Counseling Services
The Department of Student Services strives to make its services available to every student, from pre-admission through graduation. The pre-admission interview is designed to help the student determine what curriculum program or programs he or she is best suited to enter. This process involves evaluation of the high school transcript along with the student’s needs, interests, and abilities.
Any student may see a counselor on an individual basis to discuss personal, academic, vocational, educational, and financial needs. Student access to a counselor is determined by student-initiated or counselor-initiated appointment or by instructor or advisor referrals.
Specialized counseling for handicapped students is available in cooperation with Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Social Services, Veterans Administration, and other agencies. The degree of disability and the educational potential of the student determines the extent of training and placement. The Student Support Counselor will assist students with connecting to these additional services.
Academic counseling is available to students who have deficiencies in reading, writing, listening, computing, and study skills.
All counselors complete an evaluation of new students prior to registration each semester to assist in further academic guidance. Counselors may maintain academic records for advisees. Faculty members also are available for consultation.
Early Alert Program
Find Help
The North Carolina Community College System office seeks to connect students with the assistance they may need to meet their most basic needs outside of the classroom in order to succeed inside the classroom. Using specially designed software, Find Help provides provides access to appropriate programs and services for food, shelter, health care, work, financial assistance, and more.
Meeting these needs enables the student to focus on being the best student he or she can be. Grades will improve and the number of students who drop out in order to find ways to meet their basic needs will decrease. Find Help is an aid in helping students “Start. Stay. Finish.” Edgecombe Community College aims to assist students empower themselves by receiving an education, preparing for their careers, and becoming successful in the workforce, thus raising their standard of living.
Access to Find Help services are FREE for Edgecombe Community College students. Once you enter your zip code, you will be directed to a list of resources within your area.
If you need assistance with navigating the Find Help site or locating on-campus resources, contact studentservices@edgecombe.edu.
Starfish System
The College recognizes that most student problems can be successfully treated provided they are recognized early and referral is made to an appropriate resource. This applies to problems of personal relationships, physical illness, mental or emotional illness, finances, marital or family discord, alcoholism, drug abuse, legal issues, or other concerns. When a student’s academic performance or attendance is unsatisfactory and the student is unable or unwilling to correct the situation, either alone or with normal advisory assistance, there may be a cause outside the realm of his or her academic studies. The purpose of the Starfish Early Alert System is to assure that if such personal problems are the cause of unsatisfactory academic performance, students will receive careful consideration and an offer of assistance to help resolve such problems in an effective and confidential manner. If concerns of this nature arise, faculty are advised to submit an early alert by raising the appropriate flag in the Starfish system. Students may also raise flags in the Early Alert System when in need of support services.
Food Pantry
Food insecurity has become a serious problem. To continue ECC’s endeavor to help students “Start. Stay. Finish.” Student Services created a food pantry for students to access meals when their work schedules, transportation deficits or financial shortfalls might otherwise prevent them from eating. The purpose of the food pantry on both campuses is to provide small meals to students to improve academic success. To access the pantry, students should sign in to Student Services and ask to see a counselor.
Student Assistance Program (E-SAP)
The College recognizes that most student problems can be successfully treated provided they are recognized early and referral is made to an appropriate resource. This applies to problems of personal relationships, physical illness, mental or emotional illness, finances, marital or family discord, alcoholism, drug abuse, legal issues, or other concerns. When a student’s academic performance or attendance is unsatisfactory and the student is unable to correct the situation, either alone or with normal advisory assistance, there may be a cause outside the realm of his or her academic studies. The purpose of Edgecombe’s Student Assistance Program (E-SAP) is to assure that if such personal problems are the cause of unsatisfactory academic performance, students have free, confidential access to short-term, resolution-based therapy and work-life resources. Your student assistance program aids to resolve such problems in an effective and confidential manner. If concerns of this nature arise, faculty are advised to submit an early alert report by “raising a flag” in Starfish.
Students with Disabilities
The College recognizes its responsibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to provide equal access to education for students with disabilities. Support services are available to the hearing impaired, visually impaired, orthopedically handicapped, learning disabled, and other health impaired. A student who is in special need should contact Student Services. Documentation of a disability must be on file with the College before accommodations can be provided.
Substance Abuse Program
ECC has a referral agreement for substance abusers with EastPointe Behavioral Healthcare Center. Any such referrals will be made with confidentiality being preserved by all parties. Faculty or staff members with these concerns for students may raise a flag in the Starfish Early Alert System.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Students at Edgecombe Community College are covered by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in all programs, activities, and services of public entities. The law does not require College programs to modify eligibility criteria to accommodate disabilities if that modification would fundamentally alter the standards of the program. Likewise, if a modification would fundamentally alter the nature of a service or activity, the College is not required to make that modification.
Hardships
Student hardships include transportation problems, attendance issues, and appealing drops due to attendance, crises, and small financial hardships.
For assistance with any of these or any hardships, please contact the Student Support Counselor in Student Services who can determine if we have resources here on campus to assist you as well as connect you to Find Help. Find Help is the North Carolina’s Community College System’s referral platform for social services that exist to connect all people in need and the programs that serve them (with dignity and ease). This platform makes it easy for people facing social needs—and those who help others—to find and make referrals to appropriate programs and services for food, shelter, health care, work, financial assistance, and more.
Please feel free to contact the counselors listed below if you have further questions or concerns. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response.
Counselors
| Counselor | Contact Information | Areas of Specialty |
| Domonique Hall | Office 117, Student Services, Barnes Building, Rocky Mount Campus (252) 618-6700 halld@edgecombe.edu |
Radiography, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Technology, CT/MRI, and general information |
| Teresa Bottoms Student Services Counselor |
Office 172, Student Services, McIntyre Building, Tarboro Campus (252) 618-6527 bottomst@edgecombe.edu |
Student Support Services, Health Information Technology, Ambassadors, and general information |
| Courtney Baggett | Office 118, Student Services, Barnes Building, Rocky Mount Campus (252) 618-6705 baggettc@edgecombe.edu |
Nursing, Medical Assisting and general information |