MECC Announces New Vice President, Executive Director of Mountain Empire Community College Foundation

Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that Amy Greear has been appointed as Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Mountain Empire Community College Foundation.

Ms. Greear has served as MECC’s Coordinator of Community Relations since 2012 and as the college’s Interim Director of the Foundation since January of 2018. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from Clinch Valley College (UVA-Wise), a Master’s degree in Educational Communications and Technology from East Tennessee State University, and is a doctoral candidate in the Leadership and Learning program at the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga.

Ms. Greear has served as an adjunct communication instructor at MECC for the last four years. She is a member of the college’s student success committee, SACS committee, and formerly served as the college liaison for the Virginia Community College System’s Professional Development Committee. She has directed the college’s international travel program, leading students to Costa Rica and Japan, with plans to lead a trip to Italy/Greece in 2019. She has served as a volunteer for multiple organizations and events on campus and in the community.

“Amy has a history of strong performance and service at MECC, serving students in multiple roles,” said MECC President Kristen Westover. “As a native of Southwest Virginia, Amy not only understands the unique strengths and challenges of our region, but she also constructs and implements creative strategies to move the Foundation, the College, and the region forward.  We are excited to be working with Amy in her new role.”

Prior to joining Mountain Empire Community College, Ms. Greear served as the Director of Community Impact for the United Way of Greater Kingsport and as the Director of Communications for Kingsport City Schools. She is a former journalist, having worked for the Kingsport-Times News, Bristol Herald Courier and the Coalfield Progress/Dickenson Star. A native of Appalachia, Ms. Greear and her husband Burke, reside in Kingsport with their daughter Maggie.

The MECC Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit organization that supports the mission of Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Foundation projects include scholarships, faculty and staff development and recognition programs, cultural programs and events, campus improvements, educational programs, and other projects.

The MECC Foundation holds the largest endowment of any community college in Virginia at $26.6M, distributing more than $300,000 in scholarships in 2018 as well as supporting the college’s career navigator, tutoring, and emergency assistance programs. For more information on the MECC Foundation, visit www.meccfoundation.org.

-MECC Foundation-