Chris Gray, Ph.D.
Founding President, Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania
When I was a kid, I was super picky about breakfast. It was just not my thing, and around about the time I got to junior high, my mom had just given up on trying to force the issue. It wasn't until much later on in life that I came to appreciate the first meal of the day. It's a meal and a time to be savored.
Now, I'm not an early morning person, and I never have been. Still, there's something very warm and comforting about an early morning gathering. We meet the day with warm mugs of coffee and tea along with the gentle hum of conversation. I don't like early mornings, but I relish our EC3 Quarterly Breakfast gatherings.
At EC3, our quarterly breakfasts aren't just another item on the calendar. We created these to interact with our community with intentionality – to open our doors to conversations with those that we serve. I view it as a chance for all of us to slow down and sit side by side with neighbors, friends, supporters, and colleagues who care deeply about the future of higher education here in Erie. It provides us with much-needed time to listen and to engage with the work we're doing and the people we're doing it for.
After four years of building EC3, we know full well that progress doesn't always come with fireworks and parades; often, it is largely invisible to those on the outside. It often whispers softly through incremental updates, challenging yet thoughtful questions, and the steady reassurance that our shared efforts are continuing to push us forward. That's what this and all Quarterly Breakfasts are all about. It's not a grand performance. It's a conversation between friends, and we need your voice. Your voice matters.
So whether you've joined us for all of these gatherings or this will be your first, we hope you'll come. Whether you're familiar with us or are just beginning to learn what EC3 is all about, we hope you'll come. These mornings offer insights into our work and the values and mission that guide us. You'll hear updates from our administration about ongoing initiatives and new partnerships. You'll learn about our accreditation journey and our plans to expand access and opportunity in our region. You'll hear about our commitment to equity and meeting our students where they are as we help them get to wherever they want to be. Most importantly, you'll have a seat at the table, a place where you belong.
Our next breakfast will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at EC3 West, located at 2403 West 8th Street. Doors open at 7:30 AM, and the program begins promptly at 8:00 AM. Please RSVP to president@ec3pa.org if you'd like to attend.
If you can't make it in July, we'd still love to meet you. Mark your calendar for October 14, 2025. Same time, same place. The coffee will be hot, and the conversation real. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Our community: your college.
