EGCC marks one year at Valley Center

By Denise Dick

denise_dick@vindy.com

Youngstown

In October 2012, Eastern Gateway Community College opened its Valley Center on East Federal Street in the city’s downtown.

A year later, the number of students at the center helped the college’s enrollment jump 15 percent from 2012. Enrollment in the Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull county service district is 1,345, a 48 percent increase from fall 2012.

The center marked its first birthday Wednesday with a cake. Students could sign a banner announcing the occasion.

“We’re about 75 percent complete for the building itself,” said Anthony D’Apolito, Valley Center operations manager.

The college occupies the building’s first floor except for the southwest corner, which is the future home of a restaurant.

Dante Zambrini, Valley Center vice president, said two classrooms — one chemistry lab, one general science room — a small student commons area and interactive video distance learning lab will be added in the next phase of construction.

The interactive video distance learning lab allows students at the Valley Center to participate in classes being taught at the Jefferson County main campus, and vice versa.

Staff dressed in pink Wednesday to Pink Out the Campus for Breast Cancer Awareness, contributing to the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center in Boardman.

Abbie Twyford, student activities coordinator, organized the Pink Out and plans a fall festival this weekend for students, staff and their families.

“It’s a family fall event with games and crafts for kids,” Twyford said.

It’s another event to provide students with a college-campus experience, she said.

Tim Spalding, a business management major, is in his second year at Eastern Gateway. As a student ambassador, the Jackson-Milton High School graduate speaks to high school students about the college.

He’s a recipient of the Gateway Grant, which provides two years of free tuition to Eastern Gateway students. Before learning about the grant from his high school guidance counselor, he planned to pursue an apprenticeship in sheet metal or an electrician because he didn’t believe he could afford college.

Now after completing two years at Eastern Gateway, Spalding plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Youngstown State University.

He encourages others to follow his path.

“If you get a job right out of high school, someone can take that away from you,” Spalding said. “But your education, no one can take away from you.”