Chris Gray, Ph.D.
Founding President, Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania
At EC3, we do more than follow trends. We lead with practices proven to help students thrive. Here's what makes us different and why these strategies matter:
First, we believe that education should be collaborative, and we use coaches to help our students be successful. These success coaches serve as a single point of contact inside courses, serving as a conduit to help connect students to services and guiding them through college processes. Research consistently shows that success coaching significantly boosts retention and persistence at community colleges. Thus, we are committed to embedding success coaches directly into classes such that students have immediate access to help when they need it most.
Our success coaches help with time management, goal setting, scheduling, and course engagement, and they do so by creating a safe, supportive environment. Positive psychology principles in coaching foster resilience and persistence. We believe that success is not just academic. It is personal, and we are committed to helping students feel seen and supported.
In addition, we intentionally link coursework to employability skills such as communication, teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving. Studies confirm that experiential learning and competency-based approaches help to prepare graduates for today's workforce. At EC3, students work on practical projects that mirror real-world challenges so that they are ready to succeed out in the world when they leave us.
We are committed, in other words, to helping our students prepare for the end of their journey while they are en route. From organizing visits to transfer institutions to hosting career fairs to employer networking events, we work actively to give students a head start on planning their future. Research highlights that early career exposure improves confidence and decision-making, and we make that a priority for all EC3 students.
While our students are here, moreover, we offer multiple layers of academic support, including embedded tutoring, study groups, and faculty mentorship. Evidence shows these wrap-around strategies improve course success and reduce barriers to learning. At EC3, support is not optional or hidden. It is built into the student experience – for all students.
Many colleges give lip service to student success. That's not how we operate. Instead, EC3 builds it into every layer of the student experience. We are guided by research, not tradition, and that makes all the difference.
Our community. Your college.
