Contact: Melissa Reifert
February 9, 2007

Four New Administrative Staff Members Join MECC

It’s a new year with new faces at Mountain Empire Community College.  In the past few months, Roger Bullock, Lisa Butcher, Michael Gilley, and Ross Santell filled vacant administrative positions at the college.  According to President Terrance Suarez, although these new faces have only been at MECC for a short time, each is eager and ready to contribute to the college’s overall mission: serving its students. 

 “MECC has brought on four new administrators who have a wealth of experience,” says Suarez.  “We are already seeing several exciting new ideas and new approaches.  These fine individuals are a healthy addition to our community.”

Roger Bullock is the new Dean of Information and Business Technology at MECC, taking over the position from Louis Collier who recently retired.  Prior to his new position, Bullock was Chief of the Information Technology Security and Information Systems Branch and Deputy Chief Information Officer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters in Washington, D.C.  He was also an adjunct faculty member at Northern Virginia Community College.  He holds a master’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Lisa Butcher comes to the college from Ashland Community and Technical College in Ashland, Kentucky.  She is now the Director of Student Services at MECC, replacing Bonnie Elosser who retired in December.  While at Ashland, Butcher held a number of different positions including Dean of Enrollment Management, Dean of Student Development, Dean of Student Affairs, and Dean of Instruction.  She received her master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University.

The new Director of Library Services is Michael Gilley.  He fills the position left vacant by John Cotham who also recently retired.  Prior to coming to MECC, Gilley was the Regional Library Director of the Wythe-Grayson Regional Library in Independence, Virginia.  He received master’s degrees from Indiana University and the University of Kentucky.

Ross Santell took over the position of Dean of Health Science and Industrial Technology when former dean Richard Phillips assumed the role of Vice-President of Academic and Student Services at MECC.  Santell was formerly Chair of the Department of Human Sciences at Alcorn State University in Alcorn State, Mississippi.  He holds a Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

MECC will soon add one more new face to its staff.  The college is currently interviewing for the position of Director of Enrollment Services, which was vacated by Perry Carroll due to retirement.

Roger Bullock is the new Dean of Information and Business Technology at Mountain Empire Community College.  He began the position in January.

Lisa Butcher is now the Director of Student Services at Mountain Empire Community College.  She assumed this position in January.

Michael Gilley is the new Director of Library Services at Mountain Empire Community College.  He began the position in January.

Ross Santell is now the Dean of Health Science and Industrial Technology at Mountain Empire Community College.  He assumed this position in October.

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