ECC Announces New Director of College and Career Readiness

LaShawnda Washington is the new director of the Division of College and Career Readiness at Edgecombe Community College.

A local leader in education has been tapped to lead the Division of College and Career Readiness (CCR) at Edgecombe Community College.

LaShawnda Washington, who has worked at ECC since 2006, also is a member of the Nash County Public Schools Board.

She has served College and Career Readiness students in a variety of capacities, including as a distance learning instructor, English as a Second Language instructor, and coordinator of Basic Skills Plus.

College and Career Readiness assists adults who have not completed high school. Students work at their own pace through online modules to complete their high school credential. About 800 students are served annually through CCR programs.

Typically, in-person classes are held on the Tarboro and Rocky Mount campuses as well as at various sites throughout Edgecombe County. Due to the ongoing pandemic, however, the only site offering in-person instruction this fall is OIC in Rocky Mount.

“College and Career Readiness is essential to a skilled workforce,” Washington says. “With new industries moving into Edgecombe County, we need to have enough skilled workers to support these employers.

“Another issue for our area is that low levels of literacy can be generational. It seems to be a pattern here. We see grandparents, their sons and daughters, and then their sons and daughters. It’s time to rise above that and support all individuals who want to earn their high school equivalency.”

Beyond helping those students seeking a high school credential, CCR staff members serve English language learners.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a new group of learners: parents who are struggling to help their children complete school work online.

“We are here for those parents who need a refresher in writing, math, social studies, and science. That is especially important now that most children are learning in an online environment,” Washington explains.

The pandemic also has led to an increase in displaced workers seeking a high school equivalency credential, she says.

“These individuals might have started their job 20 years ago, and now either the company has had layoffs due to the pandemic, or the company is requiring credentials. We’re seeing a lot of displaced workers.”

With each student, CCR works to integrate career skills and promote pathways to secondary education while students work toward a high school equivalency.

Washington’s future goals include developing “more instructional sites and partnerships throughout the community to really grow the program.” CCR currently partners with NCWorks and Tri-County Industries to serve their clients.

The division also is partnering with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina to give away 500 free boxes of food to area residents on Friday, September 4.

The free food distribution event will take place on the College’s Rocky Mount and Tarboro campuses simultaneously from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Two hundred and fifty boxes will be distributed on each campus.

“The drive is open to everyone,” Washington assures. “It’s an event for the community. We won’t turn anyone away, as long as supplies last.”

This philosophy of serving the whole community applies to all of the programs delivered through her division: They are open to everyone.

To learn how the Division of College and Career Readiness can help you achieve your goals, please contact washingtonl@edgecombe.edu.