Advising & Counseling

The Student Services Department endeavors to make its services available to every student, from pre-admission through graduation. The pre-admission interview is designed to help the student make a decision in terms of what curriculum program or programs he or she is best suited to enter. This involves evaluation of the high school transcript along with his or her needs, interests, and abilities.

Any student may see a counselor on an individual basis to discuss personal, academic, vocational, educational, and financial needs. Student access to a counselor is determined by student-initiated or counselor-initiated appointment or by instructor or advisor referrals.

Specialized counseling for handicapped students is available in cooperation with Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Social Services, Veterans Administration, and other agencies. The degree of disability and the educational potential of the counselee determines the extent of training and placement.

Academic counseling is available to students who have deficiencies in reading, writing, listening, computing and study skills.

All advisors receive graduation readiness reports for their advisees prior to registration each semester to assist in further academic guidance. Advisors maintain academic records for advisees. Faculty members also are available for consultation.

Student Assistance Program

1. Referral Service
   The College recognizes that most student problems can be successfully treated provided they are recognized in their early stages and referral is made to an appropriate resource. This applies whether the problem be one of personal relationships, physical illness, mental or emotional illness, finances, marital or family discord, alcoholism, drug abuse, legal problems, or other concerns. When a student’s academic performance or attendance is unsatisfactory, and the student is unable or unwilling to correct the situation, either alone or with normal advisory assistance, this is an indication that there may be some cause outside the realm of his or her academic studies which is the basis of his or her problem. The purpose of this policy is to assure that, if such personal problems are the cause of unsatisfactory academic performance, students will receive careful consideration and an offer of assistance to help resolve such problems in an effective and confidential manner.
2. Tutor Program
   The purpose of the Tutor Program is to assist students who are experiencing academic difficulties in a curriculum course. Tutors provide additional individualized instruction and support necessary to help students achieve academic success at the College. A student may request tutoring assistance for any curriculum course by contacting Student Services. There is no fee for tutoring services. The Tutor Program employs students and other qualified individuals to be tutors. A student may apply to be a tutor by contacting Student Services. Tutors provide assistance with study skills, test-taking skills, and class content.
3. Students with Disabilities
   The College recognizes its responsibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to provide equal access to education for students with disabilities. Support services are available to the hearing impaired, visually impaired, orthopedically handicapped, learning disabled, and other health impaired. A student who is in special need should contact Student Services. Documentation of a disability must be on file at the College before accomodations can be provided.
4. Curriculum Learning Center
   ECC offers academic support for students enrolled in curriculum courses who are having difficulty performing English or math skills that are essential to successful completion of these courses. Both the Tarboro and Rocky Mount campuses provide a Learning Center staffed by professional English and math tutors. The purpose of these centers is to provide assistance to those students who need periodic help in addition to in-class instruction or to those who need continuous help. Students must be referred to the Learning Center by an instructor: the instructor may initiate the referral or the student may request one. There is no fee for this service.
5. Success and Study Skills Study Skills
   (ACA 090) is a course designed to provide students with skills and techniques to enhance learning. Emphasis is placed upon mastering and applying the fundamental skills of learning. Topics covered include time management, note-taking, test taking, memory techniques, self-awareness, and personal goals. This course is for students who have been out of school for a number of years or who lack good study skills or techniques. This course is recommended for any student who places into English 075 or English 085.
6. Substance Abuse Program
   ECC has a referral agreement for substance abusers with the Edgecombe-Nash Mental Health Center. Any such referrals will be made with confidentiality being preserved by all parties.
7. Americans with Disabilities Act
   Students at Edgecombe Community College are covered by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in all programs, activities, and services of public entities. The law does not require College programs to modify eligibility criteria to accommodate disabilities if that modification would fundamentally alter the standards of the program. Likewise, if a modification would fundamentally alter the nature of a service or activity, the College is not required to make that modification.

Please feel free to email the counselors listed below if you have further questions or concerns. Please allow 24 - 48 hours for a response.

In Tarboro:

Ann Newbern
(252) 823-5166 ext. 263
newberna@edgecombe.cc.nc.us
Areas of specialty: Nursing and General Information

Ginny McLendon
(252) 823-5166 ext. 257
mclendong@edgecombe.edu
Areas of specialty: Veterans’ Affairs, Surgical Technology, and General Information

In Rocky Mount:

Lawrence Gulley
(252) 823-5166 ext. 332
gulleyl@edgecombe.edu
Areas of specialty: Respiratory Care, Radiography, and General Admission

Cathy Stephenson
(252) 823-5166 ext. 331
stephensonc@edgecombe.cc.nc.us
Areas of specialty: Special Services (ADA), Medical Assisting, medical Transcription, Health Information Technology, and General Information

If you are interested in program specifics or simply need some more information, please feel free to email ECC's counselors at the above addresses. Allow 24-48 hours for a response.

Tarboro:  (252) 823-5166 2009 W. Wilson St. Tarboro, NC 27886

Rocky Mount:  (252) 446-0436 225 Tarboro St. Rocky Mount, NC 27801