Gem City Style: Dr. Chris Gray, Founding President of the Erie County Community College

Jessica Hunter

This month, Jessica Hunter sat down with Erie County Community College President Dr. Chris Gray to learn more about the project's continued growth, his role, and how leadership is continuing to prioritize affordability, quality, and logical programming to fit Erie's needs.

Erie's newest educational landmark, the Erie County Community College (EC3), has survived its unconventional birth during the COVID-19 pandemic – and thrived. I sat down with President Chris Gray to learn about his own unexpected path to the presidency, the college's remarkable growth, and its unapologetic mission to disrupt the traditional higher education landscape.

For EC3's president, the journey began not in an office, but in a classroom as a student. "I'm a community college student," Dr. Gray says with a smile, a title he holds with pride. He recounts how he first enrolled at a local community college to impress a girl, a story that took an unexpected turn. "She dumped me about three weeks in, but it was the greatest mistake of my life, because it really opened my world, immediately." This moment sparked a lifelong dedication to education, culminating in his decision to say "yes" to starting a brand new college.

When Dr. Gray came on board in July 2021, the timeline was daunting. Under political pressure, EC3's founding board decided to enroll students immediately. "The absolute chaos was real," he says, remembering the rush to have classes ready by September. But the move was intentional: once students were in classrooms, the college's existence was undeniable.

Since its inception, the college's growth has been staggering. EC3 currently serves over 800 students, meaning "one out of every 350 residents in Erie County is right now registered in class." Dr. Gray sees this as just the beginning, projecting an eventual population of 3,000 to 5,000 students, which would make EC3 the largest education provider in northwest Pennsylvania.

The most rewarding part? The stories. "People say, 'Well, what do you guys teach there?' And I say, 'We teach confidence.'" Dr. Gray shares the story of a recent graduate who was a CNC operator at a local manufacturing plant. After taking IT courses at EC3, he went back to his company with newfound skills and was offered a position in the IT department. It's a powerful example of the community college's promise: "This company is filling these much-needed jobs because they came here and got some base training."

For many of these students, EC3 is their first step into higher education. "We often say students don't know how to college here," Dr. Gray notes, sharing his own story of not knowing what "financial aid" was. This is the core of their mission: to provide the skills and, most importantly, the confidence that allows graduates to academically outperform their peers at four-year universities.

President Gray readily embraces his reputation as a "disruptor." He believes that traditional higher education is built on an "old model that is destined to fail." At EC3, they are redefining the business of education.

One of their key strategies is to prioritize affordability and student-focused learning. For instance, the college's default policy is not to use expensive textbooks, but rather free open educational resources. They also offer short courses – eight-week sessions that allow adult learners to focus on one subject at a time without juggling a full 16-week schedule.

EC3's workforce development program is another prime example of their progressive model. They collaborate directly with local businesses to identify their needs, asking them to project their hiring demands for the next five to 10 years. This approach ensures taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and that every program fills a genuine, lasting need in the community.

The college has also been a leader in dual enrollment, with a $1 million grant opening doors for high school students. The Erie High School valedictorian and salutatorian this year both received their associate's degrees at EC3 before their high school graduation. Dr. Gray is committed to ensuring that even after the grant funding runs out, a low-cost or free option remains for these students, saying, "I don't believe your finances should dictate whether you get a chance to make your life better."

Looking to the future, Dr. Gray is excited about several new initiatives. The college is in the process of securing federal financial aid, which will be a "game changer" for most students. He is, however, concerned about the "working poor" who may not qualify for federal aid but still can't afford college. In response, EC3 has established a foundation to raise scholarship funds specifically for this group.

Additionally, the college has created an emergency fund for students in crisis. "You and I get a flat tire, it's a nuisance," he explains. "One of my students gets a flat tire, their whole life can change." The fund is designed to provide a boost when it's needed most.

Ultimately, President Gray's vision is simple and powerful. When asked to describe EC3's culture in three words, he doesn't hesitate: "Students first, always. If it's not about student success, we don't care." It is this unwavering commitment that will continue to fuel EC3's meteoric rise and transform the lives of countless Erie residents.

To learn more about Erie County Community College or for enrollment info visit: ec3pa.org

Gem City Style is a monthly column featuring an intimate Q&A with someone making a creative impact in Erie. If you or someone you know would make a good fit for a future Gem City Style, email jessica@eriereader.com