Entries by Jason Kilgore

MECC to Host 16th Mountain Music School

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

MECC To Host 17th Annual Mountain Music School

Big Stone Gap, VA – MECC is now seeking applications for the 17th Annual Mountain Music School to be held July 25-29 at MECC’s Center for Workforce and Innovation of Appalachia. MECC’s Mountain Music School is a week-long event dedicated to the preservation and continuation of Appalachian music and culture. Students from age 10 and up learn to play an… Continue Reading MECC To Host 17th Annual Mountain Music School

MECC To Host 52nd Annual Home Craft Days Festival

Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College will host the college’s annual Home Craft Days Festival, October 20-22, featuring the unique music, crafts, food, and artistry of the Appalachian region. The 52nd Home Craft Days Festival will feature two full days of concerts, craft vendors, and demonstrations of weaving, pottery making, grist milling,… Continue Reading MECC To Host 52nd Annual Home Craft Days Festival

MECC to Host ESTEAM Competition for Entrepreneurial Education

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

MECC To Host First-Ever Southwest Virginia Oral Health Summit

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will host the first-ever Southwest Virginia Oral Health Summit, a virtual conference, on September 11 and 18.  The Summit is designed for both community members and oral healthcare providers and will feature continuing education opportunities. Panelists will focus on dental health issues in rural Appalachia, including Virginia’s Medicaid expansion, links… Continue Reading MECC To Host First-Ever Southwest Virginia Oral Health Summit

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, 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

MECC to Host Virtual Home Craft Days Festival This Weekend 

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 

MECC to Provide Internet, Access to Laptops for Former Foster Youth

MECC’s Great Expectations program was awarded a $29,500 grant to provide personal computers and internet access for former foster youth enrolled in classes the 2020-2021 academic year. Great Expectations is an initiative of the Virginia Community College System dedicated to reducing barriers to postsecondary education for former foster youth and helping them transition successfully into… Continue Reading MECC to Provide Internet, Access to Laptops for Former Foster Youth

MECC Trio Director Jessica Lewis Named MEAEOPP President

Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that TRIO Director Jessica Lewis has been named as the President of the Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP).   The Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP) is the regional professional association for TRIO and educational opportunity personnel from Delaware, the District of… Continue Reading MECC Trio Director Jessica Lewis Named MEAEOPP President

MECC Will Offer Majority of Classes Online for Fall 2020

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 Will Offer Majority of Classes Online for Spring 2021

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College will offer a variety of options for courses for Spring 2021, with most courses being offered online to protect the safety and welfare of students and staff.  Programs such as Welding, Manufacturing, Commercial Driver’s Training (CDL),  Construction, HVAC and others that require face-to-face instruction will be configured for smaller class sizes to… Continue Reading MECC Will Offer Majority of Classes Online for Spring 2021

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!

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!

MECC, Rapha Foundation Announce $500,000 Amphitheater Investment

Big Stone Gap — The Rapha Foundation of Norton has pledged $500,000 to support a community outdoor amphitheater on the campus of Mountain Empire Community College.   More than $2M in funding has been gifted to support the project, with the design and engineering phase of the amphitheater expected to begin this summer. “MECC is grateful… Continue Reading MECC, Rapha Foundation Announce $500,000 Amphitheater Investment

MECC, Slemp Foundation Announce Grant Awards for Wise, Lee K-12 Teachers, MECC Instructors

Big Stone Gap – The Mountain Empire Community College Foundation, through funding provided by the Slemp Foundation, is pleased to offer the MECC Slemp Foundation Mini-Grant Program for K-12 Teachers in Lee and Wise County as well as instructors at Mountain Empire Community College. The goal of the program is to nurture career pathways in… Continue Reading MECC, Slemp Foundation Announce Grant Awards for Wise, Lee K-12 Teachers, MECC Instructors

MECC’s Cybersecurity Team Ranked 60th in Nation

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College’s Capture the Flag Cybersecurity team finished its season ranking 60th overall out of all Colleges and Universities in the nation and 21st in the Eastern Division.   The team, which is comprised of students Macarthur Inbody and Staci Fraley, competed against 350 schools. MECC’s team ranked above larger schools in… Continue Reading MECC’s Cybersecurity Team Ranked 60th in Nation

MECC’s “Capture the Flag” (CTF) team finished 12th out of 326 competing teams in Radford University’s annual “RU Secure” CTF competition.

MECC’s “Capture the Flag” (CTF) team finished 12th out of 326 competing teams from universities and high schools across the country in Radford University’s annual “RU Secure” CTF competition. CTFs are online challenges that test teams’ ability to solve challenges that relate to the cybersecurity industry. With each challenge solved, a team acquires a “flag,” and… Continue Reading MECC’s “Capture the Flag” (CTF) team finished 12th out of 326 competing teams in Radford University’s annual “RU Secure” CTF competition.

MECC’s “Capture the Flag” (CTF) team has advanced to the final round of Radford University’s annual “RU Secure” national CTF competition.

MECC’s “Capture the Flag” (CTF) team has advanced to the final round of Radford University’s annual “RU Secure” national CTF competition. The “redFoxes” achieved the highest score of any college or high school in the Southwest Virginia category, qualifying them for the competition’s final round per contest rules. Overall, the team finished 18th out of… Continue Reading MECC’s “Capture the Flag” (CTF) team has advanced to the final round of Radford University’s annual “RU Secure” national CTF competition.

MECC’s Cybersecurity Teams Succeed on National Stage

BIG STONE GAP, Va. – Mountain Empire Community College’s “Capture the Flag” (CTF) team, comprised of cybersecurity students, has placed second out of all Virginia community colleges and 18th out of 185 teams in the nation at two recent competitive events. MECC’s CTF team for these events were students Macarthur Inbody (captain), Staci Fraley, Danielle… Continue Reading MECC’s Cybersecurity Teams Succeed on National Stage

Mountain Empire and Germanna Community Colleges Host Free Continuing Education Course for Dental Professionals.

Mountain Empire and Germanna Community Colleges are hosting a free continuing education course for dental professionals! This CE is designed to learn more about dental auxiliary options, specifically the new collaborative DA-II training offered at both campuses. This credential is open to any Virginia licensed RDH or CDA.  The CE event will be either online… Continue Reading Mountain Empire and Germanna Community Colleges Host Free Continuing Education Course for Dental Professionals.

Mountain Empire Community College Foundation Announces Captain Russell E. Cooper Memorial Endowed Buccaneer Scholarship

The Captain Russell E. Cooper Buccaneer Endowed Scholarship will benefit students from Wise County in any discipline. Students may be recent graduates or adults returning to college. “I believe Russell had great potential and didn’t get the opportunity to fulfill it.“ said Kyle Cooper. “Hopefully, this scholarship will help someone achieve theirs.”  Russell was born… Continue Reading Mountain Empire Community College Foundation Announces Captain Russell E. Cooper Memorial Endowed Buccaneer Scholarship

Mountain Empire Community College Recognized in Military Times 2023 Best for Vets: Colleges Rankings

Big Stone Gap, VA. – Mountain Empire Community College is proud to announce its inclusion in the prestigious Military Times 2023 Best for Vets: College’s rankings.  Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges is the largest and most comprehensive annual ranking of schools for military service members and veterans. Each year, schools are evaluated based on… Continue Reading Mountain Empire Community College Recognized in Military Times 2023 Best for Vets: Colleges Rankings

Mountain Empire Community College to Host Trip to England, Ireland, & Scotland in 2020

Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College will lead an international travel excursion to England, Ireland, & Scotland in May 2020. The trip is open to students and community members. This 10-day trip will feature stops in London, Dublin, Edinburgh and visits to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, St. Andrews and much more. The majority of… Continue Reading Mountain Empire Community College to Host Trip to England, Ireland, & Scotland in 2020

Mountain Empire Community College to Offer Free Drone Operator/GIS Classes

BIG STONE GAP, Va. – Mountain Empire Community College will offer free online courses in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and geographic information systems (GIS) during its Summer 2020 semester. MECC, in partnership with Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development and its Community Development Block Grant program designed to bolster UAS training in Southwest Virginia,… Continue Reading Mountain Empire Community College to Offer Free Drone Operator/GIS Classes

Mountain Empire Community College will hold a Career & Transfer Fair

Big Stone Gap, VA – Mountain Empire Community College will hold a Career & Transfer Fair on Wednesday, February 5 from noon to 3 p.m. in the Goodloe Center, Phillips-Taylor Hall. More than 35 representatives for regional employers and local transfer institutions will be on campus. Attend the fair to ask questions regarding employment or… Continue Reading Mountain Empire Community College will hold a Career & Transfer Fair

Nominations Sought for 2019 MECC Outstanding Alumnus Award

Nominations Sought for 2019 MECC Outstanding Alumnus Award The Mountain Empire Community College Alumni Advisory Committee is seeking nominations for the 2019 MECC Outstanding Alumnus Award, which recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to one or more areas of society, i.e., professional, academic, and personal achievements, civic service, or service to MECC. All living… Continue Reading Nominations Sought for 2019 MECC Outstanding Alumnus Award

Nominations Sought for 2020 MECC Outstanding Alumnus Award

Big Stone Gap – The Mountain Empire Community College Alumni Advisory Committee is seeking nominations for the 2020 MECC Outstanding Alumnus Award, which recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to one or more areas of society, i.e., professional, academic, and personal achievements, civic service, or service to MECC. All living MECC alumni who have… Continue Reading Nominations Sought for 2020 MECC Outstanding Alumnus Award

O’Quinn Joins MECC’s Small Business Development Center

Big Stone Gap — Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that Becki O’Quinn has been appointed as Business Advisor at MECC’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC).  MECC’s Small Business Development Center provides advising, training, and business resources for small businesses, to help grow the region’s economy. Most services are offered at no cost… Continue Reading O’Quinn Joins MECC’s Small Business Development Center

Public Notice of Upcoming Accreditation Review Visit by the ACEN

Mountain Empire Community College wishes to announce that it will host a site visit for continuing accreditation of its associate degree nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share your comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled… Continue Reading Public Notice of Upcoming Accreditation Review Visit by the ACEN

REV Funding Extended to Assist Students Enrolling at MECC

Big Stone Gap, VA – Students impacted by COVID-19 now have until December 30, 2021 to apply for Re-Employing Virginians (REV) tuition assistance to attend Mountain Empire Community College. Governor Ralph Northam has extended the deadline, which was previously December 14, 2020, to appropriate $30 million in federal Coronavirus Aid,  Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)… Continue Reading REV Funding Extended to Assist Students Enrolling at MECC

State Board for Community Colleges may Consider 2022-23 Tuition and Fees at July Meeting

In accordance with Section 23.1-307 (D) of the Code of Virginia, the State Board for Community Colleges provides notice that it may consider tuition and mandatory fee increases for Virginia’s Community Colleges, effective fall 2022, at 9 a.m. on July 21, 2022, at the Virginia Community College System, System Office, 300 Arboretum Place, Richmond, VA… Continue Reading State Board for Community Colleges may Consider 2022-23 Tuition and Fees at July Meeting

State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2022-23 Tuition and Fees at May Meeting

In accordance with Section 23.1-307 (D) of the Code of Virginia, the State Board for Community Colleges provides notice that it will consider tuition and mandatory fee increases for Virginia’s Community Colleges, effective fall 2022, at 9 a.m. on May 19, 2022, at the Virginia Community College System, System Office, 300 Arboretum Place, Richmond, VA… Continue Reading State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2022-23 Tuition and Fees at May Meeting

State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2023-24 Tuition and Fees at July Meeting

In accordance with Section 23.1-307 (D) of the Code of Virginia, the State Board for Community Colleges provides notice that it will consider tuition and mandatory fee increases for Virginia’s Community Colleges, effective fall 2023, at 9 a.m. on July 20, 2023, at the Virginia Community College System, System Office, 300 Arboretum Place, Richmond, VA… Continue Reading State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2023-24 Tuition and Fees at July Meeting

State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2023-24 Tuition and Fees at May Meeting

Big Stone Gap, Virginia – In accordance with Section 23.1-307 (D) of the Code of Virginia, the State Board for Community Colleges provides notice that it will consider tuition and mandatory fee increases for Virginia’s Community Colleges, effective fall 2023, at 9 a.m. on May 18, 2023, at the Virginia Community College System, System Office, 300… Continue Reading State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2023-24 Tuition and Fees at May Meeting

STEM Pathways in Career Education SUMMER INSTITUTE

Calling all educators!  Enhance your teaching skills and empower your students with our ‘STEM Pathways in Career Education’ course. Explore diverse careers and the associated STEM content, gaining valuable insights into their requirements. Bridge the gap between STEM and your content areas, fostering an interdisciplinary approach for primary, middle, and high school students.  Open to… Continue Reading STEM Pathways in Career Education SUMMER INSTITUTE

Unique partnership in Appalachia will bring 10 megawatts of solar, new jobs to Southwest Virginia

Norton, Va. — The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia today announced an innovative partnership with Secure Futures to provide commercial-scale solar installations in the coalfield region that are specifically designed to employ local workers. The initiative, “Securing Solar For Southwest Virginia,” will provide affordable solar solutions for businesses, nonprofits and local governments in the seven-county… Continue Reading Unique partnership in Appalachia will bring 10 megawatts of solar, new jobs to Southwest Virginia

UVA Wise and MECC Partner to Expand College Access

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise and Mountain Empire Community College) have partnered to help students bridge the gap from high school diplomas to college degrees in an effort to raise the educational attainment rate in Southwest Virginia. A $75,000, two-year grant will fund research needed to launch new pilot programs geared for improving… Continue Reading UVA Wise and MECC Partner to Expand College Access

Virginia Women Veterans Week – March 18-24, 2018

The General Assembly has designated March 18-24, 2018 as Virginia Women Veterans Week. Please tag us at #VETEServices and  #VirginiaWomenVetsWeek.   Thank you for your continuous support of Virginia’s Veterans, Service members and their families. Click this link to learn more. Virginia Women Veterans Week 2018