Earlier this week we let you know that Montgomery College’s East County Education Center (ECEC) officially opened for business and the first groups of students began their classes Monday, April 1. A ribbon cutting ceremony is also scheduled for April 20th.
Per Montgomery College: The ECEC brings the College’s unique services and academic programs to the residents of the East County, expanding access in this region and to serve as an anchor institution in the community. On Saturday, April 20, College and community leaders, along with elected officials, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour at the ECEC. The event is by invitation only, and open to all media.
Located at 2221 Broad Birch Drive in Silver Spring, the 55,193-square-foot space features classrooms, training labs, and student advising space, while offering both credit and non-credit courses. The new center is the first step in MC’s expansion into East County and expects to serve more than 1,000 students in the first year.
Montgomery College has had a presence in the East County since 2015, when it established a community engagement center inside the East County Regional Service Center on Briggs Chaney Road. Since then, the College has served thousands of people seeking training and job skills. These individuals have been empowered to take advantage of classes and learning opportunities -many of them free, such as English classes and computer trainings–that have improved their earning potential. The ECEC seeks to expand those opportunities.
Montgomery College currently has three campuses (Germantown, Rockville, Takoma Park/Silver Spring) and two training centers in Gaithersburg and Wheaton. The ECEC is the largest of the College’s three centers, nearly four times larger than the Gaithersburg site.
The credit and noncredit classes offered at the ECEC are in fields of interest to prospective students and community members, targeting skill gaps in key industry sectors such as healthcare and IT.
Programs offered include small business/entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, allied healthcare, early childhood education, hospitality management, criminal justice, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL/ESL), and Workforce Development and Continuing Education offerings.
The ECEC Facilities
The East County Education Center is a 55,000 square foot, single-story building that consists of:
- 11 classrooms for numerous programs
- 10 labs (6 allied health labs, 3 computer labs, and 1 career training education lab)
- Raptor Central (a one-stop shop for admissions, enrollment, and visitor services)
- Community Engagement Center
- Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center
- Learning Center
- Library
- Event spaces
- WorkSource Montgomery
- Lounges
- Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) Center
- Study rooms
For more information about the center, visit the East County Education Center website.
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FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival
Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.
Step into a world where the Caribbean spirit comes alive! From 12:00 PM onwards, immerse yourself in a sensory journey that celebrates the unique culture, cuisine, and music of the Caribbean. Whether you’re an African American, a Reggae or Soca music enthusiast, a wine lover, or part of the vibrant Caribbean diaspora, this festival promises to delight and captivate you in every way.
