BUFFALO—ECC Pathways to Success High School Equivalency instructor Laurie Slawson was recently honored by the Honorable Frederic J. Marrano, chief judge of the Lackawanna City Court, with the “Educator of the Year” award on May 15, 2017. 

Slawson has helped more than 50 individuals in the Lackawanna community obtain their High School Equivalency diploma. Classes are held at City Hall through partnerships with the Lackawanna City Court, Erie Community College Pathways to Success Department and Maryvale Adult Education Division. 

This partnership was formed 21 years ago by the Honorable Frederic J. Marrano and ECC Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Richard C. Washousky to allow more accessible education opportunities to individuals involved in the treatment court program. The HSE program in Lackawanna has the highest success rate of all 8^th  Judicial Courts in Erie and Niagara Counties.

ECC’s Pathways to Success pre-collegiate studies program provides free 10-week, non-credit instruction for adults planning to start college, but aren’t ready academically or need to improve their math and reading skills before taking the ECC placement test. In addition to college reading, writing and mathematics sessions, the program also includes individual assistance with financial aid, career exploration and the ECC application process.

To qualify for the program, students must be at least 17 years old and possess a high school diploma or equivalency. For more information, call (716) 851-1109 or visit www.ecc.edu.

Since 1946, Erie Community College has met the needs of a diverse student body while contributing to the economic vitality of Western New York. As a member of the state’s SUNY system, the three-campus college provides flexible, affordable and accessible educational programs in an accommodating academic environment. Equipped with the knowledge of these programs, ECC’s faculty, staff and students strive to enrich their host communities through skill, service and partnership. For more information, visit www.ecc.edu or call (716) 851-1ECC.