Meeks’ departure as president of Eastern Gateway unnerving

E astern Gateway Community College has become such an integral part of the higher education landscape in the Mahoning Valley that residents no longer use the full name when talking about the two-year institution.

It’s either EGCC or Eastern Gateway, just as it’s YSU (Youngstown State University) and Kent State Trumbull (Kent State University at Trumbull).

And to think that five years ago, most residents hadn’t even heard of the community college located in Steubenville.

It would not be a stretch to say that Eastern Gateway has taken Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties by storm. Neither would it be an exaggeration to credit President Laura Meeks with the institution’s phenomenal growth in the region.

Dr. Meeks had the vision, the determination, the support of the college’s board of trustees, and the connections in higher education to make the expansion into the Valley possible.

That’s why her departure in nine months should be cause for concern in the area. Meeks’ announcement several weeks ago that she will be retiring in July 2015 after 16 years at the helm has prompted the board of trustees to appoint a 13-member search committee, and has hired the Association of Community College Trustees Search Consultants of Washington, D.C., for about $30,000 to assist. The company will also work on the college’s succession plan.

“We’ve given ourselves ample time to move,” said John T. Gilmore of Steubenville, chairman of the board of trustees. “We also have to be fair to the applicant who might accept. They need more time.” Gimore is on the search committee, as is Trustee Molly Seals of Canfield.

We are encouraged by the fact that community involvement and participation from teachers, students, the administration and members of the board of trustees will be sought.

It is incumbent upon the Mahoning Valley’s political, business and community leaders to not only make their opinions known, but to ensure that Meeks’ departure does not diminish ECGG’s presence in the tri-county area.

We would also urge Youngstown State President James P. Tressel and the trustees to get involved in the selection of Meeks’ successor, so that the close ties that have been established between the two institutions are strengthened.

With Ohio’s four-year public universities and colleges under pressure from the governor and the General Assembly to get out of the academic remediation business — a disturbingly large number of high school students need instruction in English and math before they are ready to take college-level courses — Eastern Gateway has already stepped in to provide the academic foundation for the prospective YSU students.

This fall, enrollment at EGCC reached 3,155, which is a 9 percent increase from the fall of 2013.

National distinction

EGCC has the distinction of being one of the country’s fastest-growing higher education institutions.

Gilmore is quick to credit Dr. Meeks with the increase in enrollment.

“The significant growth and development we’ve had I attributed to her,” the chairman of the board of trustees said.

There is no doubt that whoever succeeds Meeks will have a formidable record to match.

Eastern Gateway’s trustees must be unequivocal in their support for the expansion of the college in the Mahoning Valley and make it clear that the initiatives developed by Meeks will be continued.

For instance, area businesses have been working closely with the president on providing courses that will give them a qualified workforce.

Last week, ECGG was awarded a $2.5 million grant to train students with marketable career skills and then connect them with businesses looking for trained workers.

Dr. Meeks has laid a solid foundation for Eastern Gateway in the Mahoning Valley. Her successor should have no problem building on it — so long as he or she shares the vision and commitment of the outgoing president.