Budget cuts result in 14 jobs cut at Mountain Empire Community College
Mountain Empire Community College president Kristen Westover called the moves difficult steps.
The Big Stone Gap college will see a $2 million reduction in spending while 14 jobs are being eliminated and 20 employees are being reassigned, according to a statement released by the school.
The moves were announced just before the Spring semester started this month. The statement said academic divisions will be aligned into three new schools and refocus program offerings to produce skills for jobs that are high in demand.
Here is the MECC report:
Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) announced a comprehensive restructuring plan designed to ensure the College’s long-term financial sustainability and strengthen its focus on student success, workforce development, and regional impact.
The initiative, “Adapting for Sustainability and Student Success,” responds to the same challenges faced by many community colleges nationwide, including declining enrollment, inflationary pressures, and stagnant state funding. Through targeted efficiencies and realignment of programs and personnel, the plan will reduce recurring expenditures by more than $2 million annually while protecting MECC’s core academic and workforce missions.
“Mountain Empire Community College has always adapted to meet the changing needs of our students and our region,” said Dr. Kristen Westover, MECC President. “This plan is about ensuring that MECC remains strong, relevant, and responsive for decades to come. We are making strategic changes now to sustain our commitment to quality education, innovation, and community service.”
A Plan Focused on the Future
The restructuring plan is the result of more than a year of data analysis, financial modeling, and campus consultation. It will:
• Align academic divisions into three new schools: Arts, Sciences & Human Services; Health & Safety; and Information & Industrial Technologies to streamline operations and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Refocus academic and workforce programs to emphasize high-demand fields such as healthcare, industrial maintenance, energy technology, and information technology.
• Preserve essential student support services, including advising, tutoring, and other support, to ensure students continue receiving the guidance and care they need to succeed.
• Expand partnerships with employers and schools to align training with regional labor market needs and sustain early college and dual enrollment programs that create pathways to career success.
• Invest in innovation through grants and partnerships that bring new resources to Southwest Virginia without increasing costs to students or taxpayers.
Transparency, Compassion, and Community
As part of the restructuring, 14 employees will conclude their service with the College, and 20 additional employees will transition into new or redefined roles that align with the updated organizational structure. MECC is deeply grateful for the dedication and contributions of all affected team members, whose work has strengthened the College and its mission. The College is committed to conducting all personnel transitions with transparency, fairness, and compassion, providing affected employees with individualized support, counseling, and access to retraining opportunities.
“This is one of the most difficult steps any college can take,” Westover said. “But it’s also an act of stewardship—protecting the mission, students, and communities that depend on us. We will move forward together with honesty, empathy, and purpose.”
A Stronger MECC Ahead
The restructuring plan marks the next phase in MECC’s continued growth towards becoming a regional leader in healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing. It ensures that MECC will remain a cornerstone of opportunity and innovation in Southwest Virginia.
“Our goal is simple,” said Westover. “To emerge stronger, more focused, and ready to serve the next generation of students who will shape the future of our region.”
For more information about MECC’s mission and ongoing initiatives, visit www.mecc.edu.
