern New York high school students and veterans.According to the U.S. Department of Education’s

College Affordability and Transparency Center, our college’s average net price is the lowest in New York.Students can enter ECC, endure through their first college classes, then continue toward a one-year certificate, two-year degree or utilize our comprehensivetransfer agreements with a litany of colleges or universities—all while saving on tuition costs. Howmuch can a student save by attending ECC? Look up thetuition cost of your local public and private universities.Compare these totals with the cost of a year at our college—taking the same classes offered at a traditionalfour-year—and you’ll see why an ECC education makessense. Do these savings come at the expense of opportunity?

Absolutely not. Aside from our associate degree-relatedsuccesses, the college boasts more than 25 one-year certificate programs, all crafted to train students for sustainable professions in the region. And, when it comesto connections, the college currently boasts more than 300partnerships with area businesses like Delaware North,Moog and M&T Bank, all knowledgeable of ECC’s career-focused curriculum.I, along with every member of our college community,

am dedicated to continuing this momentum of goodnews. Until next semester, stay tuned for more excitingdetails for students interested in starting, restarting orredirecting their academic journey at Erie Community College.

Sincerely,

Jack Quinn,President of Erie Community College

(716) 851-1ECC www.ecc.edu

City Campus121 Ellicott Street Buffalo, NY 14203

North Campus6205 Main Street Williamsville, NY 14221

South Campus4041 Southwestern blvd.Orchard Park, NY 14127

ERIE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ECC Today is produced by the ECC Public Relations Department. Please contact their office at 716-851-1866 with questions, comments or submissions.