Dr. LaShawnda Washington encouraged the 16 spring inductees of 91ӣ����Ƶ’s Alpha Omega Nu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society to embrace and embody fellowship.

“May you carry fellowship from this ceremony into every classroom, every meeting, every community space you enter,” said Washington, dean of College and Career Readiness and Human Resources Development at ECC. “May you represent 91ӣ����Ƶ with distinction-not only through what you accomplish, but how you treat others.”

Washington served as the guest speaker for ECC’s spring induction ceremony held recently. Established in 1994 at ECC, PTK promotes the development of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.

Washington challenged the new members to practice presence, build bridges, serve together, think globally, and encourage others consistently.

“The most powerful fellowship often comes through words,” stated Washington. “A simple ‘I believe in you,’ a handwritten note, a message of congratulations, a moment of grace when someone falls short.”

Washington’s message represents the core values of PTK.

Congratulations to the 16 new inductees of ECC’s Alpha Omega Nu Chapter of PTK:

Pictured l-r: Sierrea Fuller, Brooklyn Harris, Tequila Gorham, Tabita Ausby, Brandice Hoggard, Jalyssa Tate, Amelia Lynch, Destinee Williams, Gavin Allen and Chayce Bryant.

Not pictured are: Austin Bryant, Olivia Edwards, Abigail Jordan, Sierra Leaston, John Pollard and Laderrick Whitaker.

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A recognition event will be held Tuesday, May 19, from 3:30–5 p.m. in the Barnhill-Jenkins Center for Innovation’s Multipurpose Room. Students who competed at the state conference, held April 15–17, will be recognized for their achievements.

This year marked ECC’s largest team, with 65 students traveling to Greensboro. Participants brought home 19 medals, including four gold, four silver, three bronze, along with four fourth-place and four fifth-place awards. Competitions showcased excellence in career and technical fields such as engineering, welding, cosmetology, carpentry and more.

“I am grateful to our students for putting in the extra effort of preparing and competing, and to our advisors for spending extra time with these students helping them prepare,” said Trey Cherry, chair of Information Technology Studies. “I am also grateful for the ongoing support of our administration and our foundation donors who support our participation in SkillsUSA.”

Guests at the celebration will have the opportunity to meet many of the competitors and view several of their award-winning projects. Some local winners will advance to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, taking place June 1–5 in Atlanta, Ga.

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Stephon Ferguson

91ӣ����Ƶ’s Student Government Association, in partnership with Providing African American Males the Edge to Succeed (PAAMES), will present a dynamic Black History Month Program. “The Dream Continues: Living Legacies” will be held Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 12 p.m. in the Astemo Auditorium on ECC’s Tarboro campus.

“This event serves as a multifaceted platform that promotes education, artistic expression, economic empowerment and cultural appreciation within the African American community,” says Ashley King, ECC’s student activities coordinator.

Dr. Stephon Ferguson will be the keynote speaker for ECC’s Black History Month Program. Widely recognized for his authentic renditions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches and sermons, Ferguson captivates audiences and educates them about Dr. King’s life, philosophy and enduring impact.

Cultural appreciation and artistic expression will be highlighted with performances from the Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Choir. Attendees will also hear from Olivia Wheeler, Edgecombe Early College High School student and winner of Rocky Mount’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Competition.

Following the program, vendors will line the interior and exterior of the Fleming Building to showcase a variety of products and services.

King adds that the Vendor Village aims to create an engaging environment where students and other attendees can view displays showcasing the achievements of Black individuals throughout history, and connect with minority owned businesses.

For more information about ECC’s Black History Month program, visit , or call Ashley King at (252) 618-6681.

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Mikella Pittman

Mikella Pittman may be an accounting and finance major at 91ӣ����Ƶ, but her world isn’t just limited to payroll accounting, financial statements and spreadsheet formulas. The Tarboro native is also enamored with video games, and ECC’s newly installed Esports room caught her attention.

“When I first saw the setup, I thought it was really cool,” stated an enthusiastic Pittman. “When I saw they have PlayStations, Xbox and another Nintendo Switch, I thought it would be an opportunity to play on the different systems and gain a new experience with different games.”

That’s why Pittman enrolled in ECC’s inaugural Esports program. Starting Fall 2025, the competitive program positioned ECC against colleges across the country.

“We have already competed in several competitions,” said Denise Batts, information technology instructor and ECC’s gaming coach. According to Batts, the college participated in their first official match Nov. 4. Since then, students have battled in Tekken 8, Mario Kart 8, Madden 26 and Hearthstone. Pittman won two rounds in her debut Mario Kart 8 matchup.

“Overall, our players are doing great,” says Batts. “The more they play, the better they’ll get. The one thing they are seeing is the level of competition.”

So far, ECC has competed against colleges in Georgia, Texas, Virginia and Alabama. Competitions are held Monday through Thursday, and the Esports room is available on specific days for coaching and practice. Currently, ECC competes at the community, or D3 level. According to Batts, criteria differs for each division. To advance to the D1 or D2 level, competition is rigorous. Students must also be full-time, and grade point averages are reviewed.

Pittman encourages more students to join ECC’s growing Esports community. “Working with other people, having them share their experience, and having a shared interest—that’s really good,” she said. Scholarships are also available for qualifying students in the Esports program totaling $2,000 over two years.

To join ECC’s Esports program, call (252) 618-6526. To learn more about the Esports Scholars Scholarship, visit .

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New to ECC this year are the First Flight and Esports Scholars Scholarships. High-school graduates with an unweighted Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.6 may apply for the First Flight Scholarship. Students who enroll in a degree program at ECC could receive $500 their first year, awarded at $250 each fall and spring semester.

ECC launched the Esports gaming program in the fall. Seeking to build a league of gamers who will compete against other colleges in the state, this scholarship totals $2,000 per year for two years. Recipients must be 2026 high-school graduates of Edgecombe County or a surrounding county, with an unweighted GPA of at least 2.6.

These new scholarships are added to other existing scholarships, making college at ECC even more affordable. For example, qualified students who receive the EDGE scholarship get a fully-funded education for up to two years. Based on in-state tuition, the EDGE Scholarship provides a financial aid package covering tuition, books and fees. Recipients must be current high-school graduates of either Edgecombe County or a surrounding county with an unweighted GPA of at least 2.8. Students must have completed at least six credit hours through the NC Career and College Promise Program or an approved Continuing Education Program with 96 or more contact hours.

The Eagle Mascot Scholarship was established in 2021. The mascot performer delivers excitement as he/she represents ECC at on-campus and community events. The ideal student must take a minimum of six credit hours and maintain a GPA of 2.6 or higher for the $1,000 annual scholarship.

For more information about the Edge, First Flight, Esports Scholars and the Eagle Mascot scholarships, visit edgecombe.edu/scholarships.

The ECC Foundation also offers a number of annual scholarships and endowments totaling awards of approximately $100,000 each year.

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Twenty-one 91ӣ����Ƶ students were inducted into the Alpha Omega Nu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an honor society for students attending two-year schools. The Fall Induction Ceremony was held Oct. 23 on the Tarboro campus. Lorrie Coltraine, the Astemo Endowed Faculty Chair Award recipient, served as the guest speaker.

The Fall 2025 Phi Theta Kappa inductees are:

First row (l-r)

• Eniame Worsley
• Anna Mungo
• Emma Camp
• DeZiya Hewlin
• Delzora Hagans
• Marlee Holloman-Proctor

Second row (l-r)

• Chareeka Mitchell
• Kianna Payton
• Matthew Cannon
• Jakiyah Lyons
• Cassidy Liverman
• Nina Jenkins
• Daylin Hooker

Third row (l-r)

• Kamari Doward-Covington
• Ja’Lexia Williams
• Nellie Ruffin
• Nuriana Rauda-Lopez
• Ava Phillips
• Anna Phillips

Not pictured: Kiyonna Fennell and Jeremy Snyder

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On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the P.A.A.M.E.S. initiative hosted an event entitled “21st Century Men Ahead of the Curve: A Men’s Health Event.” This event, held on ECC’s Rocky Mount campus, empowered and educated male youth and the wider public on critical health topics relevant to their well-being, specifically breast cancer in men.

This P.A.A.M.E.S. experience fostered a proactive approach to health and wellness within the community by addressing disparities and promoting informed choices. Speakers were from the Edgecombe County Health Department, Boxhause Training and Fitness, and Mrs. Stephanie Walker, a metastatic breast cancer advocate, shared her story.

The next day, P.A.A.M.E.S. hosted a Lunch & Learn, providing students with informational pamphlets for health awareness.

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Students could scan a QR code that linked directly to online voter registration portals and tools to check current registration status. Paper registration forms and the voter assistance hotline number were also made available.

Each campus had three registration locations, and approximately 73 students, faculty and staff checked their registration, updated information or registered to vote! Way to go, Eagles!

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The Esports room at 91ӣ����Ƶ is equipped with 42-inch televisions, PlayStation 5 video game consoles, a Nintendo Switch, Xbox, window tinting, noise reduction barriers, gaming center computers, tables, and chairs.

91ӣ����Ƶ has transformed a classroom space in the Charles S. McIntyre Building on the Tarboro campus into a room for Esports. It is equipped with 42-inch televisions, Sony Interactive Entertainment PlayStation 5 video game consoles, a Nintendo Switch, Xbox, window tinting, noise reduction barriers, as well as gaming center computers, tables and chairs. It is all in preparation for ECC’s Esports program set to begin in the fall.

“I think Esports will provide a team environment for students who otherwise simply play these games on their own,” says Denise Batts, information technology instructor and ECC’s gaming coach. “I believe it will provide students with more opportunity for scholarships and team building, provide the community with a better educated workforce pool, and give students more confidence in their skills.”

Batts says players will compete against other colleges in the state. The team is already a member of the National Junior College Athletics Association of Esports. According to the NJCAAE website, the organization is designed to meet the needs of two-year, technical and community colleges in collegiate Esports. And while Esports is not considered a curriculum program, students may still receive scholarships to help pay for their education.

Aside from being a professional gamer, the Esports industry also prepares participants for jobs in web development, general management, coaching, marketing, journalism and more.

“Being a part of Esports provides an understanding of technology as it relates to connectivity, applications, and flexibility of a changing environment that is prevalent in all work environments,” states Batts.

To join ECC’s Esports program, call (252) 618-6526.

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91ӣ����Ƶ’s P.A.A.M.E.S program (Providing African American Males the Edge to Succeed) hosted a special event during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Beyond the Barber’s Chair: A Men’s Health and Wellness Day, was held June 25 on ECC’s Rocky Mount campus.

Attendees enjoyed music, inflatables, free haircuts, free resources and a men’s health walk. Participants also heard a message from Terry Ruffin, an instructor, peer specialist, substance abuse mentor, author and motivational speaker. Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every June.

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