Two graduation ceremonies took place March 11 on the Tarboro campus of 91ӣ����Ƶ. Eight students in the college’s natural hair care program received their certifications, while four earned certifications in manicuring nail technology.

“Over the course of three months, our natural hair care and nail graduates have committed themselves to learning, practicing, and perfecting their craft,” said Georgina Bond, program chair for cosmetology. “They have not only mastered technique, but embraced the discipline, creativity and confidence required to thrive in this industry.”

Nail technology students receive instruction and practice in manicuring, nail building and pedicuring. Students in the natural hair care program have studied and practiced chemical-free hair styling.

“As they take this next step, they now prepare to sit for their state board exams, an important milestone on the path to becoming licensed professionals,” continued Bond. “With the knowledge they’ve gained and the dedication they’ve shown, they are well-equipped to succeed.”

The Spring 2026 graduates, pictured from l-r in the front row are: Mercedes Veltri (natural hair), Ashley Tyson (natural hair), Shaelah King (natural hair), Cynthia Noel (natural hair), Asia Alston (natural hair), Kanashia Arrington (natural hair) and Rhonda Ruffin (nail technology). Pictured in the back row are: Janiyah Slade (natural hair), Erica Shaw (natural hair), Treasure Cary (nail technology) and Akavia Leach (nail technology). Not pictured: Ambria Johnson (nail technology).

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(l-r) Eddie Stocks, Tarboro Rotary Club president, presents a check to Bernie Taylor, director of BLET, and ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod

Bernie Taylor, director of Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) at 91ӣ����Ƶ, recently spoke to members of the Tarboro Rotary Club and accepted a $4,000 donation in support of the BLET and Emergency Medical Services programs.

The BLET Academy is a 22-week program that prepares students for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers with state, county or municipal agencies. Taylor highlighted the academy’s recent success, including its largest entering and graduating class in 2025. Thirty-six cadets began the academy, and 32 completed the program.

Cadets complete extensive training, including shotgun and rifle instruction, firearms qualification, driver training, as well as certifications in baton, pepper spray, tasers and crisis intervention. Participants must complete 1,000 hours of training, an increase from previous state requirements. The current 17th BLET Academy began January 16 with 28 cadets; 22 remain enrolled.

The $4,000 donation from the Tarboro Rotary Club will be split evenly between the BLET and EMS programs to support students who experience emergencies that could otherwise prevent them from completing their training.

Adam Culbertson, ECC’s director of public services, was unable to attend the meeting but expressed his appreciation for the club’s continued support. “This funding is used to help students in need who want to begin their career in EMS,” Culbertson said. “I appreciate the Tarboro Rotary Club for their commitment to assisting ECC’s Public Safety programs in providing quality education to our community.”

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91ӣ����Ƶ held its Emergency Medical Services graduation ceremony Dec. 4 in Tarboro. Sixty-two students completed their training, receiving their certificate and eligibility to take the state test and become certified. Of those 62 students, 37 completed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), 14 completed Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), and 11 completed paramedic training.

An EMT delivers emergency medical services outside of the hospital, such as at homes, accident scenes, public places and in ambulances. The AEMT program is designed for individuals who are already EMT’s. In this program, they advance their knowledge and ability to provide treatment. Paramedics are licensed to provide a wide range of advanced emergency services and some complex procedures outside of the hospital.

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91ӣ����Ƶ’s Rocky Mount campus and the Rocky Mount Fire Department training grounds were the sites for ECC’s third annual Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) simulation event. On Saturday, Oct. 4, students from ECC’s allied health programs, along with local stakeholders from Bertie County EMS, Eastern Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team, ECU East Care, Edgecombe County EMS, Rocky Mount Fire Department, Rocky Mount Police Department and Williamston Fire and Rescue convened to train for emergencies.

“Each year, we hold the Mass Casualty event to better prepare our students and external partners to respond to disasters that we know Eastern North Carolina could experience,” said Adam Culbertson, fire and EMS coordinator at ECC and organizer for the simulation. “This year’s event was the most complex thus far, as it involved a shooting, fire and hazardous materials. Even though this seems extreme, it is something that could happen anywhere.”

The training event began at 8am and included more than 40 responders and 100 volunteers. Approximately 75 students from EMS, nursing, respiratory therapy, radiography and surgical technology also participated.

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The schools were ranked using a star system, with five being the highest. ECC was one of seven schools in the state to receive a five-star score.

ECC’s short-term workforce and customized training programs are a reason for this ranking. There are a variety of programs enabling students to get their credentials in a year or less, such as forklift training, the notary public education course, welding and real estate pre-licensing, construction, collision repair, natural hair care, nail technology and more. In many cases, students have begun taking more than one course, or stacking credentials, to make them more attractive to potential employers.

For more information on the ranking in USA Today, visit . For more information on ECC’s short-term training programs, visit edgecombe.edu/training.

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Pictured l-r: Dawson Hines, ECC welding student; Tameka Kenan-Norman, executive director; Dr. Greg McLeod, ECC president; Bradley Moore, CEO of Top Dog Waste Solutions; Warren Lynch, lead instructor; Jean Bailey, ECC Foundation board president; Ralph CiConta, welding instructor and Johnathan Bland, ECC welding student

Top Dog Waste Solutions in Rocky Mount recently donated a total of $2,000 to the 91ӣ����Ƶ Foundation. The local trash and recycling company’s contribution will fund three distinct scholarships.

The Top Dog Welding Scholarship will provide $1,000 to students enrolled in the welding diploma program at ECC. A $500 gift will support students in business administration’s marketing certificate program and is entitled the Top Dog Marketing Scholarship. The additional $500, also referred to as the Top Dog Finance Scholarship, will sponsor qualified students enrolled in the accounting and finance-excel certificate program.

“After meeting with Mr. Bradley Moore, the chief executive officer of Top Dog Waste Solutions, it was evident that that he and the team at Top Dog Waste Solutions care about the community and want to ensure that graduates possess the skills they need to thrive in the workforce,” says Tameka Kenan-Norman, executive director of public information and institutional advancement at ECC. “We are thankful for his generosity and for understanding that education is a pivotal starting point for economic development.”

For more information about Top Dog Waste Solutions, visit . To give to ECC, visit edgecombe.edu/give.

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91ӣ����Ƶ is the recipient of a $5,000 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Outreach grant provided by the STEMEast Network. The grant will cover tuition for students enrolled in ECC’s camps, including STEM-Elementary, STEM-Middle and Electronics camps. The funding will also assist with materials, equipment, staffing, camp shirts, snacks and more.

These camps offer participants the opportunity to learn about physics and chemistry concepts, engineer their own design project, build electronic circuits and learn simple computer programming. STEM-Elementary Camp has been filled. STEM-Middle Camp is for rising sixth through ninth graders and will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Rising fifth through ninth graders may participate in Electronics Camp from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Both camps will be held July 14-17 on the Tarboro campus. For more information, contact ashmanp@edgecombe.edu, or visit edgecombe.edu/camps.

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Dr. Greg McLeod, ECC president, completed the forklift operator training class held on June 10.

Imagine attending a training class on the ECC campus and one of your classmates is the college president!

Dr. Greg McLeod, ECC president, elevated his practical skills by completing the forklift operator training class held June 10 on the Tarboro campus. By joining the class, he learned about the basic design of lift trucks, stabilization of trucks, maintenance, repair costs and safety aspects in operation.

Students are required to pass a written test and a driving test. Students who pass both tests will receive certification the day of the class. McLeod successfully obtained his forklift operator’s license.

“While I took the class to be able to help our facilities maintenance team whenever they need me, it’s a great skill and certification to have in general since forklifts are essential to the operations of so many companies and businesses,” said McLeod.

Forklift training class at ECC is scheduled monthly, with attendees meeting from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fleming building on the Tarboro campus. The next class will be held Tuesday, July 15. For more information, contact ashmanp@edgecombe.edu or .

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Students in the Natural Hair Care program study and practice chemical-free hair styling. The course is completed in seven months. In Nail Technology, there is instruction and practice in manicuring, nail building and pedicuring.

The Spring 2025 Graduates of the Natural Hair Care Night Class, pictured
(l-r) Dyneria Britt, Tyshundia Brown, Maya Robinson, Shameika Kinch, Sherita Barnes, Lakesha Askew and Dawndria Cherry.

Nail Technology graduates were (l-r) Mary Randolph and Idaya Williams

Pictured (l-r, front row) ECC president, Dr. Gregory McLeod, Jasmine Joyner, Tamaria Hollis and Natural Hair Care day class instructor, Danyella Lewis
Pictured (l-r, back row) Quandella Austin and Sabrina Hyman

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The graduates of 91ӣ����Ƶ’s 15th Basic Academy for Basic Law Enforcement Training earned a significant achievement and set an unprecedented mark.

Of the 36 cadets who began the academy on Oct. 3, 2024, 32 graduated from the program on Tuesday, March 11. The graduates were all recognized in the Keihin Auditorium on the Tarboro campus as the largest-ever graduating class from the college, exceeding the previous record by 11.

ECC can also tout the pass rate for the class on an exam mandated by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. According to BLET School Director, Bernie Taylor, of the 32 cadets who successfully completed their requirements of eligibility in order to sit for the state comprehensive certification examination, all 32 passed, achieving a 100 percent pass rate.

“Having 36 cadets enter the program with 32 successfully completing and passing the state exam, is a direct result of our staff of 50 plus instructors,” said Bernie Taylor, BLET school director. “Of those instructors, 95 percent work full-time in the law enforcement field and take time off, which could very well be spent with their family. Instead, they teach in our BLET program to preserve the future of law enforcement.”

ECC’s BLET Academy is a 22-week program that prepares students for entry-level employment as a law enforcement officer with state, county or municipal governments. During the academy, cadets receive Officer Survival Training, training in high-risk calls, as well as 40 hours of Crisis Intervention Team Training (CIT). CIT teaches students how to effectively respond to situations involving a mental health crisis or someone experiencing a developmental disability. CIT certification is nationally recognized. The academy also provides certification in tasers, pepper spray and expandable batons.

“Without the support of the law enforcement community, our program wouldn’t be as successful as it is,” continued Taylor. “Fifteen different law enforcement agencies from across eastern North Carolina sent their personnel to this basic academy.” Of the 32 who completed the academy, all 32 were hired by one of those law enforcement agencies.

The following graduated from ECC’s BLET Academy and have been hired by the law enforcement agencies listed beside their name.

• Emma Allen, Greenville Police Department
• Franklin Arias, Scotland Neck Police Department
• Hunter Baker, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
• Ky’Mia Council, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office
• Rochelle Gaskins, Washington County Sheriff’s Office
• Anthony Gonzalez, Rocky Mount Police Department
• Marcelo Guijarro, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office
• Damontay Jackson, Farmville Police Department
• Johnathan LaGrone, Chowan County Sheriff’s Office
• Jessica Little, Tarboro Police Department
• Enriqueta Lotzin, Wilson Police Department
• Re’Killya Mallory, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office
• Hunter McGee, Greenville Police Department
• Allen Melton Jr., Bertie County Sheriff’s Office
• Danielle Melton, Bertie County Sheriff’s Office
• Teresa Morales, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office
• Michael Morton, Farmville Police Department
• Thomas Proffitt IV, Farmville Police Department
• Christian Ramirez, Rocky Mount Police Department
• Isaac Randolph, Rocky Mount Police Department
• Christopher Roberts, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office
• Marco Sanchez, Pinetops Police Department
• Dyllan Schoolfield, Edenton Police Department
• Jamoty Sharpe, Rocky Mount Police Department
• Tyler Simpkins, Rocky Mount Police Department
• Steven Smith, Wilson Police Department
• Derrick Thompson Jr, Tarboro Police Department
• Nolan Viverette, Rocky Mount Police Department
• Lucas Votava, Chowan County Sheriff’s Office
• Jermaine Whitaker, Winterville Police Department
• Dante Wiggins, Rocky Mount Police Department
• Tanner Wittig, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office

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