Denver, CO -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/07/2011 -- Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, today announced a growing suite of services focused on student life and success. With students coming from all walks of life across the country, Ecotech’s administration is committed to extending assistance beyond the classroom. Ecotech’s Student Services department, Career Services department and mentorship program all serve as examples of the school’s focus on fostering an engaging, well rounded experience.

As part of that initiative, Ecotech recently named Kim Stromire as Manager of Student Services. Kim and her team help students in all aspects of settling in, from the enrollment and orientation process to relocation plans for out-of-state students. Under her direction, Ecotech provides students with local and community resources, including housing information, part-time job opportunities and more. In addition, Student Services implements student activities and clubs; supervises the Military Strategy Committee and the Political Action Committee; provides campus communication tools; and offers tutoring assistance and advisement.

Under the Student Services umbrella, Ecotech also offers a unique mentorship program for students. The program, MORE (Mentoring Others Results in Excellence), is open to all first-term Ecotech students to help them acclimate into a new school – and, for many, a new city. Since more experienced students have expertise and knowledge about Ecotech, course material and the Denver Metro area, students are matched up to get the “inside scoop.”

During students’ tenure at Ecotech, they will also become acquainted with Susan Pawlak, who Ecotech recently named as its Director of Career Services. Susan is committed to matching students with renewable energy careers that fit their skills and personal assets. She is well connected with sustainable companies nationally and locally and ensures that Ecotech students are in front of hiring managers in their respective fields.

“A school is just a building without its students. We are focused on producing graduates who are fulfilled from an educational experience that meet all of their needs,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “We have built a team that truly cares about every person in our diverse student body.”

To help with relocation, Ecotech has also created a relocation guide that details information about Aurora and the Denver Metro area. That guide can be found at http://www.ecotechinstitute.com/ecotech-location.cfm.

Ecotech Institute will have its first graduating class in June 2012. Ecotech, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, launched in Aurora, Colorado in April 2010 with seven highly practical degree programs and one certificate program that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online. The next round of classes begins in January 2012 and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

About Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, the college offers seven associate’s degrees and a certificate program designed by experts in the industry for people seeking careers in the emerging cleantech economy. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit http://www.ecotechinstitute.com.

About Education Corporation of America
Education Corporation of America is a leader in the post-secondary career school market with current enrollment of nearly 19,000 students.

In addition to Ecotech Institute, ECA schools include Virginia College, founded in 1983, a private institution of higher education that offers non-degree and associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the areas of Health and Medical, Business, Information Technology, Interior Design, Computer Design, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Nursing and more in twenty different cities. Virginia College campuses are located in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama; Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida; Augusta, Macon, Columbus and Savannah, Georgia; Biloxi and Jackson, Mississippi; Charleston, Spartanburg, Columbia, and Greenville, South Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Richmond, Virginia; and Austin, Texas. The Virginia College website is www.vc.edu. Virginia College also offers classes worldwide via the Internet, with student services and admissions facilities in Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa, Florida.

Additionally, ECA operates Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, with locations in Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama; Richmond, Virginia; and Jacksonville, Florida. The website is http://www.culinard.com. ECA also operates Golf Academy of America, with locations in Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego, California; Orlando, Florida; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.