Contact: Sharon Fisher
January 11, 2008

Lindsey Wilson College sets up office on MECC campus

First came the convenience of acquiring a bachelor’s or master’s degree in counseling through Lindsey Wilson College on the Mountain Empire Community College campus. Now, students enrolled in the program or those interested in finding out more about these opportunities have an advisor conveniently located at MECC.

Beth Boggs is Lindsey Wilson’s new Enrollment Coordinator. Her office is located in Robb Hall, Room 207, with hours Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. She can be reach at 276-523-2400, ext 301 or call her cell phone at 276-708-1975. Boggs can also be contacted at boggsb@lindsey.edu or bboggs@me.vccs.edu.

According to Tommie Ann Saragas, Regional Enrollment Director for Lindsey Wilson College, “The interest in the LWC programs has been incredible. The students that began the undergraduate and graduate courses in the fall report that the experience has been positive and ‘what they have been waiting for’. By partnering with MECC, Lindsey Wilson can deliver its strongest programs and continue to meet the mission of enabling higher qualified mental health professionals to serve in the Appalachian Mountains.”

LWC’s School of Professional Counseling is offering a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Counseling and a Masters of Education in Mental Health Counseling and Human Development to southwest Virginia. All of the coursework is taught in a live instruction format on MECC’s campus in Big Stone Gap. Faculty from Lindsey Wilson travel to MECC each weekend to teach classes on Friday night and Saturday. This delivery method ensures a personal experience for each student, and allows the instructors to build strong professional relationships with the students and community.

Financial aid is available and there are no out-of-state tuition costs. In fact, as a display of the degree of commitment to our community campus students, LWC decreases tuition by nearly half of the price per credit hour as on the main campus.

LWC is located in Columbia, KY. There are currently twelve community campuses located in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia. The programs are supported further by the placement of a full-time Coordinator at each local campus. Lindsey Wilson is committed to becoming a member of the host communities and anticipate long-term relationships with each partnering campus. Ryan Vitatoe, Director of Enrollment, has been quoted as saying, “We are in this for the long-haul. We are going to kick off our shoes, put our feet on the coffee table, and make this home.”

Saragas continues, “I have had the opportunity to work in the MECC service region since March of 2007, as well as to teach the currently enrolled undergraduate students. It has been an exciting adventure and I have built relationships that I cherish. The staff at MECC has been overwhelmingly helpful and encouraging. The students are eager to learn and are looking forward to receiving their degrees in December. LWC and MECC are helping these folks change their lives and communities. It is truly a blessing to be a part of the journey.”

More Press Releases