E.L.C. Class of 2025 wraps up year with new app
The Eagles Leadership Convocation (E.L.C.) Class of 2025 answered the call to soar as they presented their capstone project: The Perch, a newly developed MCC mobile app designed to make it easier for students and staff to stay connected.
E.L.C. is an academic year-long professional development and leadership program comprising 10 MCC faculty and staff members. As a part of their final project, the E.L.C. members crafted a fully-developed group project focused on identifying a College need – enhancing communication - and presented it to the President's Cabinet.
Making the connection of the College’s eagle mascot, The Perch offers a simple, streamlined way to access campus information, events, and resources all in one place, E.L.C. class members reported. With this project, the E.L.C. team demonstrated how leadership at Meridian Community College means finding real solutions that improve the everyday experience on campus.
This year's cohort included Darren Bane, director of workforce development; Jaterra Hurst, women’s basketball assistant coach; William Davidson, associate dean for institutional research; Casey Holladay, director of social media; Phyllis Holladay, Eagles Scholars Program coordinator and mathematics instructor; Matthew Milner, director of videography and sports information director; Jim Price, director of facilities management; Flora Sumrall, Business Office Management Technology Program and Accounting Technology Program coordinator and instructor; Crystal Webster, director of student accounts; and Marion Whiting, director of housing and student activities. MCC President Dr. Tom Huebner and Dr. Leia Hill, vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the MCC Foundation, are facilitators for E.L.C. Jaycee Butler, Lifetime Quest coordinator and Foundation events coordinator, is the assistant for the program.
The group gathered monthly on campus, delving into diversity and inclusion, legal issues and human resources, crisis and meeting management, and building relationships and teams topics.
The project presentation was the final gathering for the E.L.C. Class of 2025, but before they graduated from the program, they were applauded for their efforts. “Congratulations. Great job, great presentation,” said Joseph Knight, vice president for workforce solutions, after hearing the group’s plans. “An app is an extension of your website.”
Dr. Leia Hill, vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the MCC Foundation, noted the app would not be a replacement of any type of communication tool but an additional one. “It’s one more way to collectively put everything in an easy place for people to reach,” she said.
Holladay, MCC director of social media and events specialist, said the year-long program offered her close up look at the campus as a whole. “I learned a lot and felt professionally challenged in the best way. Hearing directly from the senior administrators, including the president and vice presidents, who advise the president and help lead the college, and gaining insight into how each part of the College operates was incredibly valuable,” she said.
Each recipient received a leadership book, an E.L.C.-branded Polo-style shirt, a medallion, a certificate at graduation, and $500 after program completion.
The Class of 2026 has been selected, and this new cohort includes: Lindsey Clodfelter, director of safety and security; Veronica Fox, assistant director of student accounts; Jawanda Huggins, biological science instructor; Eric Jones, Welding Program coordinator and instructor; Chris King, director of bands; Parker Manley, workforce project manager; James Runnels, systems analyst; Rhonda Smith, college and career navigator; Crystal Sterling, mathematics instructor; and Dr. Tommy Winston, Physical Therapist Assistant Program coordinator and instructor. For more information, visit meridiancc.edu/elc.