‘We have to move forward’: ECC inaugurates 13th President Dr. Adiam Tsegai [Video]

WILLIAMSVILLE — On Monday, SUNY Erie inaugurated Dr. Adiam Tsegai as the 13th President of ECC, becoming the first woman and African American in the role.

Tsegai aims to introduce new HVAC and auto programs in collaboration with the Northland Workforce Center.

“This is exciting, I’m so thrilled to represent our college, and being a graduate from SUNY Erie changed my life and this moment is such a wonderful opportunity for the college and WNY,” said Dr. Tsegai.

Students express the need for better support, especially for those whose first language isn’t English, like student Plamedia Kazadi.

“I struggled when I started. My English wasn’t excellent and it kind of dropped my GPA and I don’t want other people to go through the same process as me,” said Kazadi.

Other students want more organization for processes like registering for classes.

“You’re always pointed to one person and then you get …