ECC Explorers Return to Morehead City
Good Friday was an unforgettable experience for a group of Edgecombe Community College students who traveled with ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod and Selwyn Spence, ECC’s occupational extension programs administrator, to Morehead City and Atlantic Beach. Sixteen students spent their day off from classes to tour Carteret Community College and more.
Known collectively as the ECC Explorers, these students immersed themselves in hands-on learning about marine life, ecosystems and the latest research. They toured the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences’ Coastal Field Station and Carteret Community College’s aquaculture and boat building programs.
This trip marked the second time McLeod took a group of students to the Crystal Coast. The inaugural trip of the ECC Explorers also took place in Morehead City, and McLeod says the primary reason for returning remains the same—exposure.
“These experiences allow our students to explore places they may have never been, learn about careers and work that are important and impactful, and gain a stronger perspective on and appreciation for the great things they are learning in our classrooms,” McLeod said. “Imagine how impactful and empowering it can be to see the ocean in person for the first time, which is the case for some students.”
The ECC Explorers also visited Fort Macon and the NC Aquarium at Pine Knolls Shores as part of their trip. Lunch was provided, and a stop for souvenir shopping was included. A fall trip to a destination to be determined is in the works.