MERIDIAN —     DECATUR – East Central Community College is providing public forums in local communities during January in an ongoing effort to solicit input on how the College can better serve its five-county district and surrounding areas.

    EC President Dr. Billy W. Stewart said information received from the forums will be used to assist the College in its strategic planning process titled 20/20 Vision.

    “We all know East Central has affected the lives of countless individuals who would otherwise not have had the opportunity to achieve their educational goals,” said Stewart, who began serving as the College’s eighth president in July 2012.

    “However, while we celebrate our storied past, we must also plan for a bright future.”

    Stewart said the term 20/20 Vision is used “to provide a clear picture of where we are headed and what we want to achieve by the year 2020. So far, this process has included a review of the College’s mission and core values in order to solidify institutional commitments necessary to achieve our vision.”

    Public forums are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in each of the five district counties according to the following schedule:

    • Tuesday, Jan. 15 – Newton Depot, Newton

    • Wednesday, Jan. 16 – Lake Tiak O’Khata (Flamingo Room), Louisville

    • Wednesday, Jan. 23 – Scott County Courthouse, Forest

    • Monday, Jan. 28 – Philadelphia Depot, Philadelphia

    • Tuesday, Jan. 29 – Carthage Chamber of Commerce, Carthage

    Stewart is hoping residents of the local communities will respond to the College’s request for feedback on the future of EC.

    “As the community’s college, we want to know how members of the community see the College now and in the future,” he said. “We need to know your thoughts and ideas related to the question, ‘What should the College look like in the year 2020?’”

    Stewart said local civic and economic development leaders will provide assistance at each forum, which will also be attended by several College administrators and staff members.

    Refreshments will be provided at each location.

     For more information, contact the ECCC Public Information Office, (601) 635-6242 or call toll free, (877) 462-3222, ext. 242. The e-mail address is bjohnston@eccc.edu.