Erie Community College, State University of New York

New State University of New York Chancellor Dr. Nancy L. Zimpher made her first stop in Western New York as part of her summer tour of all 64 SUNY campuses, visiting Erie Community College’s North and City campuses Friday, June 19, 2009.

During her visit, Zimpher met with ECC President Jack Quinn, the Board of Trustees, college administrators, faculty, staff and students to learn about ECC, its strengths, as well as the challenges it currently faces.

At a news conference held at ECC’s City Campus, Zimpher said, “Meeting with students, faculty, campus staff, community leaders, members of the ECC Board and the state and local elected officials who make Erie Community College a dynamic institution of higher education and an economic engine for Western New York has been a great experience. I want to thank President Jack Quinn and all ECC stakeholders for sharing their views on what we can do together to make SUNY stronger.

“In addition to ECC, I will be on the Buffalo State and UB campuses next week as part of the first step in developing a strategic plan for the SUNY system. Input from all constituencies is critical in developing our shared vision to strengthen all 64 campuses that comprise the State University of New York.”

“ECC was absolutely thrilled to host Chancellor Zimpher at our campuses,” Quinn said. “We were very proud to tell her about our record enrollment numbers and our continuously expanding academic programs. The Chancellor learned what an important role ECC plays in the local economy, driving workforce development and creating jobs in Western New York. On behalf of the college community, I would like to thank her for visiting ECC. We look forward to staying in touch with her to continue this great relationship.”

ECC provides recent high school graduates, current employees and dislocated workers with an opportunity to gain the necessary educational skills and technical training to start an exciting new career.

The college has developed a wide range of certificate programs that lead to immediate job opportunities and provide a pathway to earning an associate degree, including Building Trades, CNC Precision Machining, Dental Assisting, Homeland Security and new programs in Biomanufacturing, Digital Forensics and Emergency Medical Services.

In collaboration with industry partners such as Perry’s Ice Cream, National Fuel and National Grid, ECC also offers short-term training programs such as Field Operations for Energy Utilities, Overhead Electric Line Worker, HVAC Technician, Industrial Refrigeration Technician and Cisco Networking Technician.

Zimpher, who assumed the post June 1, is the 12th Chancellor of the State University of New York, the nation’s largest comprehensive public university system with approximately 440,000 students.

Zimpher previously served as president of the University of Cincinnati from 2003 to 2009 and as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1998 to 2003. Prior to 1998, she served as executive dean of the Professional Colleges and dean of the College of Education at The Ohio State University.

Erie Community College meets the needs of a diverse student body and contributes to regional economic vitality by providing excellent, flexible, affordable and accessible educational programs in a multi-campus environment committed to continuous improvement.