News
Check out our news section to learn about all that's going on at Elmira College.
Grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, Elmira College provides a collaborative and supportive environment that enables students to become active learners, effective leaders, responsible community members, and globally engaged citizens.
The legacy of academic excellence at Elmira College runs deep with a heritage and culture that have been forward-thinking from day one, as the first college for women with a course study equivalent to men's.
At Elmira, you’ll have opportunities that shape your future, raise your sights and equip you with targeted tools and skills to succeed in the professional world. Join a community that’s close-knit, fun-loving, and just the right amount of quirky.
Elmira College makes a private education more affordable than you realize, with a number of ways to get the financial assistance you may need. Our financial aid office can guide you through options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.
Elmira College includes meeting students from around the world, participating in Elmira traditions, completing community service projects, and hopping into a pickup kickball game.
Elmira College provides you with a foundation for future success.
The home of the three-time NCAA National Champion Elmira College Soaring Eagles.
Elmira College alumni stay connected and engaged with the College long after they graduate.
Gifts to Elmira College ensure excellent academic and co-curricular opportunities for generations of EC students.
Check out our news section to learn about all that's going on at Elmira College.
The EC campus map can help you find your way around campus and find the best parking spot.
Looking for a small, close-knit campus filled with incredible, hands-on learning opportunities? Our Admissions Office can help make Elmira College YOUR place.
With over 35 majors and minor areas of concentration, Elmira College lays the foundation for a diverse, cross discipline education, encouraging you to both specialize and explore.
Looking for registration deadlines, spring break or when grades are due? Our academic calendar has all of the important events for this academic year.
Internal dashboard for EC news, events, resources, and more. Log-in required.
Info For
Dylan Jacob ’24, a Business Administration major and member of the EC men’s basketball team, saw the basketball court from a different angle while volunteering as a coach for the City of Lights Hoop Group in Elmira. Jacob volunteered on weekdays and weekends to help the group of 15-year-old students looking to level up their hoops game.
The experience gave Jacob insight into himself and his future career path.
“It was a lot of learning about myself,” explained Jacob. “I learned about the ups and downs of a role with much less control than you think it would have. I got to teach the kids how I wanted to and told them what I was looking for, but once I sent them onto the court, I had no control.”
Beyond learning to be comfortable with that lack of control, Jacob said he had to gain patience, often stepping back and realizing he needed to communicate basic information that he takes for granted as a seasoned player. He also practiced skills he is learning in his business courses, such as creating a practice plan and using data and statistics to assess strategies and make adjustments.
His efforts were noticed and he quickly gained the trust of the other coaches, the students, and the students’ parents. That trust helped strengthen Jacob's coaching as he collaborated with the parents to help his students excel.
“I had one kid who was arguably one of the better players,” he elaborated. “He thought everything he did was right. We eventually worked it out. His parents helped him understand that I was helping him and he came to see that I am good at basketball and that I was trying to help him improve.”
“Dylan nurtured the kids’ skills and their love of the game,” shared Ted Peet, Director of Basketball Operations for City of Lights Hoop Group. “They were able to win some games and their experience was tremendous.”
In one example that Jacob shared, he helped a student from another, more advanced team, relax and relish playing.
“I brought him to play with us for a tournament and I told him to just go have fun. He responded, ‘I have freedom?’ I explained to him that his role on the team is to play and have fun. His mom said it was the first time she saw him smile. He later started to show up at my practices.”
Peet also shared how members of Jacob’s team, who previously struggled to get placements on the high school teams, are now on the rosters, with several taking starting positions. He also shared how Jacob went above and beyond as a volunteer.
“We hosted a tournament about 3 1/2 hours away in Pennsylvania. Dylan had a test or a paper he was working on and didn’t get done until late at night. He still drove down and was up to coach the team early the next morning. The team felt a bit down that day and they were competing against a really good team. Dylan coached them. He brought their spirits up, he got the group humming, and it was amazing to watch.”
“This experience helped me understand what I want to do after college,” shared Jacob. He has chosen to pursue coaching after he graduates as it is “better to start young and move up the chains now, rather than wait until I’m older.”
