TRIO Director Jessica Lewis has been named as the President of the Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP)

Big Stone Gap – Mountain Empire Community College is pleased to announce that TRIO Director, Jessica Lewis, has been named as the President of the Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP).  The Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP) is the regional professional association for TRIO and educational opportunity personnel from Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The mission of MEAEOPP is to bring together individuals who have shared interests in and advocate for the educational and cultural development of TRIO and all underrepresented and underserved individuals.  The association offers opportunities for growth through professional development for TRIO employees and others concerned with providing equal access to education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. MEAEOPP is one of ten regional associations for TRIO personnel nationwide and supports the Council for Opportunity in Education, TRIO’s national organization that is dedicated to furthering the expansion of college opportunities for low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities. 

Ms. Lewis has been on MECC’s TRIO Programs staff since 2011, where she has served as TRIO SSS Counselor and is now the overall Director. She holds an associate degree from Mountain Empire Community College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise in Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Tennessee State University. This is her second year as a part of a three-year term as President-Elect, President, and Past President. Lewis stated, “It is the greatest honor to be able to serve the region in this role, advocating and supporting first–generation, low–income, and students with disabilities across the nation with other regional leaders. I hope to represent the great diversity of our region and continue to strengthen the legacy of our association by enhancing the opportunities for our membership to grow and advance.” For more information regarding MECC’s TRIO programs please visit www.mecc.edu/tutoring for the Student Support Services program or www.mecc.edu/mecc-talent-search for the Talent Search program.  All MECC’s TRIO programs are funded through grants from the US Department of Education.