MARIETTA—Earlier this year, when Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC) was forced to halt enrollment, Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) stepped forward to be a part of the efforts to support the students who were left to find academic alternatives.
Recognizing the improbability of EGCC students being receptive to a 100-plus mile commute to Marietta, Washington State’s Health Information Management Technology Director Christina Manley quickly developed a strategy to support those students who could benefit from her online program.
“When I reached out, I wanted to help the students in Eastern Gateway’s HIMT program. My goal was to ensure they would be able to finish their classes, sit for their certification exam, and graduate on time.”
Because the curriculum of the two programs are very similar, Manley and EGCC’s HIMT director Barbara Ryznar, were able to work collaboratively to develop solutions for the students. In the initial phase, the two leaders decided to focus on the students who only needed one final course, a professional Practicum Experience (PPE) class to graduate.
Manley said she was able to incorporate the students into her classes during the second 8-weeks of the spring semester and the summer session. These students are enrolled as transient students and will earn credits at WSCO that will then be transferred back to EGCC and applied toward their graduation requirements. However, she added that several other students have transferred to WSCO to complete their degrees.
“We are just taking it one section at a time and have broken it down in cohorts so we can effectively manage and support these students,” explained Manley. “We are working together for the common good of the students. Nothing but positive can come out of that. We both want these students to graduate,” she acknowledged.
As the situation at EGCC continues to progress, it is becoming more evident that the embattled institution will have to close its doors. Manley said she has been working closely with the HIMT students to help them navigate their circumstances. She has developed course equivalency for both her HIMT and medical billing and coding courses. “For those students who opt to transfer to Washington State, my goal is to make it as seamless as possible. This is a terrible situation, not of their making, and I just want to support them and keep them on track to successfully complete the program.”
The response from EGCC students has been overwhelmingly positive. Manley said she daily receives messages of appreciation. “It’s been a big relief,” said Ecaterina Medina. The Texas homeschooling mom said she only needed to take one more course to complete her degree, however, other colleges that offered to help required several more classes to finish. “That would not have been fair, but I’m now able to finish my last class at Washington State.”
In addition to assisting the EGCC HIMT students, WSCO has a designated admissions team member to work with all Eastern Gateway students who need transfer assistance to ensure they have an academic alternative to successfully complete their degree. For details visit https://www.wsco.edu/news/eastern-gateway-community-college or call 740.885.5640.
