The community college experience is going through a dramatic change in Huntington -- and across West Virginia, for that matter.

What used to be known as Marshall Community and Technical College broke ground today on what will soon be a hilltop campus of its own.

Concrete, metal, glass -- and a lot of promise. That's the way Mountwest President Keith Cotroneo might describe the bright future for his school.

"Less poverty, stronger business and industry, reduced crime and social costs and a stronger tax base. That's what community colleges do for their communities."

Mountwest Community and Technical College held a still-under-construction open house Wednesday at their brand new 28-acre campus located off I-64, near 5th Street hill. Direct TV moved down hill into the old Ames store, clearing the way for the school and opening up the future for students.

"I thought there was never a chance to go back and finish up," said adult student Chris Stevens. "Now, here I am so close to realizing dreams I had 18 to 20 years ago."

State lawmakers mandated community colleges operate separately from four year institutions to give them their own identity. Students like Chris Stevens and Sue Richardson are part of that new identity -- non-traditional, adult students looking to change their lives.

"I'm a retired CPA and I've always liked to cook," Sue told WSAZ.com at the ceremony. "So I decided to play at culinary school. I think if you're interested in things, you can always learn new stuff."

Mountwest offers 60 different associate degrees. Cotroneo says the school can put people straight into the workforce or prepare them for higher learning.

"We're going to really have it all for our students in the fall of 2012. The sky's the limit," said Cotroneo.

The new campus will offer free parking and promises access to public transportation for students and faculty. It's scheduled to open next July.

UPDATE 5/21/10 @ 9:25 a.m.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The DirecTV building in Huntington is officially the new home of Mountwest Community & Technical College.

The college’s Board of Governors made the announcement during their meeting Friday morning.

President Keith Cotroneo says the purchase of the property was completed Thursday.

The five story building is located atop 5th Street Hill just south of Interstate-64.

DirecTV plans to move its call center to the former Ames building which located on property at the bottom of the hill.

Cotroneo says when renovations are complete; the building will have more than 30 classrooms, labs, an expansive commons area, a learning resource center, a full-service cafeteria, a student service center and parking for 650 vehicles.

“This is another huge step forward for Mountwest. Our Board of Governors, along with our administrative team, have been working for some time to acquire this property. We are very excited to announce that the Mountwest Board is now the official owner and looks forward to beginning the process of moving our campus,” said Cotroneo.

The move-in date is expected to be August 2011.

Mountwest CTC, formerly Marshall Community & Technical College, began looking for a new location after a state law required it to sever all ties with Marshall University.

Currently students attend classes in a number of buildings across Marshall’s campus.

During a meeting Friday morning, the Board of Governor's made Mountwest Community and Technical (MCTC) the choice.

MCTC President, Dr. Keith Cotroneo, tells WSAZ.com that other finalist for the new name was Western West Virginia Community and Technical College.

Cotroneo says the vote on the new name may have been influenced by the expected move of the college to the DirecTV Building on 5th Street in Huntington. That building is located on the top of a hill overlooking Interstate 64.

The West Virginia Legislature must still approve Friday’s vote.

A 2008 state law required MCTC to separate from Marshall University.