MECC Students Travel to Richmond for Legislative Visits

Two groups of Mountain Empire Community College students recently had the opportunity to travel to Richmond, and meet with members of the state legislature.  The purpose of the trips was to expose students to the legislative process and give them a chance to make legislators aware of the needs of students and colleges.  The effort, coordinated by the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), ensures that during every day of the legislative session, except Fridays, at least three community colleges are present in Richmond.

Students Mary Absher, Evan Gilliam, Richard Lawson, Deneen Meade, Jenna Powers, Doris Trierweiler, and Dawnyell Wells represented MECC on the first visit to Richmond while Misty Bledsoe, Tina Cupp, Glessie Forester, Tammy Lane, Matt Large, and Brittany Starnes represented the college on the second trip.  They were nominated by faculty members and selected by the Student Services Office. The students were diverse in terms of age, majors, and goals. While in the state capital, they were able to meet with their local senators and delegates, sharing their individual stories and discussing plans for the future with them.

The students were joined by MECC President Terrance Suarez, Vice-President of Institutional Advancement Donna Stanley, Chair of the MECC Advisory Board Ada Vandeventer, and Chair of the MECC Foundation Board Bob Isaac.

"I have enjoyed organizing the trips to the legislature over the last several years," says Stanley.  "Our students have a wonderful experience in Richmond and gain an appreciation of just how accessible our government is to every citizen.  Our legislators are always very interested in hearing about the career goals of our students and how MECC is contributing to student success."

MECC students traveled to Richmond recently to meet with state legislature members and learn more about the legislative process.

(Left to right) Student Mary Absher, MECC Advisory Board Chair Ada Vandeventer, Student Deneen Meade, Student Richard Lawson, Student Evan Gilliam, Senator Phillip Puckett, Student Dawnyell Wells, Student Jenna Powers, and Student Doris Trierweiler

MECC students traveled to Richmond recently to meet with state legislature members and learn more about the legislative process.

(Left to right) Student Tammy Lane, Student Glessie Forester, Student Tina Cupp, Senator William C. Wampler, Jr., Student Matt Large, Student Misty Bledsoe, and Student Brittany Starnes

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