Public Invited to Provide Input in MECC Presidential Search

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Big Stone Gap, Virginia – MECC invites the community to provide input in the selection of the college’s next president as the search to replace current President Scott Hamilton begins.

Hamilton announced this fall that he will retire July 1, 2017, following almost seven years of service at MECC. Initial stages of the search process for MECC’s new president have begun, including the launch of a survey to assist the MECC Advisory Board in the selection process.

The brief survey is located at www.mecc.edu/president-search. A link to the survey is also featured below. College staff, students, and alumni are also invited to complete the survey. The goal is to collect ideas regarding the challenges and opportunities facing the college and the attributes that a new president should possess to meet future needs. The survey will be available now through January 6, 2017.

Mountain Empire Community College is a two-year, public institution of higher education with approximately 1,600 full-time and 2,000 part-time students enrolled in the Wise, Lee, Scott, and Dickenson Counties and city of Norton service region and beyond. The college’s mission is to provide quality higher education and workforce training programs and services that are financially and geographically accessible and meet individual, business, and community needs.

For more information on the search process or survey, contact the MECC Office of Community Relations at 276.523.7480.

 

Click Here to Complete MECC Presidential Search Suvey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Notice of Upcoming Accreditation Review Visit by the ACEN

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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 3:00-4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, in room 214-215 of the Phillips-Taylor Hall located at Mountain Empire Community College, 3441 Mountain Empire Rd, Big Stone Gap VA 24219.

Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted directly to: Dr. Marsal Stoll, Chief Executive Officer

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 3390 Peachtree Road Northeast, Suite 1400

Atlanta, GA 30326

Or email: mstoll@acenursing.org

REV Funding Extended to Assist Students Enrolling at MECC

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Welding _REV

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) Act dollars as part of the new REV initiative. The program provides scholarships to eligible individuals to enroll in a workforce or community college in five essential industries, including health care, information technology, skilled trades, public safety, and early childhood education.

MECC will receive more than $782,000 to assist residents of Lee, Wise, Scott, and Dickenson Counties and the city of Norton who are interested or are currently enrolled in high demand fields and have been impacted by COVID-19. MECC students as well as those considering enrollment, who are unemployed and underemployed, are eligible for a training voucher to pay for the cost of enrolling in a high-demand workforce education program. 

To receive a voucher, individuals must self-certify that (1) they are a Virginia resident (2) received unemployment benefits on or after August 1, 2020 or that they are working in a part-time job with an hourly wage under $15 after losing a full-time job due to COVID-19 and (3) enroll in an eligible program before December 30, 2021. Students and interested individuals who want more information related to eligible career paths and financial assistance are encouraged to visit www.mecc.edu/rev.

Those enrolling at MECC choosing short-term workforce training would receive up to $1,500 applied to their student account. Those choosing to pursue a career studies certificate, or an associate degree would receive up to $1,500 as a part-time student or up to $3,000 as a full-time student, which would cover the full cost of tuition for one year. 

For more information on MECC’s REV program, please visit www.mecc.edu/rev or call MECC’s Office of Enrollment Services at 276.523.2400 ext. 474.

Sen. Mark Warner to Visit MECC for Drone Demo Day

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Big Stone Gap — Senator Mark Warner will visit Mountain Empire Community College on Tuesday, August 15 at 2:30 p.m. in Dalton-Cantrell Hall for a discussion and demonstration of MECC’s innovative Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program. Launched in 2015, the UAV program at MECC — the first of its kind in Virginia — has opened up new frontiers and job opportunities in southwest Virginia. Through the program, MECC has placed itself at the forefront of a growing industry as students gain the skills to maintain, design, fabricate, and fly drones.  

Sen. Warner has been a strong supporter of research and investment in unmanned systems, including driverless cars, drones, and unmanned submersibles. Virginia is home to one of six FAA-approved sites across the country where researchers are testing the safest and most effective ways to incorporate UAV into the existing airspace.

Sen. Warner will join representatives from MECC and Dominion Power, which uses UAVs to monitor and maintain its systems, to discuss the program. Senator Warner will also provide remarks on his work with UAVs in Washington. Event participants will then move outside for a demonstration to “test drive” some of the UAVs.

 

Small Business Development Center to Host SEO Workshops

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Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College’s Small Business Development Center will host two upcoming free workshops for small businesses on search engine optimization (SEO). “Climbing MT Google” will be held Tuesday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Pioneer Center in Duffield. A second session will be offered on Monday, April 3 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Bridge Meeting Room in Gate City. The workshops are designed to increase participant’s understanding of what SEO is and why it is important; how modern consumers find businesses and spend money; and how to improve your SEO and web page rankings. 

State Board Committee Certifies Four Finalists for Mountain Empire Community College Presidency

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RICHMOND – The State Board for Community Colleges has certified four finalists for the position of president at Mountain Empire Community College. The finalists were among more than 80 applicants from across the nation.
 
The four finalists are Dr. David L. Brand of Fayetteville, NC; Dr. Brian W. Van Hornof Murray, KY; Dr. Kristen A. Westover of Martinsville, VA; and Dr. Steven K. Yohoof Roswell, GA.
 
“The Mountain Empire Community College presidency is appealing to an impressive collection of community college leaders from around the country,” said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “The focus our colleges place on student success, our innovative approaches to providing short-term workforce training, and our stability make us attractive to high-performing education leaders seeking their next career step.”
 
     Dr. David L. Brand has worked in higher education for the last 18 years, following a 23-year career in the United States Army from which he retired at the rank of Major. Brand currently serves as the senior vice president and chief academic officer of Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina, a role he has held since 2012. Prior to that, he worked as the director of the Department of Education, a senior civilian role at the U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, NC. He also worked as the senior military training and education analyst at the Center for Army Lessons Learned, based at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Brand previously served as the chief academic officer and dean of the college at Bauder College in Atlanta. For six years, he worked at DeVry University and the Keller Graduate School of Management in Atlanta, where he began as a director of academic operations, rose to become dean of the education center and then the regional director of operations. Brand earned a doctorate from the University of South Carolina; a master’s degree from the University of Houston, and a bachelor’s degree from Troy State University.
 
     Dr. Brian W. Van Horn has nearly 20 years of experience in higher education. He currently serves as the associate provost and dean of regional academic outreach at Murray State University, in Murray, KY, a position he has held since 2008. His MSU career began in 1998 when he served as an assistant professor and director of the MSU Paducah Regional Campus, and then as the university’s assistant dean of regional academic outreach in 2001. Van Horn has served as both vice president, in 2013, and president, in 2014, of the Association for Continuing Higher Education. He holds a doctorate from the University of Memphis, and both a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from Murray State University.
 
     Dr. Kristen A. Westover has more than 25 years of experience in higher education. She currently serves as the vice president for academic and student services at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, a position she has held since 2011. Previously, she served as higher education program coordinator at the University of Texas in Austin, from 2009-2011. From 2008-2009, she served as director of technical programs for the Kansas Board of Regents. In 2016, the Aspen Institute selected Westover for inclusion in the inaugural class of its national Aspen Presidential Fellows program. She holds a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, and both a master’s degree in instructional technology and a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University in Kansas.
 
     Dr. Steven K. Yoho has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, intermixed with positions he has held in other industries. He currently serves as president of both the Atlanta campus and Northern Virginia campus of Argosy University, a position he has held since 2013. Yoho began his academic career in 1992 as an adjunct professor at Marietta College and Washington State Community College. He became the business chair and athletic director of Ohio Valley University in Vienna, WV in 1994. Yoho went on to become associate dean of the Lipscomb University College of Business in 1999, and later worked in the University System office of South University in Savannah, GA, for seven years as dean of the College of Business in 2007, and later as vice chancellor for academic affairs in 2008. He holds a doctorate from Ohio University; a master’s degree from West Virginia University; a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Christian University; and an associate degree from Ohio Valley College.
 
The four finalists seek to succeed Dr. Scott Hamilton, the college’s sixth president, who is retiring at the end of June after serving in that role since 2010.
 
The finalists will each visit the campus of MECC in May, to meet with faculty, staff, students and community members.
 
Mountain Empire Community College, founded in 1972 and located in Big Stone Gap, VA, is a comprehensive two-year college serving approximately 3,800 credit students and more than 1,000 noncredit students annually from the counties of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson, and the city of Norton.
 
About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Since 1966, Virginia’s Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than 252,000 students each year. For more information, please visit [www.vccs.edu]www.vccs.edu.

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

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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 23236.

The State Board may consider mandatory tuition and fee increases of between 0 percent and 4.0 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to budget provisions of the 2022 General Assembly special session. The maximum potential increase equates to a base tuition rate of $160.15 per credit-hour for in-state students and would result in a net annual increase of $184.50 for a student enrolling in thirty credit-hours during the academic year. The community colleges will use revenue generated from any increase in mandatory fees to pay for mandatory cost increases associated with compensation and benefit increases, contractual obligations, technology and strategic initiatives, inflationary cost impacts, debt service, and potential adjustments to student fees.

Written comments from the public will be accepted through July 20 and will be made available to the Board before action on tuition is taken. Written comments may be sent to Rose Marie Owen, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, at rmowen@vccs.edu, or they may be mailed to the attention of Rose Marie Owen at:

Office of the Chancellor

Virginia Community College System

300 Arboretum Parkway

Richmond, Virginia 23236.

State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2020-21 Fees at May Meeting

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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 2020, at 9 a.m. on May 21, 2020, via a virtual meeting. The address for that meeting will be posted on the Commonwealth Calendar no later than 5pm on May 13, 2020.

The State Board will consider mandatory fee increases of between 0 percent and 2.2 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to provisions of the 2020 session of the General Assembly. The community colleges will use revenue generated from any increases in mandatory fees to pay for contractual obligations, debt service, and proposed adjustments to student fees.

Public comment will be received at the meeting following approval of minutes of the preceding meeting and prior to committee reports. The public comment session will be available by via a virtual meeting, the location of which will be posted to the Commonwealth Calendar.

Individuals who wish to speak to the Board must notify, or provide written comment, to the Office of the Chancellor at least 5 working days prior to the scheduled meeting by emailing rmowen@vccs.edu.

All remarks before the State Board for Community Colleges must be matters germane and relevant to the agenda of the day.

State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2021-22 Fees at May Meeting

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Richmond, 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 2021, at 9 a.m. on May 20, 2021, via a virtual meeting.

The State Board will consider mandatory fee increases of between 0 percent and 1.2 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to provisions of the 2021 session of the General Assembly. The maximum potential increase equates to a tuition rate of $158.84 per credit-hour for in-state students and would result in a net annual increase of $55.20 for a student enrolling in 30 credit-hours during the academic year. The community colleges will use revenue generated from any increase in mandatory fees to pay for mandatory cost increases, contractual obligations, debt service, and proposed adjustments to student fees.

Written comments from the public will be accepted through May 19 and will be made available to the Board before action on tuition is taken. Written comments may be sent to Rose Marie Owen, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, at rmowen@vccs.edu, or they may be mailed to the attention of Rose Marie Owen at:

Office of the Chancellor

Virginia Community College System

300 Arboretum Parkway

Richmond, Virginia 23236.

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

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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 23236.

The State Board will consider mandatory tuition and feeincreases of between 0 percent and 4.0 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to budget provisions of the 2022General Assembly special session. The maximum potential increase equates to a base tuition rate of $160.15 per credit-hour for in-state students and would result in a net annual increase of$184.50 for a student enrolling in thirty credit-hours during the academic year. The community colleges will use revenue generated from any increase in mandatory fees to pay formandatory cost increases associated with compensation and benefit increases, contractual obligations, technology and strategic initiatives, inflationary cost impacts, debt service, and potential adjustments to student fees.

Written comments from the public will be accepted through May 18 and will be made available to the Board before action on tuition is taken. Written comments may be sent to Rose Marie Owen, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, at rmowen@vccs.edu, or they may be mailed to the attention of Rose Marie Owen at:

Office of the Chancellor

Virginia Community College System

300 Arboretum Parkway

Richmond, Virginia 23236.

 

 

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

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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 23236.

The State Board traditionally considers tuition and fee increases during its May meeting, but the Board delayed action on the matter until after the General Assembly and Governor conclude their deliberations on the State Budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

At its July meeting, the State Board will consider mandatory tuition and fee increases of between 0percent and 4.7 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to budget provisions of the 2023 General Assembly. The maximum potential increase equates to a tuition and education and general fee rate of $161.25per credit-hour for in-state students and would result in a net annual increase of $217 for a student enrolling in thirty credit-hours during the academic year. The community colleges will use revenue generated from any increase in mandatory fees to pay for mandatory cost increases associated with compensation and benefit increases, contractual obligations, technology and strategic initiatives, inflationary cost impacts, debt service, and potential adjustments to student fees.

Written comments from the public will be accepted through July 19 and will be made available to the Board before action on tuition is taken. Written comments may be sent to Rose Marie Owen, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, at rmowen@vccs.edu, or they may be mailed to the attention of Rose Marie Owen at:

Office of the Chancellor

Virginia Community College System

300 Arboretum Parkway

Richmond, Virginia 23236

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

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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 Arboretum Place, Richmond, VA 23236. 

The State Board will consider mandatory tuition and fee increases of between 0 percent and 4.7 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to budget provisions of the 2023 General Assembly. The maximum potential increase equates to a tuition and education and general fee rate of $161.25 per credit hour for in-state students and would result in a net annual increase of $217 for a student enrolling in thirty credit hours during the academic year. The community colleges will use revenue generated from any increase in mandatory fees to pay for mandatory cost increases associated with compensation and benefit increases, contractual obligations, technology, and strategic initiatives, inflationary cost impacts, debt service, and potential adjustments to student fees.

Written comments from the public will be accepted through May 17 and will be made available to the Board before action on tuition is taken. Written comments may be sent to Rose Marie Owen, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, at rmowen@vccs.edu.

State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2024-25 Tuition and Fees

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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 2024, at 9 a.m. on May 16, 2024, at the Virginia Community College System, System Office, 300 Arboretum Place, Richmond, VA 23236.

The State Board will consider mandatory tuition and fee increases of between  one percent and 4.9 percent for undergraduate in-state students and between 3.6 percent and 6.1 percent for out-state students, subject to budget provisions of the 2024 General Assembly. The community colleges will use revenue generated  for cost increases associated with compensation and benefit increases, contractual obligations, technology, strategic initiatives, inflationary cost impacts, debt service, and potential adjustments to student fees.

Written comments from the public will be accepted through May 15 and will be made available to the Board before action on tuition is taken. Written comments may be sent to Rose Marie Owen, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, at rmowen@vccs.edu, or they may be mailed to the attention of Rose Marie Owen at:

Office of the Chancellor

Virginia Community College System

300 Arboretum Parkway

Richmond, Virginia 23236

State Board for Community Colleges to Set 2018-2019 Tuition and Fees at May Meeting

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Richmond – 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 2018, at 9 a.m., May 17, 2018, at 300 Arboretum Place, Richmond, Va. The State Board will consider tuition and mandatory fee increases of between 1 percent and 3 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to further actions of the General Assembly.  The community colleges would use the revenue generated from the tuition increase to pay for:

  • Increased state employee fringe benefit costs;
  • Operation and maintenance of new buildings;
  • Technology infrastructure upgrades;
  • Contractual obligations;
  • Investments in strategic initiatives to improve student success.

STEM Pathways in Career Education SUMMER INSTITUTE

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STEM Pathways in Career Education SUMMER INSTITUTE-1

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 all educational staff seeking licensure renewal courses. We have 30 spots available with funding support! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand your teaching toolkit. Click here to download application.

 

Student Refunds Delayed Due to Weather Closure

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Due to the college’s closure for inclement weather, student financial aid refunds will be delayed. Refunds normally received by students during the first week of March, will now be received during the third week of March. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Students Receiving Scam Telephone Calls

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It has been brought to our attention that some students have received phone calls informing them they owe tuition and will be dropped from classes on Friday. The number these calls are originating from is 877-343-9460. These calls are not originating from or associated with Mountain Empire Community College. If you receive a call such as this, do not give the caller any information and disconnect the call. If you owe tuition, you will be notified via email from an mecc.edu email address. No one from MECC should call you and ask you for personal information unless they are responding to an inquiry you initiated.

 

If you have questions, please contact Enrollment Services at 523-2400 ext 474.

 

Surface, Underground Mine Foreman Classes Offered

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Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College will offer continuing education classes for both Surface and Underground Mine Foreman in June. Virginia Surface Mine Foreman Continuing Education Class will be held Saturday, June, 24 in Phillips-Taylor Hall Room 219 from 8 a.m. to noon. The Virginia Underground Mine Foreman Continuing Education Class will follow from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The class fee is $40 for each session. For more information or to register, call 276.523.2400 ext. 372. or ext. 225.

Tickets Available for MECC Foundation Event Honoring Karen K. Hall

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Karen K. HallThe Mountain Empire Community College Foundation will induct Karen K. Hall into its Hall of Honor at the 2016 Spring Gala.

The 2016 gala, titled, “Heart of Gold” will be held on the Mountain Empire Community College campus Saturday, April 30, at 6 p.m. The evening will begin with a reception in the Slemp Commons of Phillips-Taylor Hall at 6 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner in the Goodloe Center at 6:45 p.m. A short recognition program will follow dinner. Musical entertainment will be provided by Michael Trigiani.

Hall of Honor Inductee, Karen K. Hall, will be recognized for her dedicated service to Mountain Empire Community College and to the community.  Proceeds from the event will establish the Karen K. Hall Student Success Fund. The primary use of this new fund will be to support the Great Expectations program at MECC, which helps current and former foster youth explore career possibilities, get enrolled, and complete college and financial aid applications. Great Expectations coaches also work with enrolled students to ensure their success in community college and beyond, connecting them as needed with tutors, scholarship opportunities, community resources, and other sources of support.

Tickets to the gala are $75 each and may be purchased by visiting www.meccfoundation.org, calling Jeri Bledsoe at (276) 523-2400, ext. 287, or by e-mailing her at jbledsoe@mecc.edu.

Donations to the Karen K. Hall Student Success Fund may be mailed to MECC Foundation, 3441 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, VA, 24219. Please make checks payable to MECC Foundation and indicate in the memo section of your check “Karen K. Hall Student Success Fund”.

For more information on the event, or to purchase tickets, please visit the Mountain Empire Community College Foundation website at www.meccfoundation.org.

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

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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 region, while building local workforce skills and opportunities for well-paying jobs in the growing solar energy sector.

The announcement comes at a critical time in Southwest Virginia, which was already economically stressed from the coal industry’s decline prior to the current Covid-driven recession. Additionally, today is the first day of the annual Southwest Virginia Economic Forum, where the idea for the Solar Workgroup began in 2015. Since then, the workgroup has boosted enthusiasm for solar energy in the historic coalfield region and laid the groundwork to grow solar development through public outreach, research, training and policy. Last year, eight Southwest Virginia communities achieved national recognition through SolSmart designation for their initiatives to encourage growth of the local solar market. 

The new solar partnership — an alliance of nonprofit, state government, educational and private sector entities that is unique in the Central Appalachia region — will take these efforts to the next level. The partners are working to achieve significant goals over the next three years, including the construction of 10 megawatts of solar in the coalfield region by the end of 2023, and the creation of 15 new, full-time jobs in solar construction, sales and marketing, entrepreneurship and small business development.

“Secure Futures brings innovative solutions for solar customers and a track record of excellent customer service to the partnership,” said Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager for Appalachian Voices, a co-convener of the workgroup. “We are excited to work with a team so dedicated to ensuring that the economic benefits of the solar industry come to Southwest Virginia.”

“We applaud the Solar Workgroup for seeking to bring solar jobs into the region, offering well-paying jobs in a rapidly growing industry that falls into the category of essential services in today’s pandemic environment,” said Tony Smith, CEO of Secure Futures, based in Staunton, Va. “In order to help ensure that these jobs come to Southwest Virginia, we need to work collaboratively with the incumbent electric utilities — including APCo, Old Dominion Power and Powell Valley Electric Cooperative — to apply the standards and expectations of the 2019 Electric Co-op Net Metering legislation and the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act. Key to our work will be solar Power Purchase Agreements and net metering solutions for commercial-scale customers.”

Secure Futures will provide start-up funds for Lonesome Pine Solar and hire a Southwest-Virginia-based project coordinator. Additionally, Secure Futures is awarding a $50,000 grant to Mountain Empire Community College to fund solar installation apprenticeships and faculty mentoring. Lonesome Pine Solar will employ graduates of the college’s programs and provide the installation services for the partnership’s projects. 

“Mountain Empire Community College is excited about the partnership and opportunity to bring more solar installation projects to our service region,” said Dr. Kristen Westover, president of MECC. “The partnership will provide MECC’s Energy Technology program students and graduates with incredible new hands-on opportunities in solar installation.”

Securing Solar For Southwest Virginia builds on the established partnership between Secure Futures and Lonesome Pine Solar, LLC, headquartered in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. 

“I’m pleased and honored to join this innovative business model to establish local solar power businesses where none currently exist,” said Glen “Skip” Skinner, president and manager of Lonesome Pine Solar. “In partnership with Mountain Empire Community College, Lonesome Pine Solar hopes to help students move from the academic world to applying their knowledge and skills developed to become gainfully employed in the solar industry, a new economy for Southwest Virginia.”

“This partnership directly contributes to our Clean Energy Virginia efforts. While we continue to advance the renewable energy portfolio to meet the goals outlined in the Virginia Clean Economy Act, organizations like the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia play a vital role in fostering these opportunities,” said John Warren, director of the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. “DMME is glad to be a part of this group to also identify workforce development needs and help to create new jobs in the clean energy marketplace.” 

“This innovative and strategic collaboration promises to accelerate solar development across our region and wouldn’t be possible without coordination among private sector, education, nonprofit and government partners. This partnership will provide building owners a real opportunity to leverage the advantages of solar while supporting and growing the local economy,” said Bryan Phipps, vice president and chief development officer at People Inc., a co-convener of the workgroup. 

Nonprofits, businesses and local governments interested in installing solar sign up for an initial consultation, register for an interested building owner webinar on September 30, and find more information at swvasolar.org/securing-solar. Individuals interested in potential training opportunities with Mountain Empire Community College and Lonesome Pine Solar can sign up for future announcements at the same link.

 

Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia 

The Solar Workgroup is comprised of nonprofit and community action agencies, colleges, state agencies, planning district commissions, and other interested citizens and businesses seeking to develop a renewable energy industry cluster in the coalfield counties of Virginia. The Workgroup is co-convened by the UVA-Wise Office of Economic Development & Engagement, People Inc., and Appalachian Voices, with facilitation from Dialogue + Design Associates.

 

Secure Futures, LLC

As a market and policy leader, Secure Futures builds, owns, manages and funds affordable Resilient Solar Solutions® for hospitals, schools and businesses. The company combines state-of–the-art solar technology with an innovative business model to make commercial scale solar readily affordable in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, helping customers to realize the economic, environmental, and community benefits of solar energy.  In 2017, Secure Futures became a Certified B Corporation®.

Update on MECC preparations for COVID-19 outbreak

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Dear Mountain Empire College Community,

I want to be sure to keep you abreast of the latest news and decisions regarding COVID-19 and the potential spread of the virus. As of March 11, 2020 at 5:00 PM, there were 9 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Virginia. The Virginia Governor’s Office confirmed this morning that all 9 of those cases can be traced to a source such as foreign travel, and those infected did not contract the virus through sustained community transmission. At this time, the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management have both reported that there are no cases of sustained community transmission of COVID-19 in Virginia. The Governor has not declared an emergency. Tennessee saw its first reported case of COVID-19 on March 6th, and has less than 10 confirmed cases at this time. Kentucky also has at least 8 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

This afternoon, Northern Virginia Community College, Germanna Community College, The University of Virginia, and UVA- Wise made the difficult decisions to either suspend coursework and/or move coursework online. This is an option MECC may need to exercise in the future, and we are preparing our services and campus for this possibility. Our campus demographics do not mirror these institutions.  We are not in Northern Virginia; we do not have dorms, nor do we have a significant population of international students. We plan to continue to be hyper-vigilant in promoting COVID-19 protocols, monitor the situation and continue to plan for a disruption in courses and services with the Emergency Management Team.

While this news is not cause for panic, we must continue to be diligent in preparing for a possible regional outbreak. Please continue to prevent the spread of infectious disease through adherence to CDC infection control protocols such as handwashing, hygiene and household sanitation. This is a rapidly evolving issue. Facts about the status of the virus, what we know about it, CDC guidance on best practices and the number of people impacted are all changing hour to hour. MECC’s Administration and Emergency Management Team are monitoring the situation closely and will keep you informed via email, campus alerts, our website and social media outlets if there is a decision to change MECC operations.

 

Stay Healthy!

Kristen Westover, Ed.D.

President, Mountain Empire Community College

UVA Wise and MECC Partner to Expand College Access

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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 access for rural students to attain higher education success. This summer begins the year-long data analysis and pilot development phase. In fall 2023, the colleges will implement pilot programs.

“Our goal is to strengthen the pathways from MECC to UVA Wise and increase equity in education. The ultimate goal is to have more people in this region with degrees. We believe there are several different paths for success,” UVA Wise Provost Trisha Folds-Bennett said.

“A significant number of students from our region come to MECC as their first step toward attainment of a bachelor’s degree,” Mountain Empire Community College President Kristen Westover said. “Building on the strong foundation that the AIMS program provides, the data captured from this research will assist MECC and UVA Wise in identifying and removing barriers to success, empowering us to enhance the student experience, and ultimately increasing the success of those students in our region who desire to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.”

The grant also hopes to explore ways to improve student success in earning business and technology degrees because the job opportunities in these areas are predicted to expand exponentially in the next five to 10 years. Another focus of the project is helping address the critical shortage in nurses and teachers by making it easier for students to earn bachelor’s degrees in those areas. For some careers, an associate’s degree is the right choice but for others a bachelor’s degree is a better fit, Folds-Bennett said.

“Having more people with bachelor’s degrees will help us build a stronger workforce, attract more businesses, and encourage students to stay in the region for education and work. It will help us create an engine for economic vitality in the region,” Folds-Bennett said.

The grant hopes to address the commonwealth’s goal of reaching 70% of Virginians, ages 25 to 64, who attain an undergraduate degree.

The 2020 U.S. Census indicated that in Wise County only 15% of adults had obtained a bachelor’s degree. Only 11% of the entire region’s population holds a bachelor’s degree, according to the GO Virginia Region 1 Growth and Diversification plan released last December.

“This research will be a study of the students in this region, acknowledging that if we are going to close the education gap, we have to do it in partnership. We believe MECC is a key partner,” Folds-Bennett said. “We think both institutions will thrive through a stronger partnership and together we can meet the needs of the region even more.”

To build that collaboration, the schools are conducting in-depth data analysis on a longstanding project targeted at transitioning high school students to college graduates—the Appalachian Inter-Mountain Scholars (AIMS) Scholarship program.

“The AIMS Scholar program was a natural fit. Those students are primarily recruited to MECC with the intention of attending a four-year college, but they aren’t required to do so. This data analysis will help us address what’s working and what isn’t. We want to find out how we can bridge that gap,” Folds-Bennett said. “Both schools will be using the same metrics and measures to better understand what encourages these students to continue on to a bachelor’s degree or what doesn’t.”

Established in 2003 at, AIMS scholars are recruited as high school students who earn “C” or better grades, have 95% attendance and no out-of-school suspensions. Only students from Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson counties and the City of Norton high schools are eligible.

AIMS Scholars receive full tuition at MECC for up to three years, 72 credit hours, or completion of their first associate’s degree. They must maintain a 2.25 GPA or higher until degree completion. 

For those students who earn an associate degree from MECC and wish to obtain a bachelor’s degree at UVA Wise, they receive an additional three-year, full-tuition scholarship.

Leadership at both institutions are exploring ways to increase student success by sharing dual admissions and recruitment through advising staff, courses, immersive learning and campus activities. They are also working to improve access to both two-year and four-year programs offered by MECC and UVA Wise.

This summer, both colleges will start institutional research and data analysis which is expected to continue through January 2023.

This grant project will complete a thorough analysis of the success of AIMS Scholars in attaining a bachelor’s degree relative to other students (non-AIMS students) who transfer to UVA Wise from MECC. Data from 2009-2018 will be used in the project from both schools.

The analysis will include figuring out the success rate of AIMS scholars who graduate with a college degree including factors of timely graduation, maintained 2.25 GPA, and the rate at which UVA Wise students maintain full-time status after transferring from MECC.

Once the full analysis is finished, UVA Wise and MECC will develop pilot programs to build on the most successful aspects of the AIMS Scholar program to further improve every student’s success at both colleges. They will work to find new ways to propel students to finishing their degree, including the possibility of shared coursework and expedited pathways. They also will create ways to expand the program to a broader group of MECC students.

UVa-Wise, Mountain Empire Community College Reverse Transfer Agreement Will Help Students Earn Degrees

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Left to right: Dr. Scott Hamilton, MECC President and Dr. Donna Henry, Chancellor UVa-Wise

Big Stone Gap, VA – The University of Virginia’s College at Wise and Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) announced the signing of a reverse transfer agreement between the institutions during a meeting held Friday, Dec. 16.

The reverse transfer program will be available to MECC students who have transferred to UVa-Wise from MECC prior to the completion of their associate degree program. Students who have completed a minimum of 15 semester hours toward their associate degree at Mountain Empire Community College and a set number of semester hours at UVa-Wise may be eligible for the reverse transfer program. Once a student has completed the remaining coursework toward their associate degree program at UVa-Wise, they will now be able to earn their Associate’s degree at MECC.

“Most understand the process in which students take classes at community colleges and then transfer those credits toward a bachelor’s degree,” said UVa-Wise Chancellor Donna P. Henry. “The agreement signed today will allow students to transfer credits toward an associates degree at MECC, which would give those students an educational boost as they work toward a four-year degree at UVa-Wise.”

The reverse transfer agreement between UVa-Wise and Mountain Empire Community College will present great opportunities for our students and represents a new partnership between the two institutions,” said Dr. Scott Hamilton, president at Mountain Empire Community College. We have a great working relationship with UVa-Wise, and this new partnership further enhances that working relationship to benefit all students.”

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise and Mountain Empire Community College have a longstanding partnership in helping students attain their baccalaureate degree through the AIMS Higher Scholarship program. The existing articulation agreement between the two schools is designed to ensure a seamless transition for students transferring from community college to a bachelor’s-level institution.

Mountain Empire Community College has existing reverse transfer agreements with King University and Lincoln Memorial University.  UVa-Wise has a reverse transfer agreement with Virginia Highlands Community College.

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Vote Now to Help MECC Receive $25,000 Grant

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state-farm-logo-assistBig Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College needs help from the community to be selected for a $25,000 grant to support a comprehensive opioid education program in Southwest Virginia, entitled Project REVIVE Appalachia.

MECC was selected as one of 200 finalists in State Farm’s Neighborhood Assist grant program, a crowd-sourced philanthropic program that empowers communities to identify issues in their neighborhoods. Individuals can vote up to ten times a day from now until midnight on Friday, November 4 by visiting http://www.neighborhoodassist.com/entry/1984419.  A valid email address is required for voting.

Project REVIVE Appalachia will provide education and assistance to rural EMS, First Responders, school nurses and school administrators in Southwest Virginia in responding to opioid overdoses and reducing associated deaths from opioid abuse. Funding will be used to assist in purchasing of Naloxone (Narcan), a therapy used to reverse the effects of opioids in the brain and reduce death rates from overdose. In addition, MECC staff will work directly to train EMS, First Responders and public school administrators and nurses in the administration of Naloxone (Narcan). 

MECC Practical Nursing students will provide general community awareness training of opioid issues to public schools, community colleges (students, staff, and faculty), and faith based organizations throughout the region.  Training will address how to recognize and respond to opioid use and possible overdose, dispelling common myths about how to reverse an opioid overdose, and understanding civil liability laws in reporting an overdose.

On Nov. 30, the top 40 vote-receiving causes will be announced at www.neighborhoodassist.com and a $25,000 grant will be awarded to the affiliated nonprofits.

For more information or to vote, visit www.mecc.edu/neighborhoodassist or contact Nora Blankenbecler, MECC, Director, Mountain Empire Rural Health Network, at 276.523.2400 ext. 241.