Author Archive for: jkilgore@mecc.edu

Big Stone Gap, VA — The MECC Foundation, in partnership with the Lonesome Pine Regional Library and the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Project, is pleased to announce the 44th annual John Fox, Jr. Literary Festival, featuring a presentation by guest author Silas House, on Wednesday, March 4 at 10 a.m. in the… Continue Reading MECC Foundation to Host 44th Annual John Fox, Jr. Literary Festival & Lonesome Pine Short-Story and Poetry Contests

Hiltons, VA – The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will host Grammy-nominated, 2020 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year and Grand Ole Opry Stars, Sister Sadie, for the 2021 Diamonds and Denim Event.    Diamonds and Denim will be held Saturday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the beautiful Crooked River Farm in… Continue Reading MECC Foundation To Host Annual Scott County Scholarship Fundraiser

Clintwood, VA — The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation is pleased to host Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at Clintwood’s Jettie Baker Center.  Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at the Clintwood Town Hall or the Ralph Stanley Museum in Clintwood (cash or check… Continue Reading MECC Foundation to Host Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers in Clintwood

Big Stone Gap, VA — The MECC Foundation is pleased to announce the 45th Annual John Fox, Jr. Literary Festival, a virtual event featuring three renowned Appalachian authors – Lee Smith, Silas House, and Cassie Chambers, on Wednesday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to noon at www.mecc.edu/jffestival21. In coordination with the festival event, the MECC Foundation… Continue Reading MECC Foundation to Host Virtual 45th Annual John Fox, Jr. Literary Festival Featuring Lee Smith, Silas House, and Cassie Chambers. Entries Sought for Lonesome Pine Short-Story and Poetry Contests

Governor’s School is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the counties of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson, and the City of Norton, who have a 3.0 GPA or higher. The two-week program, held annually on MECC’s campus in June, features a variety of hands-on activities in one of several subject areas selected by… Continue Reading MECC Governor’s School 2018 – June 11th – 22nd

Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College  held its 46th commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10 at 6 p.m. at the Big Stone Gap campus.  The Class of 2019 includes 570 graduates. MECC awarded 118 Associate of Arts & Sciences degrees, 182 Associate of Applied Science degrees, and 147 Certificates and 271 Career… Continue Reading MECC Holds 46th Annual Commencement Ceremony

Students who have not yet enrolled for the Fall 2018 semester are encouraged to schedule an appointment with an advisor and register for classes by Tuesday, August 21. Classes begin Wednesday, August 22. New students who enroll after Tuesday, August 21 will only be enrolled in late-starting classes and MECC’s Quick Start program. To schedule… Continue Reading MECC Important Announcement: Class Registration Deadline

MECC is making a few changes to our Home Craft Days annual Friday night reception and Saturday morning Donor Recognition Breakfast in light of COVID-19 concerns. The annual donor breakfast has been cancelled due to COVID 19 spread and the inability to host the early morning event outdoors. However, the Friday night reception will be… Continue Reading MECC is making a few changes to our Home Craft Days annual Friday night reception and Saturday morning Donor Recognition Breakfast in light of COVID-19 concerns.

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. The course allows students the opportunity to obtain college credit at no cost without having to enroll for a full semester. To qualify, students must have… Continue Reading MECC offers a free Quick Start to College class designed for individuals who have considered college, but have hesitated to enroll.

Mountain Empire Community College recently participated in the United Way of SWVA Careers Expo for Youth held at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Abingdon on September 25 and 26. More than 4,000 students participated in the event. The college was represented by Health Science Recruiter and Retention Specialist Sarah Clarkston, CTE Recruiter Vicki Pearcy, and… Continue Reading MECC participates in the United Way of SWVA Careers Expo for Youth

Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce the College has been awarded a $2.2M Department of Education Title III Strengthening Institutions grant.  MECC’s Pathways to Student Success grant will support expansion of academic programs, renovation of classroom spaces, and additional student advising support. The goal of MECC’s Title III grant… Continue Reading MECC Receives $2.2M Federal Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant

BIG STONE GAP, Va. – Mountain Empire Community College announces the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected its unmanned aircraft systems courses for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Collegiate Training Program, or the UAS-CTI. The FAA’s UAS-CTI program recognizes institutions that prepare students for careers in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones. To qualify… Continue Reading MECC Selected for FAA Training Program

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College is proud to announce that student Fallon Fox has been named the 2022 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar for Virginia. Fallon was the top scoring student in the All-USA Academic Team Competition for the Commonwealth. This special award, which includes a $1,250 scholarship is sponsored by the… Continue Reading MECC Student Fallon Fox Earns Top Score, National Scholarship

  Big Stone Gap, VA – Five Mountain Empire Community College students opted to spend their spring break volunteering on MECC’s second annual Alternative Spring Break trip sponsored by Student Activities. The team traveled to Berkeley County, SC and partnered with Habitat for Humanity to work on construction of a new house for a family… Continue Reading MECC Students Participate in Alternative Spring Break

Mountain Empire Community College will host the Inauguration of the college’s seventh president, Dr. Kristen Westover, on Friday, October 19 at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will take place in MECC’s Phillips-Taylor Hall Goodloe Center. A reception will immediately follow the inauguration in the Slemp Commons. Invited guests, students, and members of the public are asked… Continue Reading MECC to Hold Inauguration of College’s Seventh President

Big Stone Gap, VA –Mountain Empire Community College is currently accepting applications for the 16th annual Mountain Music School, to be held at the Center for Workforce and Innovation of Appalachia, July 26-30. MECC’s Mountain Music School is a week-long event dedicated to the preservation and continuation of Appalachian music and culture. Student’s age 10… Continue Reading MECC to Host 16th Mountain Music School

BIG STONE GAP — Mountain Empire Community College and The National Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education (EntreEd) are partnering to bring the ESTEAM Pitch Series to local middle- and high-school students. The live virtual event will take place on Wednesday, March 17 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm EST. The competition encourages students in the Appalachian… Continue Reading MECC to Host ESTEAM Competition for Entrepreneurial Education

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College, in partnership with VFP of Duffield and the Town of Big Stone Gap, will host a free 50th Anniversary Community Concert featuring Grammy©-nominated, multi-instrumentalist and Singer-Songwriter Darrell Scott and the Darrell Scott Electrifying Trio, with local favorites If Birds Could Fly on Saturday, May 14 on the… Continue Reading MECC to Host FREE 50th Anniversary Community Concert Featuring Darrell Scott’s Electrifying Trio & If Birds Could Fly

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will host a virtual Home Craft Days special event this weekend, paying tribute to past craft and food vendors, music performances, and cultural demonstrations.  A two-hour virtual program will be broadcast Friday, October 16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 17 at 10 a.m.… Continue Reading MECC to Host Virtual Home Craft Days Festival This Weekend 

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will issue an indoor mask mandate for all students, staff, and visitors on campus beginning Thursday, August 5, following CDC guidance and a mandate by the Virginia Community College System.     “MECC is committed to the safety of our students, faculty, and staff in making safety-related decisions based… Continue Reading MECC to Issue Indoor Mask Mandate for Campus

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will offer Virginia G3 financial assistance this fall to eligible students seeking certifications and degrees that will lead to an in-demand job.   G3 Scholarships cover tuition and fees for individuals who qualify for state financial aid, allowing students to gain the skills they need for a good… Continue Reading MECC To Offer Virginia G3 Scholarships

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will offer a variety of options for courses for the Fall 2020, with the majority of courses being offered online to protect the safety and welfare of students and staff.  Programs such as Welding, Machining, Truck Driving, Construction, Engineering, and others that require face-to-face instruction will be configured for smaller class sizes to allow… Continue Reading MECC Will Offer Majority of Classes Online for Fall 2020

MECC would like to announce our upcoming Home Craft Days Festival, October 15-17, and new and special offerings for this year’s 50th Anniversary festival! The college has worked with the Lenowisco Health District to implement safety precautions for COVID-19. Masks will be required for this event both in indoor and outdoor settings with the exception… Continue Reading MECC would like to announce our upcoming Home Craft Days Festival, October 15-17, and new and special offerings for this year’s 50th Anniversary festival!