Purpose of the Institutional Review Board

The purpose of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to ensure, both in advance and by periodic review, that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in research studies conducted by or with Mountain Empire Community College employees or students, or on the MECC campus.  MECC’s IRB reviews human subject research proposals to ensure that the rights and welfare of human subjects are protected by minimizing risks and ensuring informed and voluntary participation.

The IRB does not assume the role of evaluating the soundness of the proposed research study, the merits of the research design, or the potential contribution of the research to scholarly literature. Rather, the IRB is charged with evaluating each project’s compliance with ethical standards in regard to issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, and risk to participants.

Persons Affected

  • Employees and students of MECC who engage in human subject and/or scientific research under the auspices of the college.
  • Individuals and/or other organizations or institutions seeking to conduct research using MECC resources.

* If you are unsure whether or not your project requires IRB review, contact MECC’s IRB Manager.

Natasha Tabor, MBA Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness (IRB Manager)
Dr. Dale Lee, Ed.D. Disability Services and Student Leadership Counselor (Chair)
Dr. Dan Roop, Ed.D. Principal, Wise County Alt. Ed. Center (Non-Affiliated Member)
Christy Lee, MSAH Instructional Technologist
Dr. Bethany Arnold, Ed.D. Professor of English and Education
Nora Blankenbecler, MBA

HIM Program Director

Deborah Wright, M.S.

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Kristy Hall, M.S.

Interim Vice President, Financial & Administrative Services