It was a surreal moment for Dr. Greg McLeod, Edgecombe Community College President. What was initially a trip to attend an American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) commission meeting in Washington, DC, turned into a wonderful, additional opportunity to visit the White House for the Classroom to Career Summit.

“I received the White House invitation just prior to my trip to Washington, DC and thought the timing was great since I was already going to be there for my commission meeting,” recalls McLeod.

According to its website, the AACC “is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents more than 1,000 two-year, associate degree-granting institutions and nearly 12 million students.”

ECC faculty and staff toured Astemo (formerly known as Hitachi Astemo) in Tarboro on Thursday, Nov. 14. Participants had the opportunity to learn what Astemo offers and how manufacturing has changed over the years. At the beginning of the tour, deputy site head Robert Bass asked attendees to say what comes to mind when the word manufacturing is mentioned. The word conjured up thoughts like dirty, dark, dismal, and assembly line for many. When asked the same question after the tour, those words changed to clean, bright, innovative, and technologically driven. Simply put, Bass says Astemo “makes the computers that run the cars.”

The tour provided an opportunity for faculty to learn about a facility that aligns with what they teach in the classroom. According to Bass, these tours allow their company to continue to be an integral part of this community.

The Edgecombe Community College Foundation will award scholarships to more than 80 students on Thursday, Dec. 12. Astemo Presents the ECC Foundation’s Scholarship Recognition Ceremony, will not only honor the students who have recently been awarded scholarships, but also the donors who have graciously given to their education.

The companies who have donated at a corporate level include Astemo, Bojangles/Tands, Inc. and Everette’s ProWash LLC.

Prepare for a successful start to the upcoming semester! Priority Registration is now through December 4. Classes start on January 7. New students should complete the application process. Current students should use Starfish to schedule an appointment with their advisor or contact the Academic Success Center. Don’t delay. Plan now for spring semester. For more information, contact successcenter@edgecombe.edu.

Samanthia Phillips, vice president of Student Services, spoke with 98.5 the Big Dawg and Power 95.5 about Get the Edge Enrollment Day. Visit our YouTube channel to learn more about the event, and how prospective students can benefit by participating.