Edgecombe Community College: A Comprehensive Overview

Edgecombe Community College (ECC) is a public community college located in Tarboro, North Carolina, playing a vital role in the educational and economic landscape of the region. Serving approximately 5,500 individuals annually through its various programs, ECC offers a wide array of opportunities for students seeking two-year degrees, diplomas, certificates, and continuing education.

History and Evolution

Edgecombe Community College's journey began as an extension unit of Wilson County Technical Institute in 1967. In August 1968, the new school welcomed its first cohort of students. A significant turning point arrived in 1987 when the institution was officially renamed Edgecombe Community College, marking a new era of growth and expanded services. Further solidifying its commitment to innovation, ECC inaugurated a state-of-the-art 45,000 sq ft Biotechnology and Medical Simulation Center on its Rocky Mount campus in January 2016.

Campus and Location

The college has campuses in Tarboro and Rocky Mount and classes online, ECC is located in the eastern part of North Carolina in Edgecombe County, approximately 75 miles east of Raleigh. Edgecombe Community College operates on two campuses. The main campus, spanning 120 acres, is situated 2.5 miles south of Tarboro and consists of 12 buildings. Additionally, a campus is located in the Edgecombe County portion of Rocky Mount, encompassing one city block and comprising three buildings. In January 2020, the new Barnhill-Jenkins Center for Innovation on the Tarboro campus opened for classes. The county is rural with a majority of the land used for farming.

Academics and Programs

ECC utilizes a semester-based academic year and maintains a student-faculty ratio of 11-to-1, fostering a conducive learning environment. The highest degree offered at Edgecombe Community College is an associate degree. Students have the opportunity to earn degrees and certificates in 37 different fields. Popular programs include: Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.

Edgecombe Community College became the first community college in the state to establish an articulation agreement with the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM). Through this agreement, select classes successfully completed through the NCSSM Connect program transfer to ECC.

Read also: About Grossmont Community College

Admissions and Enrollment

The school has an open admissions policy. For the Fall 2023 admissions cycle, the total number of entering students was 318. The student body is 75% Female, 25% male with over 2000 students. 55% come from out of the county.

Admission for Undocumented Immigrants

Edgecombe Community College has specific policies regarding the admission of undocumented immigrants. To be eligible, an undocumented immigrant must have attended or graduated from a United States high school, private high school, or home school that operates in compliance with State or local law. Furthermore, an undocumented immigrant with a diploma from an Adult High School located in the United States that operates in compliance with State or local law is also eligible for admission.

It is important to note that all undocumented immigrants are admitted as out-of-state students for tuition purposes, regardless of their residency status in North Carolina. Additionally, undocumented immigrant students are not eligible for federal aid.

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

For the academic year 2020-2021, the in-state tuition and fees were $2,640, while out-of-state tuition and fees amounted to $8,784. There is no application fee.

Paying for School

At Edgecombe Community College, 90 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid and the average scholarship or grant award is $3,036.

In-state tuition and fees $2,640Out-of-state tuition and fees $8,784Books and supplies $2,250

Student Life

Edgecombe Community College offers a variety of services and resources to support its students. These include:

Employment services for students
Academic/career counseling service
Placement services for completers

Achievements and Recognition

Edgecombe Community College has garnered recognition for its commitment to excellence and innovation. Some notable achievements include:

SkillsUSA Competition: Edgecombe Community College students brought home 11 awards, including five gold medals, from the SkillsUSA state competition held April 2024 in Greensboro. In the National Leadership and Skills Conference held June 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia, ECC SkillsUSA competitors won a silver medal and two bronze medals.
UNC Health Nash Nurse Scholars Program: Seven ECC nursing students were accepted into the UNC Health Nash Nurse Scholars Program, which funds the cost of each student’s education, tuition, and books.
Student Travel: Edgecombe Community College student, Christopher Lacy, traveled to the Dominican Republic November 2024 thanks to the efforts of ECC’s program chair for Surgical Technology, Suzi Shippen-Wagner.
Financial Support: The Edgecombe Community College Foundation received a $1 million gift, the largest donation in its 42-year history. The E. Norris Tolson Endowed Scholarship was established at Edgecombe Community College. The Edgecombe Community College Foundation’s 38th Annual Golf Tournament raised approximately $50,000 to support student scholarships and operations of the foundation.

Community Impact

Through a wide selection of programs and courses, ECC seeks to improve both the quality of life and the economic outlook of its students and area residents. With classes in subjects from small business management to electrical blueprints, ECC is equipping its students with practical skills that enable them to excel in their careers, homes, and communities. With ECC’s flexible scheduling, the success that comes with higher education is a little easier to achieve.

ECC is one of the 58 colleges that make up the North Carolina Community College System. The System was approved by the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1963 and is provided for in the General Statutes of North Carolina, Chapter 115-A.

Capital Improvements

There were a number of capital improvements on ECC’s campus in 2024.

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