Big Stone Gap, VA –The woods around Mountain Empire Community College will soon come alive with the spirits of the “undead.” MECC will host its annual Haunted Forest beginning Friday, October 7 from 7-11 p.m. The event will be held every Friday and Saturday until Halloween. Admission is $10. The Haunted Forest is recommended for… Continue Reading MECC Hosts Annual Haunted Forest Event
Big Stone Gap, Va. – Mountain Empire Community College is hosting an information meeting for those interested in applying for a scholarship to attend unmanned aerial systems, or drone, courses this fall. MECC, with assistance from a National Science Foundation Grant, is offering free tuition for four classes that make up the core of the… Continue Reading MECC Hosts Information Meeting on Drone Program Scholarships
BIG STONE GAP – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that Business Technology Instructors Elizabeth Snodgrass and Jane Jones have been awarded the Certified Online Instructor (COI) designation by the Learning Resources Network (LERN). “We are pleased to recognize Elizabeth Snodgrass’ and Jane Jones’ expertise and experience in this growing area of… Continue Reading MECC Instructors Earn Certified Online Instructor Designation
Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College has pledged to join the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) in promoting and assisting entrepreneurial opportunities in Southwest Virginia. The college joined Big Sandy Community College in Pikeville, Kentucky, in signing the NACCE’s Presidents for Entrepreneurship Pledge (PFEP). MECC President Kristen Westover along with Sherry… Continue Reading MECC Joins Pledge to Assist Entrepreneurs
Big Stone Gap, VA — Mountain Empire Community College is excited to announce a new online search tool that assists students and community members in viewing available classes. Those interested in enrolling in for the summer and fall 2016 semester can now visit www.mecc.edu/class to view the list of classes available by subject, location, semester,… Continue Reading MECC Launches New Online Class Search Tool
Big Stone Gap — Police officers are trained to serve in multiple roles – as law enforcement personnel, counselors, and supervisors. However, most law enforcement training programs do not devote the time to train officers on how to serve as effective leaders within their organization and community. A decade ago, Mountain Empire Community College Professor… Continue Reading MECC Law Enforcement Leadership Academy Celebrates 10th Year
Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce the college has been selected by The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program as one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The Aspen Prize is the nation’s signature recognition… Continue Reading MECC Named Aspen Institute Top 150 U.S. Community Colleges, Eligible for 2019 Aspen Prize
BIG STONE GAP, VA – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that the Military Times has named MECC one of the top 20 colleges nationwide in the Best for Vets: Career & Technical Colleges 2016 rankings. The organization made up of Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times focused… Continue Reading MECC Named One of Top 20 Career & Technical Colleges Nationwide in Military Times
Big Stone Gap – Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to participate in the 2018 Mountain Empire Community College Governor’s School to be held June 11 through June 22 on the college campus. MECC Governor’s School is open to public and home school students in the counties of Lee, Scott, Wise, and… Continue Reading MECC Now Accepting Applications to 2018 Governor’s School
MECC To Hold Corn Shuck Doll Workshop Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College will offer a corn shuck doll workshop on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wampler Library in Robb Hall. Corn shuck dolls are hundreds of years old, adopted by early European settlers from Native Americans. These dolls were… Continue Reading MECC Offering Non-Credit Fall Courses in Crafting, First Aid/CPR This Fall
Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will offer an online Principles of Real Estate course beginning in January. Persons interested in obtaining a certification to practice real estate in the State of Virginia should complete the class and take the state licensing exam. The course will run through May. For more information or… Continue Reading MECC Offering Online Real Estate Certification Class
MECC Offers Concealed Weapons Class Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College will offer a Concealed Weapons Permit course Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost for the course is $100. Pre-registration is required. This class satisfies the requirements for a concealed weapons permit, and will cover legal guidelines, safety… Continue Reading MECC Offering Two Upcoming Training Courses
Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College will host two international education travel opportunities for students and the public in the spring of 2018. The trips include an Eastern Europe tour in May 2018 and a Japan tour in June 2018. Explore the intoxicatingly upbeat Eastern Europe on a 12-day whirlwind tour with… Continue Reading MECC Offers 2018 Trip to Japan, Eastern Europe
Beginning July 1, MECC students will have access to financial aid support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. A support specialist will answer your questions when you call 1.844.MECC4ME. This toll-free number will provide access to the new MECC Financial Aid and Student Accounts Support Center anytime you call.… Continue Reading MECC Offers 24/7 Financial Aid Assistance
Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will offer a variety of accelerated 8-week course offerings this spring. Classes begin March 12 and include online and on-campus offerings. Topics in accounting, small business taxes, art, business, management, economics, medical terminology, computers & computer programming, cybersecurity, fitness, customer service, CPR, and psychology will be offered.… Continue Reading MECC Offers 8-Week Accelerated Courses
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College’s Workforce Development Center will offer Basic First Aid & CPR training on Saturday, July 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Phillips Taylor Room 231. The fee for this course is $70. To register, go to www.mecc.edu/workforce and complete the Non-Credit Registration form or contact Lori… Continue Reading MECC Offers Basic First Aid & CPR
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College will offer the opportunity for students to enroll in a Certified Nursing Assistant Program in spring 2018. This cohort program will be held on the Mountain Empire Community College campus Saturdays from 8: 30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from January 20 to April 14. An information session… Continue Reading MECC Offers Certified Nursing Assistant Program
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College will offer a Concealed Weapons Permit course in August. The course will be held Saturday, August 12 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost for the course is $100. Pre-registration is required. This class satisfies the requirements for a concealed weapons permit and will cover legal… Continue Reading MECC Offers Concealed Weapons Class
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College will offer a Concealed Weapons Permit course Saturday, August 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost for the course is $100. Pre-registration is required. This class satisfies the requirements for a concealed weapons permit and will cover legal guidelines, safety issues, and hands-on instruction on… Continue Reading MECC Offers Concealed Weapons Class
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College will offer a variety of late starting classes for students this fall. Late starting classes begin October 5 through October 22. Classes include topics in Math, Healthcare, Basic Pharmacy, History, Business Management, Office Administration, & Legal Assisting and more. To view the full list of October late… Continue Reading MECC Offers Fall Late Start Classes
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to host two yoga courses this fall. Students may choose from Beginning Yoga (PED 195-01) on Tuesdays from 10:50 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. or Beginning Yoga (PED on Thursdays from 10:50 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Both classes begin the first week in September and will… Continue Reading MECC Offers Fall Yoga Courses
Big Stone Gap — Wise County K-8 teachers recently participated in Mountain Empire Community College’s first-ever Literacy Institute for Teachers (LIFT). LIFT, or EDU 295: Literacy Institute for Teachers, is designed to allow teachers to earn recertification points for professional license renewal. The course focused on effective teaching strategies using literacy skills and storytelling, utilizing… Continue Reading MECC Offers First-Ever Literacy Institute for Teachers
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College will host a Fitness Walking for Life course this spring. PED 195 – Fitness Walking for Life is a one credit course to be offered on Tuesdays from 4:45 p.m. to 5:40 p.m., March 13 through May 5 in the Godwin Hall Fitness Center. Participants will learn… Continue Reading MECC Offers Fitness Walking Class
Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College offers a free Quick Start to College class designed for individuals who have considered college, but have hesitated to enroll. Covering just five weeks, the course allows students the opportunity to obtain three college credits without having to enroll for a full semester at no cost.… Continue Reading MECC Offers Free Quick Start to College Course
Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College will offer a Trac Pipe Counterstrike flexible gas line piping course on Wednesday, May 3, at 8:30 a.m. to noon. This free course is open to students and community members. Completion of the class is a requirement to purchase Trac Pipe supplies. Trac Pipe flexible gas… Continue Reading MECC Offers Free Trac Pipe Counterstrike Course
Big Stone Gap — Are you interested in improving your eating habits and personal wellness? Mountain Empire Community College will offer HLT 138 – Principles of Nutrition as a one-credit online course beginning October 18. Students will study the nutrient components of food, including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. The course will provide a… Continue Reading MECC Offers Health & Fitness Course
Gate City – Mountain Empire Community College is offering a host of music and instrument instruction courses this fall. A variety of music classes, including new lower cost one-credit courses, will be offered at the Big Stone Gap campus as well as Gate City High School. The MECC campus offers day classes in beginning… Continue Reading MECC Offers Music Classes This Fall
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College is offering a host of music and instrument instruction courses this spring. The MECC campus offers day classes in beginning lead guitar. Night class offerings at the Big Stone Gap campus include: Recording Systems Services, Internship in Recording, Beginning Fiddle, Beginning Clawhammer Banjo, Beginning Mandolin, Beginning Rhythm Guitar,… Continue Reading MECC Offers Music, Old Time Dance Classes This Spring
Big Stone Gap, VA — Mountain Empire Community College will offer several music classes for credit and non-credit courses for the Fall 2019 semester. For students who do not want college credit for the course, but want to learn string instruments, non-credit classes are available for a fee of $150.00 for a three-hour weekly class… Continue Reading MECC Offers Old Time Music and Dance Classes for Fall Semester 2019
MECC will offer ACC 134 – Small Business Taxes as on online course beginning March 12. The course will introduce students to taxes most frequently encountered in business. It includes payroll, sales, property, and income tax. The instructor for the course is John Bledsoe. For more information, or to register, call MECC’s Enrollment Services Office… Continue Reading MECC Offers Small Business Tax Course
Big Stone Gap – Months prior to Frontier Secure’s announcement of locating a customer care center in Wise County, Mountain Empire Community College was working behind the scene to make sure the company would have a skilled workforce in place by their August opening. Based on conversations during Frontier’s initial visits to the area, MECC… Continue Reading MECC Partners with Frontier Secure to Offer QuickBooks Training
Big Stone Gap, VA – Dr. Scott Hamilton, president of Mountain Empire Community College, has announced his retirement effective July 1, 2017. Dr. Hamilton joined MECC as president in 2010. He had previously served as the Dean of Instruction at Eastern Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls, ID. A native of Illinois, Dr. Hamilton’s experience… Continue Reading MECC President Scott Hamilton Announces Retirement
Big Stone Gap, Va. – Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) was awarded $15,000 today to help provide educational opportunities for military veterans in the region. The gifts are being made through the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Energy. MECC President Dr. Kristen Westover and MECC Foundation Interim Director Bonnie Elosser received… Continue Reading MECC Receives $15,000 from Dominion Energy for Veterans Programs
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce the GO Virginia Region One Council’s recent approval of a $310,371.84 grant to establish Smart Farming at the Center for Workforce and Innovation of Appalachia (CWIA). Located in the Town of Appalachia in the former Appalachia Elementary School, the CWIA will be a… Continue Reading MECC Receives Go Virginia Grant Recommendation to Support Smart Farming Training
Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College has been awarded a $950,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commissions’ POWER Initiative to establish the region’s only power lineman training program. The non-credit lineman training will enable students to earn a number of credentials to prepare them for entry into an apprenticeship program with the… Continue Reading MECC Receives Grant to Launch Power Lineman Program
Abingdon, VA – Mountain Empire Community College has been named the recipient of the 2016 Southwest Virginia Technology Council President’s Award for the development of coursework in unmanned aerial systems. The award honors an educational institution in the region that has demonstrated outstanding technology advancements toward the enrichment of students and the community at large.… Continue Reading MECC Receives Technology Award for Development of UAS Coursework
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce the college has received the Virginia Community College System 2016 Excellence in Education Award for Innovative Use of Technology in the Face-to-Face and Online Classroom for the development of Southwest Virginia’s first mobile solar-powered energy system. MECC’s SPARC-E (Solar-Powered Alternative Renewable Clean… Continue Reading MECC Receives VCCS Excellence in Education Award for Development of Mobile Solar Energy Unit
Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce the fall 2016 Practical Nursing program cohort. Each year, more than 40 students apply to join the Practical Nursing cohort. Only 25 students are selected based on their academic performance, non-nursing courses completed, and admission testing scores. The Practical Nursing program is… Continue Reading MECC Recognizes Fall 2016 Practical Nursing Program Cohort
MECC Recognizes Spring 2016 Phlebotomy Students Big Stone Gap, VA — Mountain Empire Community College is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2016 Phlebotomy cohort. Students interested in completing this two-semester, 25 credit program are encouraged to apply online at www.mecc.edu/forms. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2016. Students will begin class in August.… Continue Reading MECC Recognizes Spring 2016 Phlebotomy Program Participants
Big Stone Gap, VA — Mountain Empire Community College is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2017 Phlebotomy cohort. Students interested in completing this two-semester, 25 credit program are encouraged to apply online at www.mecc.edu/forms. The deadline to apply for the next phlebotomy cohort at MECC is July 15. Students who need to complete pre-requisite… Continue Reading MECC Recognizes Spring 2017 Phlebotomy Students, Accepting Applications For Fall
Big Stone Gap, VA — Mountain Empire Community College is currently accepting applications for the Summer 2017 Phlebotomy cohort. Students interested in completing this two-semester, 25 credit program are encouraged to apply online at www.mecc.edu/forms. The deadline for applications is April 15, 2017. Students will begin class in June. MECC is pleased to announce the… Continue Reading MECC Recognizes Summer 2016 Phlebotomy Students
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College is currently recruiting employers to participate in the 2016 Job Expo on Wednesday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Phillips-Taylor Hall Goodloe Center. This free event allows employers to meet one-on-one with prospective job applicants, including current students, graduates, and community members. MECC’s… Continue Reading MECC Recruiting Employers to Participate in 2016 Job Expo
Big Stone Gap — 20-year old Mountain Empire Community College student Emily Hjulstrom smiles widely as she recites one of her favorite inspirational quotes: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” The quote is entirely appropriate for Hjulstrom, as her hard work and persistence has earned her a… Continue Reading MECC Student Reaches for the Stars in NASA Scholars Program
Mountain Empire Community College has been notified that a student has tested positive for COVID-19. The student is self-isolated, according to CDC and local public health guidelines. Contact tracing is being coordinated through the local health department in conjunction with the college. Those persons who may have come into close contact with the positive case… Continue Reading MECC Student Tests Positive for COVID-19
Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that Paralegal Studies student Titus Houston placed eighth in the nation at the 2015 Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) competition. More than 1,600 of America’s best and brightest college students traveled to Chicago June 24-27 to showcase their talents as… Continue Reading MECC Student Titus Houston Places Eighth in National Competition
Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College’s Student Veterans Association is seeking teams to participate in a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. The tournament will be held Saturday, November 5 at 10 a.m. in the Appalachia High School Gymnasium. There is a $15 charge per team with all proceeds benefitting outreach and scholarship funds for… Continue Reading MECC Student Veterans Association to Hold Basketball Tournament
Big Stone Gap, VA – Five Mountain Empire Community College students went from hitting the books to hitting nails on MECC’s first annual Alternative Spring Break service trip sponsored by MECC Student Activities. The team traveled to Greensboro, NC and partnered with Habitat for Humanity to rehab an existing Habitat house. Over the course of… Continue Reading MECC Students Participate in Alternative Spring Break
Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that several students enrolled in Business and Information Technology classes recently placed in the statewide Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) competition. Six members of MECC’s Phi Beta Lambda chapter traveled to Richmond to complete in 11 different business categories. Five… Continue Reading MECC Students Place in State Competition
Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College will host the fourth annual MECC PROUD week, recognizing the college’s important contributions to higher education and regional economic development October 16-22. MECC alumni, local businesses, MECC staff members, MECC students and community members are encouraged to display “MECC PROUD” signs in their yard, window displays,… Continue Reading MECC to Hold Annual MECC PROUD Week
Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College will host an information session for the Health Information Management degree program on Tuesday, August 18 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Phillips-Taylor Hall, Room 130. The Health Information Management program is a 24-month degree designed for persons who seek employment in the health information management… Continue Reading MECC to Hold Health Information Management Information Session
