Erie County Community College is taking the next step toward expanding its reach across the region.<\/p>\n
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The Erie County Community College (EC3) Board of Trustees has approved the creation of an East Side Expansion Advisory Group, a committee that will evaluate opportunities for future growth in the eastern portion of the college’s service area.<\/p>\n
The group will provide information, analysis, and recommendations to help guide the board’s decision-making process as the college considers expanding educational access for county residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis expansion represents an important investment in the future of our students and the communities we serve,\u201d said Chris Gray, president of EC3. \u201cBy bringing more educational opportunities, workforce training, and student support closer to where people live and work, we are helping remove barriers while strengthening the region\u2019s workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the college, the advisory group will review and validate existing data tied to potential expansion efforts, including enrollment trends, demographics, population growth, workforce needs, traffic patterns, educational attainment levels, and local high school enrollment.<\/p>\n
The committee will also help coordinate community listening sessions aimed at gathering input from residents, students, employers, civic leaders, community organizations, and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n
The advisory group will include representatives appointed by the EC3 Board of Trustees, the Erie County Executive’s Office, the City of Erie Mayor’s Office, Erie County Council, and one community member.<\/p>\n