ECC Assists Students Impacted by Hurricane

Jimmie Williams, a member of the Edgecombe Community College maintenance staff, replaces saturated ceiling tiles in the Cosmetic Arts Building on the Tarboro campus following Hurricane Florence. Storm damage to the College’s physical plant was minimal.

Before Hurricane Florence had completed her thrashing of Eastern North Carolina, Edgecombe Community College had reached out to students hit by the storm.

College leaders relied on lessons learned during previous storms, Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

“We have taken what we learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd and Hurricane Matthew, and this time we have a more organized, efficient process in place for students to reach out to us,” explains Michael Jordan, vice president of student services.

On Sunday, September 16, the College established a special email account for students experiencing challenges returning to classes because of hurricane-related issues. “Our students’ well-being is our primary concern,” says ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod. “We are committed to provide as much support as we can.”

Emails to assistance@edgecombe.edu were routed to Jordan and other Student Services administration.

“From the moment we set up and announced the address, we started receiving emails.” Jordan says. “I have personally responded to each one.”

Edgecombe Community College enrolls students from every county in Eastern North Carolina, including those hit hardest by Hurricane Florence, from Pender and Lenoir to Craven and Onslow. As of Friday, September 21, about thirty students had requested assistance from the College.

“We continue to receive emails, and instructors are informing us of student situations as well,” Jordan adds.

According to Jordan, “We had one student who had to evacuate Vanceboro. She went to Grifton, and was evacuated there, too. Another student lost his truck to the floodwaters.”

For those students who lost homes and other property from flooding, College staff have provided FEMA, Red Cross, and Salvation Army information and helped them navigate the process to request assistance.

Other students remain without power and are unable to complete their hybrid and online course work. According to Jordan, “All of our deans, instructors, and counselors are being flexible and are providing tremendous support and understanding to students.”

Several students who live on the coast are enrolled in the Health Information Technology (HIT) program, which is an online program. Nacole Everette, HIT program chair, began reaching out to her students before the storm came ashore.

“When we closed campus on Wednesday (September 12) at noon, I had already sent everyone an email,” Everette says. “I wanted them to know that we will be here to support them however we can, from extending assignments to making up clinicals. Whatever we need to do, we will make it work.”

Fortunately, the Tarboro and Rocky Mount campuses were minimally affected by Hurricane Florence. “We experienced a lot of tree-related debris on the ground and minor roof leaks in a number of buildings and rooms,” explains Dr. McLeod. “But these are very minor inconveniences compared to the devastating losses experienced by so many.”

Fayetteville Tech and Robeson community colleges remained closed on Friday, and classes were still canceled at Sampson Community College. Edgecombe Community College, along with many of the other NC community colleges, have reached out to them to offer aid.

“Considering the significant impact that several of our sister colleges experienced and are still experiencing, we have offered to help them in their recovery as much as we can,” Dr. McLeod assures.

“Edgecombe Community College is standing by prepared.”