Contact: Melissa Reifert
May 11, 2007

MECC’s SmartStart Summer Program Eases Transition to College

This summer, students who are entering Mountain Empire Community College will be offered a program which helps them have a “smart start” on college.  The SmartStart summer program links two courses often taken by beginning students:  Preparing for College Writing (ENG 3) and the college orientation course.  The linked courses aid students making the transition to college by helping them think about what they may want to do with their lives, focus on strategies for success in college, and develop writing skills, all at the same time.

The program is geared toward individuals whose placement results indicate a need for ENG 3, yet are eager to begin a college program and take College Composition (ENG 111) in the fall.  It is also beneficial because the special section of the college orientation class helps students make decisions about what career fields are most appropriate for them. 

After completion of this summer program, students will be able to enroll in ENG 111, the freshman composition course required in most programs at MECC.  In addition, they will be able to participate in a number of special activities available only to SmartStart students, including free food and field trips.

In order to sign up for SmartStart, a student must first take a placement assessment in the MECC Student Services office.  This assessment will determine if a student is required to take ENG 3 or not.  If a student is required to take this course, all he or she has to do is register for the summer section of ENG 3 (class #35982), which meets from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, June 4 to August 3.  Once classes begin, the instructor will enroll each student in a special orientation class reserved exclusively for SmartStart participants.

For more information about MECC’s SmartStart summer program, contact Susan Bolling at (276) 523-2400, extension 335.  Or you may contact Rhoda Bliese, the instructor of the class, at rbliese@me.vccs.edu.

More Press Releases