Contact: Melissa Reifert
September 28, 2007

MECC Computing and Information Technology Offers the Unexpected

Darren Manners says without hesitation that the wireless system installed and maintained by the Computing and Information Technology (IT) department at Mountain Empire Community College is the best that he has come across. This is saying a lot coming from the British-born and raised Information Security Officer. His background in IT is extensive, beginning with 10 years in naval intelligence for the British Royal Navy, where he was one of the youngest Chief Petty Officers, and later, experience working for Paradise Computers and with projects for top organizations such as the British Red Cross, Barclays Bank, and government agencies.

Manners moved to southwestern Virginia and began employment at MECC in 2004 after meeting his wife, Lisa. He immediately began working to build upon and improve technology security procedures at the college. Three years later, he continues to work with the entire Computing and IT staff, including Director Rick Campbell, IT Specialists Tim Bartley, Robert Wright, and Joseph Young, and Administrative Office Specialist Jane Parton, to keep technology at MECC up-to-date.

“We have a small department,” states Manners. “However, I really do think we have got some neat technology. I think our technology wouldn’t be expected at a college this size.”

Besides the wireless system, the college also boasts an authentication relationship system, pioneered by MECC’s IT staff. This system is now being used by other schools within the Virginia Community College System due to its ease of use.

In addition, the college’s technology includes remote access systems, which enables students to access Microsoft Office applications on a trial basis. Therefore, students who do not have Office installed on their computers, may access the programs from MECC using user names and passwords.

Manners and IT staff also make use of remote access. It allows them to actually “pick up” or look at an off-campus computer in order to help a student with a machine problem. “Students no longer have to bring a computer in to us for help,” he says. “We can look at their machine from our offices, without them having to come to campus.”

Students, employees, and community members can look forward to a number of new technology initiatives in the works for MECC. In terms of technology used for security measures, the college will soon be installing a camera system on campus. In addition to MECC’s already flexible class schedule, which incorporates both traditional and distance education courses, the college may soon podcast certain on-demand classes. This will add yet another option for today’s busy, multi-dimensional student.

According to Manners, MECC is also looking at creating digital signage on campus, which would be touch-screen and interactive. “As much as we can, we want to allow for on-demand service. The idea that students have to wait for service is old. Sometimes, it just comes down to the budget. With more of a budget, we can create more technology. However, we’ve become more creative due to a limited budget.”

Manners recently became a Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert (CCIE), a prestigious honor in that just over 1,000 people in the world hold this certification. The CCIE exam has a higher failure rate than the State Bar of California or the Certified Public Accounting exam, with an average pass rate of 26% over the life of the program. He credits his family for helping him to achieve this goal.

He also holds certifications including Cisco Certified Security Professional; Certified Information System Security Professional (#85782); Global Information Assurance Certification Certified Intrusion Analyst (#0849), Certified Incident Handler (#1348), Certified Windows Security Administrator (#0467); and a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, just to name a few.

Information Security Officer Darren Manners is part of an IT team at Mountain Empire Community College that works to bring increased security and on-demand service to students and employees. He believes that the quality and amount of technology at MECC may not be expected.

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