FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: E. Shawn Waskiewicz, Executive Director of External Affairs & Strategy
Email: ewaskiewicz@ec3pa.org
Phone: 814-413-7015
Website: www.ec3pa.org
EC3 RECEIVES $50,000 DONATION FROM EMPOWER ERIE
Erie, PA – October 29, 2025. Erie County Community College (EC3) is proud to accept a $50,000 gift from Empower Erie. Funds will be earmarked for the EC3 Foundation to support student needs while reducing barriers.
Established in 2016, Empower Erie's mission was to establish a Community College to improve the overall educational attainment and household income of Erie County residents, meet employers' current and future needs for skilled workers, and make Erie a more attractive place for businesses while creating better-paying jobs. For over four years, a dedicated group of volunteers worked diligently to assemble a coalition of prominent community stakeholders, government leaders, and grassroots organizations to support that mission.
The efforts of Empower Erie included completing a Feasibility Study, preparing a Community College Plan, a Financial Impact Study, and a communication strategy. In June 2017 Erie County Council voted to approve county sponsorship of a community college. Erie County submitted the College Plan prepared by Empower Erie to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (DOE) on June 30, 2017.
Working with the county, Empower Erie efforts turned to lobbying Harrisburg and the DOE to approve the application. On July 8, 2020, the State Board of Education approved the Erie County Community College. Classes began September 1, 2021.
"Empower Erie was instrumental in bringing a Community College to Erie. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude, and truly appreciate their gift today," says Chris Gray, Ph.D., President of EC3.
The EC3 Foundation provides support to students to alleviate any financial burdens or barriers to education for its students. For more information on how to support, please contact Carolyn Dunn at cdunn2@ec3pa.org, or call 814-413-7028.
About Erie County Community College (EC3)
Founded in 2021, Erie County Community College (EC3) is a pioneering educational institution dedicated to providing affordable and accessible higher education and workforce training to the residents of Erie County and beyond. EC3 offers a wide range of programs, including associate degrees and technical certificates, designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today's workforce or continue their education at four-year universities. EC3 is committed to developing dynamic learners who contribute to Erie County's economic growth. Through innovative education and partnerships with local industries, EC3 aims to create a thriving community of lifelong learners and workforce-ready graduates. For more information, visit www.ec3pa.org.
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