Erie County Community College: Our Community, Your College!
Learn about the development of America's newest community college. Chris Gray, founding president of EC3, will provide an overview of the college, describe how EC3 fills a post-secondary vacuum in Erie County, and talk about the pressing issues facing community college learners including access, the achievement gap, jobs, the barriers of post-secondary bureaucracy, and most importantly, how EC3 will attack these challenges to ensure every student of Erie County has access to affordable post-secondary education that leads to jobs.
Covid-19 policies will be in effect throughout programming, please review the JES Covid-19 policy here. Patrons will need to show their vaccination cards or proof of a negative test. While Erie County remains on alert, masks will be required. Advanced registration is required for all JES events. Tickets will not be sold at or during events. Community Discussion Lunch 'n' Learn programs are $10/person for admission + a brown bag lunch, and $5/person for admission without a lunch. All JES programming is free to all Erie County students with advanced registration and proof of enrollment at event check-in. To register with the student discount, use the coupon code "eriecountystudents" and make sure to bring proof of enrollment to the programs you register for. Payments must be made at registration. Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, and Discover accepted. Cash payments are no longer accepted by the Jefferson.
Dr. Christopher Gray, Ph.D. is founding President of Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania, an educator, artist, and community advocate. He has taught speech and theater in higher education for 20 years and is active in the community and regional theater. Chris holds a Master’s degree in theatre and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Foundations with a research area of Theatre Assessment. Chris is a graduate from, and a firm believer in the community college. Dr. Gray’s professional focus has been strengthening regional ecosystems by building workforces. Connecting local business and industry needs to students interested in high-paid, in-demand careers enhance the entire community. Dr. Gray believes in the power of collaboration between community colleges, business, and civic partners to shape the local economic development.
