WVU Parkersburg faculty member selected for education policy fellowship program

WVU Parkersburg faculty member selected to participate in state's first education policy fellowship program.

CONTACT: Cynthia Gissy, associate professor of education, 304-424-8259.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A faculty member at West Virginia University at Parkersburg has been selected to participate in the state's first education policy fellowship program.

Cynthia Gissy, associate professor of education, is among nine participating in the West Virginia Education Policy Fellowship program. The EPFP is a 10-month, in-service leadership development program sponsored by the Institute for Educational Leadership, a non-profit, non-partisan organization located in Washington, D.C.

This marks the first year that West Virginia has participated in the program which is designed to advance the knowledge base of emerging state leaders so they are equipped to accomplish the challenges of modern leadership and effectively represent West Virginia within the national policy debate.

Mrs. Gissy serves as coordinator of field experience for the college's Education Department. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees from West Virginia University and has been a member of the WVU Parkersburg faculty since 1998.

The WV Fellows cohort is focusing on the West Virginia education policy arena; linkages between education and the West Virginia economy; education, the economy and poverty in West Virginia; issues embedded in the 21st Century learning partnership, and other issues and topics relevant to the Appalachian life and culture of West Virginia's children and families as they impact education and schools.

West Virginia's initial Fellows cohort will involve 12 discussion seminars as well as attendance at national conferences focusing on leadership and policy. Participants will use their work settings as the context for examining leadership and policy issues in the state and in the nation.

Others participating in the WV cohort include Amena Anderson of the West Virginia Center for Professional; Development; Rockie DeLorenzo of West Fairmont Middle School; Nathan Estel of the West Virginia Department of Education; Adam Green of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission; Barbra Owens of Fairmont State University; Donna Paduto of the WV Department of Education; Steve Rodriquez of Fairview Middle School, and Melanie Skeen-Gregory of the Appalachian Educational Initiative.

Begun in 1964, the Education Policy Fellowship Program has produced over 6,000 alumni who now lead at high levels in all sectors of K-12 and higher education organizations; local, state and federal government agencies; public policy groups, foundations and nonprofits and corporations. Its mission is to equip leaders in public and private organizations to create and implement sound public policy in education and related fields. Offered in 10 states and the District of Columbia, the annual cohort of Fellows includes teachers, principals, superintendents, state education agency representatives and higher education professionals.

West Virginia's fellowship program is sponsored by a grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and offered through The Center for Education in Appalachia.

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For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203, Office)
(304-424-8315, Fax)

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