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El Paso, Texas March 6, 2019 – A press conference was held to announce a partnership between El Paso Community College (EPCC) and Marathon Petroleum for workforce development. Marathon Petroleum made a grant of $167,000 to EPCC for its Welding and Machining Technology programs housed at it Advanced Technology Center on the Valle Verde campus. This grant will fund the latest equipment to train students in these high-demand fields.

“Education and ongoing training are required for today’s workers and the success of our community,” Dr. William Serrata, EPCC President said. “EPCC fills a vital role for our region’s employers to ensure that their employees have the skills they need to be successful in the workplace.”

Through the grant, EPCC with expand its Welding and Machining Technology programs and offer additional credentials for students to receive advanced certifications. Certified graduates will also expand the skill base of our regional workforce, by being prepared for work with training in the professionalism and safety required in modern industry.

“At Marathon Petroleum, we value the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and are committed to collaborating with our stakeholders to create cleaner, safer, well-educated communities where we operate,” Billy McClain, Marathon Petroleum Vice President of Refining said. “One way we believe we can make a difference is to invest in initiatives that better prepare career/technical education (CTE) students for professional and academic success by increasing access to high-quality educational resources and instruction. We are pleased to partner with El Paso Community College toward this objective.”

EPCC is focused on growing community partnerships and fostering a culture of excellence to provide a better prepared workforce in our region.

Photo Caption: Check presentation left to right are VJ Smith, Marathon; Billy McClain, Marathon; Dr. Dolores Gross; Dr. William Serrata; Jason Hammer, Marathon.

EL PASO, Texas –Effective Monday, February 25, 2019 a section of Northrop Rd. near the El Paso International Airport will be closed to allow for roadway modifications and improvements.

The closure on Northrop between Terminal Rd. and Convair Rd., and a section of Terminal Dr. will be in effect through Friday, March 22, 2019. Proper traffic control measures and signage will be in place throughout the closure. Detours and closure schedule may be modified to allow for unforeseen events or weather conditions.

The Terminal Landscape Architectural Lighting project is part of the City of El Paso’s commitment to promote the visual image of the City and is part of the Airport’s Capital Improvement Plan originally approved in 2016. This project, funded through the Airport Enterprise Fund. The project will be completed by summer of 2019.

The Hospitals of Providence celebration of Heart Month continues on Saturday, February 16

EL PASO, Texas — February is Heart Month and The Hospitals of Providence wants to help El Pasoans stay Heart Healthy through prevention, education and treatment.
No matter your age, Heart Health matters. The entire community is encouraged to take advantage of the Free Heart Health Screening event, taking place from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, February 16, 2019, at Cielo Vista Mall.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the #1 leading cause of death in the United States. An important part of lowering your risk for Heart Disease is managing your healthy behaviors and risk factors, such as exercise, diet, smoking, BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels. A heart screening is an important first step in preventing heart disease.

WHAT: The Hospitals of Providence Free Heart Health Screening event

WHERE: Cielo Vista Mall
8401 Gateway West
El Paso TX 79925

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 11 am. Saturday, February 16, 2019

WHY: Heart Health Month

El Paso Community College (EPCC) Student Government Association (SGA) along with EPCC Campus Life present what it was called the Chinese Valentine’s Day.

WHAT: Lantern Festival

WHEN: Tuesday, February 19, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: EPCC Mission del Paso Courtyard, 10700 Gateway East

WHO: Students, staff and faculty

VISUALS: Performances, fun activities and students displaying their own lanterns

EPCC provides academic programs and support services that are clear pathways to skill development, timely degree completion and transfer to a university or gainful employment.

Frances Moreno

The year was 1973. A young Austin High School graduate was encouraged to continue her education by attending a recently established El Paso Community College. One of her memories of Logan Heights as a student was, while she was waiting in front of a building for her next class, a distinguished, down-to-earth, gentleman sat next to her and began talking to her. They stared talking about the weather, what she was majoring in and how she had started at El Paso Community College. The young girl’s name was Frances Rodriguez. The gentleman’s name was Dr. Alfredo de los Santos, El Paso Community College’s first president. She states that this is only one example of how down to earth even the Administration was back in those days. 46 years later, that young girl, now Frances Moreno, is still very much part of the EPCC family. She was fortunate to start working at the college as a Work-Study employee, and later obtaining employment with the Financial Aid Department. While working with the Financial Aid Department she flourished from being a clerk, to being in charge of the College Work-Study Program and then becoming a Manager in charge of the Rio Grande Financial Aid Office.

She earned a BA degree in Business, Human Resources, from Park University, and a MA in Counseling from Webster University. “El Paso Community College has played a major role not only in my education and my career, but also in my personal life,” says Ms. Moreno. “While a student at EPCC I met the love of my life, Alfredo Moreno, in one of my classes. He had just returned from serving our country in Vietnam. So, EPCC has given me a great education, exciting professional opportunities and a husband.”

Ms. Moreno retired from EPCC in 2006 but couldn’t stay away for long. She came back on a part-time basis and is currently a Counselor at the Mission del Paso Campus. Her duties are to offer counseling services to general students and students with disabilities. “I love my job,” she says. “I find it very rewarding helping and guiding students toward exciting careers – especially those students with disabilities.” I have learned so much from them.

The Moreno family-EPCC tradition continued with Ms. Moreno’s four children all attending EPCC. Her daughter Virginia Bustillos continued her education and received a MA in Counseling and her son Joseph Moreno earned a BA in Economics. Even in tragedy, the Moreno’s fervent belief in education has become evident. Two of the Moreno children, Bernadette and Patrick, tragically lost their lives. In their memory, the Patrick and Bernadette Memorial Scholarship was established to assist EPCC students majoring in Business and Art. “There is a special scholarship named after two extraordinary children that has helped and will continue to help those students who need that extra financial push to continue their education,” states Ms. Moreno.

The Moreno’s and El Paso Community College- two inseparable families.

Leo Gamboa

As with so many young people wondering about continuing their education after high school, Leo Gamboa made his decision to start at El Paso Community College. As graduate fresh out of high school, Leo knew very little about college. It simply was not part of the conversation in his everyday world. Nevertheless, he took the big step. “EPCC showed me the world of higher education,” recalls Leo. “Thanks to the amazing service of qualified professionals who did what they loved and loved what they did, my instructors at EPCC showed me the benefits of research, internships, travel, experiences and final success of attending this special institution.” Leo gives special thanks to tutors who ensured that is challenges weren’t handicaps but opportunities for success. Because of these special people, Leo flourished during his years at El Paso Community College.

The opportunities he was afforded at EPCC settled him into the right path at the University of Texas at El Paso and internships in Wisconsin. “The knowledge I acquired during my years at EPCC I applied everywhere I went. In Wisconsin, I learned how to map complex structures ahead of many PhD students thanks to the valuable insight of my EPCC instructors.” Leo’s talents were also evident at UTEP where he used geographic software to develop maps to assess community assets in a region of El Paso facing possible displacement. He boasts, “at every point of my professional trajectory, EPCC has proven me right.”

Leo offers this advice to current and future EPCC students – “See beyond the horizon. Move past anything that may block you from achieving your education dreams. Embrace the endless dimensions of possibility and promise to push EPCC’s legacy further and further.”

Leo’s success story is one of many shared by former students of El Paso Community College. These stories are inspirational and testaments to the importance of El Paso Community College as it celebrates 50 years of serving the educational needs of our community.

Established in 1969, El Paso Community College (EPCC) is celebrating 50 years of improving our community through educational attainment. From the College’s humble beginnings with an enrollment of 901 students and classroom space in the barracks of Ft Bliss’ Logan Heights, EPCC has grown to serve more than one million students and has awarded over 80,000 Degrees and Certificates. EPCC has had a lasting, positive impact that from its founding has responded to the region’s needs.

We are proud of all that we have accomplished in our first 50 years and are excited to continue our legacy of stability and longevity far into the future. We are serving the next generation of students through our Dual Credit programs, which offer college credit to high school students, and can be found in every area school district. Our 12 Early College High Schools, where students can complete an Associate Degree while they’re still in high school, are tremendously successful and boast a nearly 75% graduation rate, which is double the national average. To ensure our students are receiving the best education possible, we are expanding with new buildings or additional facilities at all five of our campuses. These are just a few of the examples of how EPCC is building the future.

In addition to the many events and programs we host for our students and the community every year, we’re commemorating our first fifty years through four 50th Anniversary signature events. Join us at these events as we celebrate our past, our success and as we look towards a bright future where El Paso Community College continues to improve the lives of our students and our entire region.

www.epcc.edu/50

El Paso Texas February 4, 2019 – On Thursday, February 7, 2019, El Paso Community College (EPCC) will hold Staff Development Day. Offices, including Student Services will be closed. All classes will be held as scheduled.

Office hours will resume as regularly scheduled on Friday, February 8, 2019.

Then, in two weeks, the existing Sunland Park eastbound exit closes and the permanent exit opens.

Last week, GO 10 announced crews were targeting Jan. 28th to close the Resler westbound exit ramp (Exit 12). A firm date of Tuesday, Jan. 29th is now set to close the Resler exit. By the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 30th, motorists can expect to have no access to the Resler westbound exit ramp (Exit 12) for approximately three months.

The ramp closure is necessary while crews finish building the westbound collector-distributor (CD) lanes, shaded red in the artistic rendering. When the new Resler exit (Exit 12) is open, it will be accessible from the new CD lanes, as shown, not from the main lanes of I-10.

While the Resler westbound exit ramp is closed, drivers are encouraged to use the Sunland Park westbound exit ramp (Exit 13). The North Mesa westbound exit ramp (Exit 11) will also be an option for exiting drivers; however, pavement work is taking place near the North Mesa exit ramp and may result in delays for westbound exiting vehicles.

MILESTONE: The permanent Sunland Park eastbound exit ramp to open

At I-10 Eastbound and Sunland Park, crews are targeting the night of Sunday, Feb. 3rd to close the existing eastbound Sunland Park exit ramp (Exit 13). Motorists can expect the new and permanent eastbound Sunland Park exit ramp (Exit 13) to be open by the morning of Monday, Feb. 4th.

Similar to Resler’s westbound exit ramp, the new Sunland Park eastbound exit ramp will be accessible to motorists from the CD lanes, as shown below in the artistic rendering. Motorists should follow the overhead exit signs to access the new Sunland Park exit ramp (Exit 13).

Feb. 3rd is the target date for opening the new Sunland Park exit. If the operation is delayed, such as due to weather, then it will occur later during the week of Feb. 3rd. Information updates will be shared at go10elpaso.com, as well as on GO 10’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

Scheduled closures and outcomes for the week:

North Mesa
Overnight
Monday, January 28
9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning
• The North Mesa exit ramp (Exit 11) from I-10 Eastbound will be open; however, motorists will only be able to turn right at the North Mesa Street (SH 20) signalized intersection.
• North Mesa Street (SH 20) in the eastbound direction will close between Osborne Drive and Remcon Circle.
• North Mesa Street (SH 20) in the westbound direction will close between Bartlett Drive and South Desert Boulevard.
• The North Mesa exit ramp (Exit 11) from I-10 Westbound will close.
Crews are upgrading pavement on North Mesa Street and moving barrier walls.

I-10 and Sunland
Overnight
Tuesday, January 29 through Thursday, January 31
9 p.m. each night to 6 a.m. each morning
• I-10 Westbound will close completely between Sunland Park (Exit 13) and the North Mesa overpass.
• The Sunland Park entrance ramp to I-10 Westbound will close.
• The Sunland Park exit ramp (Exit 13) from I-10 Eastbound will close.
• Sunland Park Drive in the westbound direction will close between the mall signalized intersection and Machuca Road.
• The Resler flyover entrance ramp to I-10 Eastbound will close.
Detour: Motorists on I-10 Westbound will exit at Sunland Park Drive (Exit 13), follow Sunland Park Drive to North Mesa Street (SH 20), then re-enter I-10 Westbound using the North Mesa entrance ramp.

ATTENTION – Resler exit to close: By the morning of Jan. 30 and for approximately three months, motorists will have NO access to the westbound Resler exit ramp (Exit 12). Motorists are encouraged to use the westbound Sunland Park exit (Exit 13) while the Resler exit is closed. The North Mesa exit (Exit 11) will also be open; however, pavement work is taking place near the North Mesa exit ramp and may cause delays for exiting traffic.