The baseball and softball fields at Enterprise State Community College are receiving some upgrades for future players and fans to enjoy.

The $1.25 million project, which began in July, will include the installation of new bleachers, press boxes, backstops and netting for both sports. A new, code-compliant concession stand with restrooms will also be constructed in the complex, and irrigation and landscaping will be added to the area. The project is expected to be completed by mid-October.

“I am very excited for our coaches and players to see the new facilities at our baseball/softball fields,” Athletic Director Jeremaine Williams said. “These updates will help recruiting tremendously. This is big for the community to be able to come to a game and enjoy the college athletic atmosphere that ESCC will provide, and it shows the Wiregrass that we are serious about athletics. The future of our athletic department is going in the right direction, and it’s great to see that our administration is behind athletics.”

Head Softball Coach Clair Goodson echoed his statement, saying the upgraded facilities will increase community support and recruiting efforts for the College’s athletic department.

“I am excited about the direction this will continue to take our programs,” Goodson said. “Seeing these upgrades will help recruiting tremendously. The atmosphere around our games will just amplify and bring more and more of our community out to support our players. The College’s commitment to help us enhance our facilities is important to not only the athletes we have on campus now, but also to all future athletes we bring to ESCC. The future is bright, and I can’t wait to see it continue. I’m thankful for the administration’s support.”

The fields will also see the addition of a paved entrance and parking lots as part of the College’s partnership with the City of Enterprise to provide more recreation areas to the community. These additions will be completed at a later date.

The most recent addition to the softball and baseball fields was a hitting facility that was completed in 2021. This facility has lighted lanes for athletes to practice hitting and pitching. It also serves as a space for coaches to hold development camps for these sports.

“I am excited about the updates to the baseball/softball facilities,” Head Baseball Coach Samuel Frichter said. “Any time you have updates, it shows a commitment to the program from the administration, and for that, I am very thankful. With the direction that college athletics has gone with the primary focus on recruiting, this will help us with that process and allow us to bring in high-caliber student athletes. These updates will give our players a sense of pride in the program and continue to help our community rally around both sports.”

The Wiregrass Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) will hold two financial aid workshops for students who need assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Wiregrass EOC is a federally funded TRiO program aimed to assist students who dropped out of high school or never attended/didn’t complete post-secondary training and wish to return to school. The program serves students in Coffee, Dale, Geneva, and Houston counties and helps with FAFSA completion, the college admissions process, and more. The FAFSA is an application that connects students with federal financial aid to help them pay for school, such as through the Pell Grant.

The first EOC financial aid workshop will be held July 12 in the Enterprise State Community College Student Center Community Room from 1-3 p.m. The second will be held July 14 in the computer lab in the ATTC Building at the Alabama Aviation College from 1-3p.m.

Wiregrass EOC Director Jennifer Braden said the event is for first-time college students who haven’t completed their FAFSA or those students who plan to return to college who need assistance filling out the application. She said EOC will assist students who complete the application for any college.

“Completing the FAFSA can be a very daunting task,” EOC Director Jennifer Braden said. “One of the main purposes of our grant is to assist students in the completion of the FAFSA as well as helping them research other sources of money to assist them in the pursuit of their educational dreams.”

Students planning to attend college this fall will need to complete the 2022-23 FAFSA. Students are encouraged to bring a copy of their 2020 income tax forms to help with the completion of the application.

If a student is under the age of 24, he or she may be considered a dependent student for Financial Aid purposes, unless he or she is or was in the military, has a spouse, has dependents for whom they provide more than 50% of their support, or was in foster care while over the age of 13.

If a student is considered dependent, he or she will need to provide their parents’ 2020 tax information to complete the FAFSA, and one parent will have to sign the FAFSA with the student.

“EOC personnel have helped many students complete the FAFSA,” Braden said. “We don’t ever want the completion of a FAFSA to be something that deters a student from attending school.”

Students are not required but are encouraged to RSVP to this event by completing the form at https://bit.ly/3ABVtwD or by scanning the QR code on the flyer. For more information about the event or about the Wiregrass EOC, students can call (334) 406-0495 or visit escc.edu/eoc.

During its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 8, the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees approved Danny Long as the sixth president of Enterprise State Community College. Long has served as Acting President of the College since March.

“The Wiregrass community is a special part of Alabama that has a significant role in the state’s workforce, which is why a skilled career technical leader like Danny with a heart for the community and for education makes perfect sense,” said Jimmy H. Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS).

“Danny knows the College, the communities it serves, K-12 and industry, and he knows what it takes to continue our mission of making education available for everyone.”

Long has nearly 30 years of K-12 and higher education experience. Prior to his appointment as Acting President at Enterprise State, Long had served as Dean of Instruction at the College since 2017 and as Vice President since 2020. His collaborative efforts with business and industry helped to develop and implement new instructional programs at the College, including Advanced Composites (AAS), Mechatronics (AAS), a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program, Digital Multimedia (AAS), EMS (AAS), Medical Assisting Technology (AAS), Basic Industrial Electronics (STC), Basic Industrial Mechanics (STC), CNC Operator/Programmer (STC), Licensed Practical Nursing Program (LPN), and Auditing and Assurance (AAS). Long worked alongside the President to oversee major improvement and construction projects on both campuses at both Enterprise State and the Alabama Aviation College.

A Sarasota, Florida, native, Long began his career in education at Vivian B. Adams School in Ozark, where he served as both a special education teacher and assistant director. He then served at Enterprise High School, where he was a teacher, coordinator, career technical education director and assistant principal.

Long is an alum of Troy University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Education, Master’s in Special Education, Master’s in Education Leadership, and an Educational Special Degree in Educational Leadership.

Enterprise State is nestled in the southeastern region of the state with around 2,300 students across its campus in Enterprise and at the Alabama Aviation College in Ozark. The college offers several workforce development opportunities for students pursuing a certification or degree to work in several high-demand, high-wage job opportunities. The college’s robust student services provide many resources – from tutoring to career exploration – for students and residents alike.

“Enterprise State and the Alabama Aviation College are where we are because of the strong investment of faculty, staff, community, K-12 and business and industry partners who give us insight on what they need and trust our willingness to be there when they need us,” Long said.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to lead several innovative efforts in programs that matter to our region and our state, and I’m appreciative for the confidence our community college system and our community has in Enterprise continuing to rise together.”

On Monday, April 25, the public is invited to join Enterprise State Community College’s Fine Arts Division for its Spring Student Arts Exhibit and Concert, “Celebrating Together Through Art and Music,” which will showcase student artwork and musical/instrumental talents.

“During this time of fear and uncertainties, I felt the need for the community to come together and celebrate our students and their accomplishments,” Dr. Ken Thomas, Fine Arts Division Chair and Choir Director said. “We are all impacted in some way by the arts, so we will celebrate the arts with this event, both visual and performing arts. There will be something for everyone. The best part for me will be when we all join to sing two of my favorite hymn tunes.”

The Student Arts Exhibit will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Forrester Hall. Student artwork covering a variety of art media, including mixed media and photography, will decorate the halls of ESCC’s “Home of the Fine Arts” for visitors to see.

ESCC Art Instructor Leslie Gibson’s Drawing I students are one group whose work will be showcased during the event.

“The students in Drawing I this semester have really been impressive as a group in their willingness to take on the methods, materials, and concepts that are taught,” Gibson said. “The work that has been produced is exciting in its collective excellence. I look forward to sharing their efforts with their respective families and the community.”

The spring concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room.  This year, the concert will feature performances by the ESCC Community/Concert Choir, the ESCC Instrumental Ensemble as well as small group performances by students and faculty. The choir’s repertoire of hymns and spirituals will include, “Down to the River to Pray,” “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” “Be Thou My Vision,” “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” “Old Time Religion,” “Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” and “Loves Divine, All Loves Excelling.”

“When asked of my students if they noticed a theme in the music selections, they replied, ‘Love,’” Thomas said. “Now, more than ever, we should share the love we have.”

Starting this fall, Enterprise State Community College students will have the opportunity to rent textbooks through the on-campus bookstore.

“College employees have worked diligently to find a more affordable way for students to acquire textbooks for their classes,” ESCC’s Acting President Danny Long said. “Studies show that students are less likely to purchase textbooks when they are priced too high, which impacts student success in the classroom. Our new rental program, known as the ALL-IN Textbook Rental Program, will be more affordable than purchasing textbooks separately as students have done in the past.”

The new ALL-IN Textbook Rental Program will start Fall 2022. When program participants register for fall classes, the textbook fee will be automatically applied to their account.

The ALL-IN Program fee is $25 per credit hour, which allows students to receive a significant savings. This is not an increase in tuition, but it’s just a more affordable way to purchase textbooks.

Presently, textbooks for some classes are priced significantly higher than textbooks for other classes; this new program will level pricing for all textbooks. While the average textbook cost at ESCC is currently $132, the cost of one three credit hour course under the rental program is only $75.  Additionally, students receive a significant savings compared to the national average (47%). The average cost for a full-time college student at a public two-year institution is $1,420 per year as compared to $750 through the rental program.

Another advantage of the ALL-IN Program is that it allows students the opportunity to receive textbooks on or before the first day of class by choosing to either pick up their items in the bookstore or request that they be shipped directly to them.

All classes will be included in the new program, except Aviation Maintenance Technology, Avionics, Mechatronics, and specific academic classes that do not require a book. All required course material will be covered in the ALL-IN fee, except specialty kits.

Students are not required to participate in the program, so there is an option for students to opt-out of this program if they do not feel it will benefit them. However, students are urged to remain in the program for the financial benefit they will receive. If a student chooses to opt-out, this must be done prior to any tuition payments being made or financial aid disbursements being processed to a student’s account.

Questions regarding the program can be directed to Lewie Thompson at lthompson@escc.edu.

A partnership between M1 Support Services L.P. (M1) and Enterprise State Community College offers dual benefits through employment opportunities and unique training experiences.

“At Enterprise State, we strive to connect our students with career opportunities after they complete their degree or training with us,” ESCC’s Director of Workforce Development Leigh Shiver said. “We’re also dedicated to helping address workforce needs with our career and technical programs. M1 is a local leader in the aviation industry who has shown great support to our College and programs over the years, so we are honored to have this partnership with the company that allows us to do both.”

As a leader in the industry, M1 has provided insight into needed curriculum and training changes for aviation maintenance mechanics and avionics technician programs at the Alabama Aviation College, a unit of Enterprise State, through the company’s participation on the College’s Aviation Advisory Committee.

Additionally, M1 has donated training materials to the College for students to use as part of their technical training. In December 2021, M1, in collaboration with Fort Rucker and the Aviation Center Logistics Command, donated a TH-67 helicopter to AAC, which has been used for several classes in both the AMT and avionics programs. More classes are expected to use the training helicopter as part of the class curriculum.

“M1 worked with Fort Rucker’s Aviation Center Logistics Command (ACLC) to provide training aids; no longer in use by the military, but of benefit to training airframe mechanics and avionics technicians at the Alabama Aviation College,” Production Control Supervisor Todd Stephens said. “Recently, ACLC leadership approved M1 to take possession of a ‘cut-away’ TH-67 aircraft trainer. M1 coordinated delivery of the training aid to the Alabama Aviation College. The aircraft trainer benefits future M1 apprentices and demonstrates M1’s commitment to education and employment opportunities for the Wiregrass community.”

ESCC also provides support to M1 through the partnership. The College offers several training opportunities to current M1 employees to allow them to further their current skill set. ESCC offers a Precision Measurement class, a Principles of Troubleshooting class and a Leadership class for M1 employees.

“Through these certification programs, we’re able to help current M1 employees upskill, and we’re thankful to work with M1 to provide these training opportunities to their employees,” Shiver said.

“M1 is proud to have developed an industry/education partnership with ESCC,” Senior Director of Business Operations Brian Mueller said. “M1 conducted a skills needs assessment and with the assistance of the College, developed technical and leadership training relevant to Fort Rucker mission success.”

The two institutions also work together to help recruit future aviation maintenance workers through joint representation at career fairs and other recruitment events to connect with traditional and non-traditional students and share how the Alabama Aviation College’s programs can lead to high-wage, high demand careers locally in just two years.

These recruitment efforts also reach younger students as well. Most recently, M1 and ESCC/AAC representatives joined forces to talk about aviation programs and training during the Southeast AlabamaWorks World of Works events in Andalusia and Dothan held March 1-2 and March 9-10, respectively. During the event, both institutions connected with eighth graders and high school juniors and highlighted the availability of local aviation maintenance jobs. The event showcased the dual enrollment opportunities available to students who wished to begin training while in high school, allowing them to have access to jobs earlier and creating a workforce pipeline for the local aviation industry that starts at the high school level.

“Developing a pipeline of new talent reinforces M1’s workforce capabilities by attracting the best and brightest from the Wiregrass community,” Mueller said. “ESCC partners with M1 to prepare that talent for the many challenging and diverse careers at M1 (Fort Rucker).”

Through the workforce pipeline, M1 has access to highly trained students who are completing their degrees and technical training at AAC. Recently, M1 hired around 18 students in aviation maintenance and avionics technology to join their team.

“M1 is a people business,” M1 Vice President and General Manager Donald Galli said. “Developing Wiregrass talent is critical to satisfy our customer’s (Army Aviation) requirements. Technically proficient employees focused on delivering safe, reliable aircraft is M1’s competitive advantage.”

Cutline:

M1 Support Services and ESCC/AAC participated in the World of Works events in Dothan and Andalusia, working together to talk about the College’s aviation maintenance programs and the career pathways to M1. Pictured, left, is Kimari Jackson from Dothan Preparatory Academy. Pictured right, from back, are AAC AMT Instructor Greg Kent, ESCC Adult Education and Workforce Development Director Leigh Shiver and M1 Support Services Senior Director of Business Operations Brian Mueller.

Enterprise State Community College President Matt Rodgers has announced that he will enter retirement on May 1, 2022.

“Enterprise State Community College is a place where students can receive quality education and training that sets them up for success in life,” Rodgers said. “I’m proud to have served at this institution that offers these opportunities to our students and our community, and I know this College will continue to serve our community well.

“These past four and a half years, I have been privileged to work with the great faculty, staff and administration at Enterprise State. This is home, and it has been extra special to serve in place where I truly love the people. They gave me a chance to grow professionally, supported me and my family over the years, and have offered their best to our students. You are my family, and I thank you for all you have done and will do.”

Rodgers has over 28 years in education and has served at ESCC and the Alabama Aviation College, a unit of Enterprise State, since 2017 when he was selected the College’s fifth president by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees.

During his tenure as president, building renovations as well as facility and beautification projects were completed on both campuses, including several projects on the Ozark campus that were funded through a $2.5 million grant announced by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2018. Enrollment increased consistently for both campuses during his tenure, and scholarship funds increased to offer more financial aid opportunities to students. ESCC signed articulation agreements with several four-year institutions to provide more access to transfer opportunities and scholarships to ESCC students planning their next steps after completing their associate degrees, and more career and technical programs were added to the College’s offerings as part of its mission to provide students with more opportunities to further their education or train to enter the workforce.

“If a leader is someone who inspires passion and motivation in followers, then President Rodgers is the epitome of leadership,” ESCC’s Dean of Students Kassie Mathis said. “He is the type of leader that walks beside his employees, picks them up when they fall and gives them the encouragement they need to thrive. The progress the College has made over the last few years is a testament to his vision, purpose, tenacity and his natural ability to push others into greater heights. Although I will miss him greatly, I’m so happy to have had an opportunity to truly see what transformative leadership looks like, and I’m grateful to have found a friend in Matt Rodgers.”

Prior to joining the ESCC team, he served as principal of Enterprise High School. Rodgers started his career as an educator at Zion Chapel High School, where he served as a history teacher and coach for two years. He later moved to Andalusia High School where he served for 4 years as a teacher and coach. In 2001, Mr. Rodgers accepted a teaching and coaching position at Enterprise High School where he remained until 2007. He spent 4 years serving as an assistant principal at EHS.

As Rodgers moves closer to his retirement date, Danny Long is serving as acting president of Enterprise State. He took on the role on Wednesday, March 16.

Long has over 28 years in education. He has served ESCC as its Dean of Instruction since 2017, and he the additional title of vice president in 2020. Prior to joining the ESCC team, Long served as Director of Secondary Instruction for Enterprise City Schools. His career began in 1996 in Ozark where he served as a special education teacher, and since, he has served as a teacher and an assistant principal. He has also held several district level administration positions, including special education coordinator and career technical education director.

“It has been an honor and privilege to work along President Rodgers at Enterprise State Community College and Enterprise City Schools,” Long said. “Having the honor to serve with Matt in different capacities over the years has left a lasting impression on both me professionally and personally. I got to watch him pour his heart and soul into the faculty, staff and, most of all, the students he served over the years.

“President Rodgers always represented the best of public education and served as a mentor and friend to everyone he worked with.  I am excited that he will have this opportunity to pour that same energy and passion into his family in the future.  I will forever be indebted to him for his leadership and friendship.”

The ACCS Board of Trustees will hire a permanent replacement for the president’s position at a later date.

Cutline: Enterprise State Community College President Matthew Rodgers announced that he would be retiring from education on May 1.

Enterprise State Community College’s Kiya Buchanan was named the 2022 Homecoming queen on Thursday, Feb. 24, during the men’s basketball game against LBW Community College.

Buchanan is currently a freshman at ESCC, and she plans to transfer to Alabama State University to pursue a degree in education. Her goal is to teach third grade. Buchanan represented the Student Support Services Student Advisory Board during Homecoming festivities.

She was chosen by ESCC students to receive the crown out of 10 finalists who formed the Homecoming court. These finalists were Buchanan, sophomore Mary Beth Smith, representing the ESCC Ambassadors; freshman Alexis Lopez, representing ESCC’s Diamond Dolls; sophomore Madison Holley, representing ESCC’s Student Government Association (SGA); sophomore Eryn Johnson, representing ESCC’s Women’s Basketball Team; sophomore Ruby Garcia, representing ESCC’s SGA; sophomore Victoria Crawford, representing the Baptist Campus Ministries; sophomore Addie Killingsworth, representing ESCC’s Ambassadors; sophomore Paige Wiggins, representing the SSS Student Advisory Council; and freshman Kylie Curry, representing ESCC’s SGA.

The crowning of the Homecoming queen was the culmination of a week of activities that brought participants “Back to the 80s.”

On Monday, faculty and staff took part in the Lip Sync Battle held in the Student Center MPR. The winner of the battle was George Scott and Melissa Turner with their performance of “Whoomp! (There it is).”

On Tuesday, ESCC students showed off their artistic skills during the Sidewalk Decoration event held during break, and on Wednesday, ESCC students took on the College’s faculty during a fun 80s Trivia Challenge held on the Quad. ESCC’s faculty and staff won the challenge.

On Thursday, ESCC faculty, staff and students celebrated their Weevil Pride and showed their support to the men’s and women’s basketball teams who played against LBW Community College that night.

Cutline: ESCC crowned its 2022 Homecoming queen during the men’s basketball game on Friday, Feb. 24. Pictured, from left, are ESCC’s Dean of Instruction Danny Long, 2022 Homecoming Queen Kiya Buchanan and 2020 Homecoming Queen Sierra Crawford.

A new TRiO program housed at both Enterprise State Community College and the Alabama Aviation College is here to help adult learners who wish to pursue post-secondary education.

In 2021, the College received federal grant funding to implement the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) program, now led by Director Jennifer Braden, to help adult learners navigate the college admissions process and find their path toward a degree or career training. The program serves 850 participants in Coffee, Dale, Geneva and Houston Counties, and it is free to join.

“The Educational Opportunity Center is here to aid and support adults who need to complete their secondary education and/or who wish to pursue higher education,” Braden said. “While we are housed on ESCC’s campuses, we’re here to help any adult interested in going to any college, whether for a two-year degree or training certificate or a four-year degree. The EOC staff will work to ensure that all participants who want to pursue higher education understand the options available to them and have help in reaching their goals.”

The program will hold two open house events to allow community members and organizations to meet with staff and learn about all the services offered through EOC. The first event will be held Monday, Feb. 28, from 1-3 p.m. in Steagall Building on the AAC campus in Ozark. The second event will be held Tuesday, March 1, from 1-3 p.m. in the Student Center on the Enterprise campus.

“Education can change the trajectory of an individual’s, and their families’, life,” Braden said. “Whether they want to pursue a two- or four-year academic degree or if they want to train for in-demand jobs, we are here to help students move forward in their paths toward successful careers.”

An application must be completed to join the EOC program. The application and program services can be found at escc.edu/trio/educational-opportunity-center. For more information on the program, email trioeoc@escc.edu or call (334) 406-0495.

Cutline: EOC Director Jennifer Braden, left, assists Lora Thomas with her plan for postsecondary education.