Chris Gray, Ph.D.
Founding President, Erie County Community College
We are just about halfway through the first eight-week spring session as I sit down to write on this February 29, Leap Day. Time is moving swiftly, and we’ve already turned our sights to recruitment for our mid-spring session, which begins on April 8. That may feel like a lot of time, but it’s not too early to start planning. That’s where we come in.
From its inception, EC3 has operated under different, student-centered principles. We’ve removed hurdles and done all that we can to help students get a running start once they’ve decided to become a members of the EC3 family. That first step can be the hardest, though, and this endeavor feels uncomfortable at best and terrifying to those unfamiliar with the college process. If that’s you, then fear not: we’ve got you! We’ll make the first step easier.
One of the best ways that I’ve found to get a feel for a place is to visit. Said visit doesn’t have to be formal or long, but it’s super helpful in making things feel real. I’ll use a personal example here: when I decided three years ago to apply to become EC3’s first president, I had never spent any significant time in this part of the country. That is, I knew a little about Erie, but I didn’t know Erie. To demystify things for myself, I took a trip out here to be in the space, explore, and get to know this place. I wanted to know Erie before I took such a big step. My visit included the expected tourist stops; Presque Isle, the Bicentennial Tower, and a hike on the bluffs. But I also visited local spots including Lavery Brewing, where I tried my first pepperoni ball! Through my interactions, I could see the hard-working, family-driven, salt-of-the-earth values of the people of Erie County and that convinced me to pursue this opportunity.
We offer visits to prospective EC3 students for this same reason: college can be hard to visualize to the uninitiated, and the unknown is scary. We want to extend an invitation to visit your new educational home. Just reach out, and we’ll schedule a time that fits your scheduling needs!
Visiting a prospective college in person offers unparalleled insights and benefits that simply cannot be replicated through virtual tours or online research. The human element, especially at EC3, is what makes this experience. While digital platforms provide valuable information about academic programs, campus facilities, and extracurricular activities, nothing compares to the firsthand experience of stepping foot onto our campus and immersing yourself in the warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Moreover, visiting a college in person enables prospective students to explore the campus facilities and resources. Speaking with faculty members, advisors, and staff during a campus visit provides valuable insights into the academic programs, support services, and opportunities available to students. We want you to see who we are and use that knowledge to inform your decision – it’s that important, and we want to support you in making it.
If you’ve been kicking around the idea of trying out EC3, there’s no time like the present. Sometime in the next few weeks, please make a plan to visit. We have an Open House on Wednesday, March 20th at 4pm and Instant Enrollment Day on Saturday, March 23rd at 11am. You can also schedule a visit here or contact us at (814) 413-7000 and select Admissions to set up a time. We know you’re out there, and we want you to know that we’re ready to make your educational dreams a reality.
Please, join us! Our community: your college.