PLAQUEMINE, La. – River Parishes Community College (RPCC) and Iberville Parish Public Schools 

are expanding educational opportunities for local high school students through the launch of the 

RPCC ECO Tech Academy at the College's Westside Campus in Plaquemine.

Beginning this fall, the Westside Campus will transition to serve as a dedicated dual enrollment 

location for Iberville Parish Schools, providing students with direct access to college-level 

technical education while they are still in high school. The inaugural cohort includes 35 students, 

who will begin coursework aligned with careers in Louisiana's growing industrial sector.

“We are incredibly proud to launch this transformative Early College Option in partnership with 

River Parishes Community College, offering our students a direct pathway to both a high school 

diploma and a Certificate of Technical Studies,” said Louis M. Voiron, Jr., Ed.D., Iberville Parish 

Schools Superintendent. “By providing specialized programming in high-demand fields like P-Tech 

and Instrumentation, we are empowering our students to graduate career-ready, equipped with the 

technical skills and credentials needed to thrive in our regional workforce and achieve long-term 

success.”

Students enrolled at the Westside ECO Tech Academy will begin pathways in Process Technology 

and Instrumentation & Electrical Technology, two of RPCC's premier workforce programs that 

prepare graduates for careers in manufacturing, petrochemical production, refining, energy, and 

other industrial sectors. Through dual enrollment, students will gain valuable college experience, 

earn transferable college credit, and build technical skills that position them for continued 

education and future employment.

"The launch of the ECO Tech Academy at our Westside Campus represents another important step 

in ensuring students across our region have access to meaningful educational and workforce 

opportunities," said Nicole Joseph, RPCC Associate Vice Chancellor of Dual Enrollment and 

Educational Services. "By bringing these programs directly to Iberville Parish students, we're 

helping them explore rewarding careers, earn college credit sooner, and build confidence in their 

future—all while strengthening the workforce pipeline our regional employers depend on."

The expansion builds on the continued success of RPCC's ECO Tech Academy model. Since its 

launch, the program has provided students in Ascension Parish and St. John the Baptist Parish with 

opportunities to earn college credit while exploring high-demand career pathways through handson technical education. The addition of Iberville Parish marks another milestone in RPCC's 

commitment to expanding access to workforce education throughout the River Parishes region.

At RPCC’s Gonzales Campus, the ECO program currently serves approximately 270 students, with 

between 50 and 60 students each year graduating high school having also earned an associate 

degree in Biological Sciences or Humanities. The program has expanded its offerings beginning in 

Fall 2026 to include a Process Technology Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) pathway, providing 

students an opportunity to begin preparing for careers in the region’s industrial sector while still in 

high school. That pathway currently serves 25 students.

RPCC has also expanded the ECO model at its Reserve Campus through the ECO Tech Academy, 

where 22 students in 10th and 11th grades are currently working toward an Associate of Applied 

Science in Process Technology.

While the campus transitions to its expanded role supporting dual enrollment, RPCC remains 

committed to serving the broader Iberville Parish community. Adult Education classes will 

continue on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with additional programming planned as the College 

expands educational opportunities for adult learners throughout the parish. Future offerings will 

support individuals seeking to earn a high school equivalency diploma, improve workplace skills, 

prepare for college, and pursue career advancement.

The expansion of the ECO Tech Academy reflects RPCC's ongoing mission to increase access to 

affordable, high-quality education while aligning academic programs with the workforce needs of 

the Capital Region. By creating additional pathways for students to begin college early and prepare 

for high-demand careers, RPCC continues to invest in the future of both its students and the 

communities it serves.

For more information about RPCC, visit www.rpcc.edu.

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About River Parishes Community College

River Parishes Community College (RPCC), a proud member of Louisiana Community and Technical 

Colleges (LCTC), is a comprehensive, open-admission institution committed to transforming lives and 

building stronger communities. With campuses in Gonzales, Reserve, the Westside Campus in Plaquemine, 

and the United Way of St. Charles Campus in Boutte, RPCC provides accessible, high-quality education and 

training opportunities to individuals across our region. 

RPCC offers a wide range of programs, including associate degrees, technical diplomas, and short-term 

training certificates designed to meet the needs of today’s workforce. In addition, the college provides nocost adult education services, such as high school equivalency preparation, digital literacy training, and 

English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, empowering individuals to reach their full potential.

Through its innovative partnerships with business, industry, and community organizations, RPCC is dedicated 

to preparing students for success in their educational and career journeys. Learn more about our programs 

and services at www.rpcc.edu.