Mountain Empire Community College, also known as MECC, is a two-year college located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, United States. It was established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Local Advisory Board. MECC is one of 23 schools in the Virginia Community College System. The MECC campus spreads across an area of 95 wooded acres. The college offers a wide variety of degrees and programs in diverse areas of study.
MECC offers an active student life. The campus is home to several student clubs and organizations for the overall development of the students. Some of the popular organizations are Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society); Red Fox Flier (Student Newspaper); and The Troupe (Drama Club).
Students attend Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, VA, a rural site not far from an urban area. The school is a public institution. Mountain Empire Community College degrees go up to the Associate's degree.
The school is known for its programs in office and administration and therapy and counseling.
Applicants to Mountain Empire Community College appreciate its open admissions policy.
There are 3,017 students at the school (as of 2007-2008).
The school reports its educational mission is:
"Mountain Empire Community College functions within the educational community to assure that all individuals in its service area are given a continuing opportunity for the development and extension of their skills and knowledge through quality programs and services that are financially and geographically accessible. Mountain Empire Community College provides leadership in determining and addressing both the needs of students and the economic needs of the College's service area. Occupational-technical education, transfer education, developmental studies, general education, continuing and distance education, workforce development, and community services are the primary avenues through which the mission is fulfilled. To assure that all students have the opportunity for success, the college provides a comprehensive program of student development services."
More complete details are provided below.
Mountain Empire Community College
3441 Mountain Empire Road
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
General Phone: (276) 523-2400
http://www.mecc.edu
| General Category | Degrees | Most Common Majors [see all] |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy and Counseling | 177 | mental and social health services |
| Nursing and Emergency Medicine | 95 | registered nursing, licensed practical nurse, EMT paramedic |
| Office and Administration | 52 | business support services |
| Liberal Arts | 50 | liberal arts and sciences, liberal arts and humanities |
| Security and Law Enforcement | 25 | criminal justice and administration, corrections |
| Engineering Technician | 23 | industrial production tech, electronics tech, CAD and design, mining tech, industrial tech |
| Medical Support and Technology | 21 | respiratory care tech |
| Business and Management | 16 | accounting and related services, business administration |
| Conservation and Resource Management | 13 | conservation |
| Law | 12 | legal assistant |
| Medical Administration | 11 | health and medical administrative |
| Mechanics and Repair | 6 | HVAC |
| Production Trades | 2 | welding |
Number of programs and degrees for Mountain Empire Community College in 2008-2009:
| Degree Level | Total Awarded | Number of Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Associate's degree | 222 | 15 |
| Award of less than 1 academic year | 177 | 1 |
| Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 104 | 12 |
In 2007-2008, Mountain Empire Community College had a total enrollment of 3,017 students (1,918 full-time equivalent).
Students By Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 100% |
| Race | Percent |
|---|---|
| White | 97% |
| Black | 2% |
| Hispanic | 0% |
| Asian | 0% |
| American Indian | 0% |
| Unknown | 0% |
| (Foreign Students) | 0% |
Students by Age:
| Age | Percent |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 19% |
| 18-19 | 23% |
| 20-21 | 13% |
| 22-24 | 9% |
| 25-29 | 10% |
| 30-34 | 6% |
| 35-39 | 6% |
| 40-49 | 9% |
| 50-64 | 6% |
| 65+ | 0% |
Incoming (Freshman) Students by Place of Residence:
(From available data sampling)
| Residence | Percent |
|---|---|
| Virginia | 97% |
| State unknown | 1% |
| Tennessee | 1% |
Retention Rates (2007):
| Group | Returning From Previous Year |
|---|---|
| Full-Time | 52 % |
| Part-Time | 27 % |
The school does not offer campus housing.
(Please refer to our profile of Big Stone Gap, Virginia for details about the area surrounding the campus. Also see our list of other Virginia Colleges).
The school does not offer students a meal plan.
Expenses and Financial Aid:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $ 2,140 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $ 6,343 |
| Books and supplies | $ 1,000 |
Financial Aid:
Mountain Empire Community College participates in Federal Title IV financial aid programs. (The school's OPE ID is 962900)
Tenure Status of Faculty (2008-2009):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Non-tenured and not on tenure track | 26 | 19 |
Salaries for full-time faculty:
Full-Time Faculty (2008-2009):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | calendar year | 1 | * | 0 | * |
| Assistant professor | calendar year | 1 | * | 1 | * |
| Instructor | calendar year | 0 | * | 1 | * |
| All faculty total | calendar year | 2 | * | 2 | * |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
Full-Time Faculty (2008-2009):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | academic year | 9 | $63,493 | 6 | $61,710 |
| Associate professor | academic year | 5 | $60,092 | 7 | $54,021 |
| Assistant professor | academic year | 7 | $49,471 | 3 | $49,700 |
| Instructor | academic year | 3 | $51,511 | 1 | * |
| All faculty total | academic year | 24 | $57,197 | 17 | $55,962 |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Accounting and Related Services, Other
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Natural Resources/Conservation, General
ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician
Electrical/Electronic/Communications Engr Technology/Technician
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other
Industrial Technology/Technician
Mining Technology/Technician
LIBERAL ARTS
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
MECHANICS AND REPAIR
Heating/AC/Ventilation/Refrig Maint Technology/Technician
MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION
Health and Medical Administrative Services, Other
MEDICAL SUPPORT AND TECHNOLOGY
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
NURSING AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATION
Business Operations Support and Secretarial Services, Other
PRODUCTION TRADES
Welding Technology/Welder
SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Corrections
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
THERAPY AND COUNSELING
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions, Other
(Details are provided further down on this page.)
What Sets Mountain Empire Community College Apart:
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| % of degrees in therapy and counseling (vs. all colleges) | Top 10% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in office and administration (vs. all colleges) | Top 12% | ![]() |
| Lowest tuition & fees (in-state) (vs. all colleges) | Top 13% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in engineering technician (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 16% | ![]() |
| Degrees concentrated in limited number of degree programs (for open-admission colleges) | Top 19% | ![]() |
Notable:
Open admission
Accepts some high school credits
Grants credits for AP courses
Offers distance learning
Career counseling
Student employment services
Remedial classes for students
Offers remedial adult education
Offers part-time study
On-campus library
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(Based on an automated mapping of degrees popular at Mountain Empire Community College with government-defined occupation categories)
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