Parkersburg, W.Va. (Dec. 19, 2022) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg invites area residents and students to join the activities at its Open Enrollment Day on Thursday, Dec. 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the main campus.

“We look forward to meeting our local high school students and those interested in entering the workforce,” said Nicole Shutts, Admissions counselor. “It is also a unique opportunity for current college students to learn about WVU Parkersburg’s many offerings and how they can become a Riverhawk.”

She continued, “College is full of opportunity, and sometimes, especially after the first semester, you may realize you want to continue on a different path. So, whether students are looking for a new major, smaller class size or a place closer to home, we are here to serve them.”

During Open Enrollment Day, guests can tour WVU Parkersburg’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Applied Technology Center, Criminal Justice Crime Scene Simulation Lab, Digital Media Production Studio and Nursing Simulation Labs.

The Nursing and Health Sciences division has introduced the LPN to RN program, an accelerated pathway for Licensed Practical Nurses to complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing. The program is designed to take 16 months and provides students online, evening and weekend courses so they can continue working while achieving their degrees.

For those seeking to enter the workforce quickly, WVU Parkersburg also offers Agribusiness, Aluminum Welding, Custodial, Dental Assistant, HVAC, Medical Office Specialist, Phlebotomy and Peer Recovery Support short-term career training programs. Between $1,500 and $2,000 in cost, these programs are usually six to 15 weeks, and students will take a certification exam upon completion.

In addition to providing over 50 certification and degree programs, WVU Parkersburg offers robust student support, including free disability/accessibility services, mental health counseling, tutoring and veterans assistance.

Not to mention, the Coplin Health Clinic recently opened on the main campus. Services offered include primary and acute (walk-in) care for all ages and behavioral health services. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information about Open Enrollment Day, contact the WVU Parkersburg Center for Student Services at 304-424-8310 or admissions@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Dec. 14, 2022) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Board of Governors will meet Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. The meeting will take place, at 11 a.m., via Zoom. For further details and instructions on how to attend the meeting, please contact brady.whipkey@wvup.edu.

Visit http://www.wvup.edu/about/board-of-governors/agendas/ to view the complete agenda.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Dec 14, 2022) – In November, members of the WVU Parkersburg Criminal Justice Student Organization attended the 25th Annual WV Criminal Justice Educators Association conference held at Fairmont State University. They heard from various presenters on criminal justice topics, spoke with representatives from national agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and participated in a re-entry simulation and discussion with formerly incarcerated individuals.

The conference provides opportunities for criminal justice students and faculty from across the state to present their work and hear from each other about current issues in the field. Andrew Walker, WVU Parkersburg associate professor and Criminal Justice program coordinator, presented research on forensic awareness and its impact on crimes.

WVU Parkersburg Criminal Justice student Hannah Stephens presented her work originally completed in the program’s Serial Homicide course. Stephens also received the Conference Scholar Award and placed first in the statewide undergraduate paper competition. Her paper, “Samuel Little: A Brief Summary and Analysis of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer,” will be published in the Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice.

The students also participated in competitions at the conference. The quiz bowl team, consisting of students Breauna Anderson, Nichole Dellinger, Jasmine Hockman, Megan Higgins, and Hannah Stephens, made it to the final round and placed second in the competition. The crime scene team, consisting of Isaac Algmin, Breauna Anderson, Franki Harrah, Megan Higgins, Nichole Dellinger, and Hannah Stephens, won second place in their competition.

 

 

 

 

The WV Criminal Justice Educators Association began in 1992 to promote the change of educational ideas and coursework among institutions of higher learning and criminal justice training entities in the state. Walker is a past president of the association, and WVU Parkersburg Instructor Amy Strong was elected second vice president. She will serve as the chair for the 2023 Annual Conference hosted at WVU Parkersburg.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Dec. 10, 2022) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg held its annual fall commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m., in its College Activities Center. Christie Willis, WVU Parkersburg alumna and Wood County Schools superintendent, served as the keynote speaker.

Willis reminded the Fall 2022 class of graduates that there are many opportunities available to them, but to always use their positions in life to elevate others. She also emphasized that it is only when people follow their passions that they become successful.

“And when you follow your passion, the possibilities are endless,” Willis said. “If you believe in what you’re doing, enjoying your work and finding purpose in your career, you will never work a day in your life.”

She continued, “Work for something that is worth something. When you dedicate your life’s work to improving the lives of others, there will be personal fulfillment, and you will be successful.”

Willis earned her Bachelor of Arts from WVU Parkersburg in 1998 and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from WVU in 2005. A teacher at heart, her passion for the classroom and learning has influenced her vision for enhancing the education system locally and at the state level.

 

WVU Parkersburg Interim President Dr. Torie Jackson also encouraged the graduating class, asking them to always think outside the box and make plans for transformative rewards.

“We can tell you big dreams are welcome here, so continue to dream big,” Jackson said. “Think of new and innovative ways to do things and don’t jump back into the box just because of the comfort it provides. Today, you show perseverance, and we all share that success with you.”

Over 120 graduates crossed the stage, with 321 students earning certificate, associate and bachelor’s degrees, pending final grades.

 

To watch the Fall 2022 commencement ceremony, visit youtube.com/wvuparkersburg.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Nov. 21, 2022) – WVU Parkersburg’s Professional Studies Division is hosting a Fall Speaker Series where prominent local leaders share their success stories. The final presentation will take place on Nov. 30, from 12:15 – 1:00 p.m., in the College Theater, with speaker Amanda Stevens.

Stevens began her role as executive director of Downtown PKB in September 2021. Before that, Stevens held two positions at Artsbridge. First as the organization’s office manager, then as the executive director, overseeing programs, grant writing and fundraising.

She has been a grant reader and a panelist for the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History. She has been instrumental in overseeing several large-scale events and art installations, including a partnership between Artsbridge and the Grand Central Mall to create the glass mosaic mural inside the new Williamstown Elementary School.

Before Artsbridge, Stevens worked for her family’s business, DeBarr Trucking Co., in Parkersburg, W.Va. Directly after obtaining a degree from WVU Parkersburg, Stevens was a licensed real estate agent in West Virginia.

She has been a singer with local bands for over 20 years at fairs and festivals and has served as music director at her church. She has also been a vocal coach to community youth and has participated in theatre throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.

“It is an intentional effort, on the part of the Division of Professional Studies, to provide the community with the opportunity to enjoy a vibrant, intellectually stimulating event and engage with a respected local professional,” Assistant Professor Andrew Walker said.

The Fall Speaker Series event is free to attend, and all community members are welcome.

For more information, visit wvup.edu/fallspeakerseries.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Nov. 17, 2022) – With a mission to meet the health and wellness needs of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Coplin Health Systems celebrated its grand opening at the WVU Parkersburg campus. The clinic is located by the college’s lower parking lot at 73 Nicolette Road in Parkersburg.

The opening was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Tuesday. Participating in the ribbon cutting were representatives from Coplin Health Systems, WVU Parkersburg’s Board of Governors and Dr. Chris Gilmer, WVU Potomac State interim president.

 

 

Gilmer formed a partnership with Coplin Health Systems during his previous presidency at WVU Parkersburg. His mission was always to provide high-quality healthcare to students, faculty, staff and the community at large.

The new center features a “G” on the left column of its entrance, signifying Gilmer’s work to make this dream a reality.

“This will be a great clinic for the campus and for the community of Davisville,” said Rob Dudley, Coplin Health Systems chief executive officer. “This project has taken time, but he [Gilmer] never gave up, and we never gave up. Our priority is to offer quality yet affordable healthcare and advocate for children and families.”

 

 

Services offered include primary and acute (walk-in) care for all ages and behavioral health services. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

 

 

Coplin Health Systems is a Federally Qualified Health Center. As such, providers will care for individuals and families with full, partial or no insurance coverage. The organization also offers a sliding scale payment model to make care affordable regardless of a person’s income.

The WVU at Parkersburg Foundation has also established the Student Health Fund to financially assist students who cannot afford health care costs, such as co-pays.

“It is our commitment to provide students the resources necessary to achieve,” said Dr. Torie Jackson, WVU Parkersburg interim president. “We identified a need in our community, and Coplin was the answer. WVU Parkersburg appreciates their shared commitment to those who are currently underserved.”

Jackson County Center students, faculty and staff will be able to receive the same services at the Ripley Family Care, Jackson County School Wellness Center or River Valley Family Care in Ravenswood.

State’s Community & Technical College System highlights workforce partnerships during National Apprenticeship Week

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Community & Technical College System (CTCS) is highlighting successful workforce partnerships during National Apprenticeship Week, an initiative from Nov. 14-18 through the U.S. Department of Labor that showcases the economic value of apprenticeships across the country. In support of the state’s apprenticeship programs, Gov. Jim Justice has declared this week National Apprenticeship in the Mountain State.

Through CTCS, which leads efforts with the state’s nine community and technical colleges to partner with businesses and meet their workforce needs, students and businesses have a multitude of opportunities for on-the-job training that can lead to full-time careers. The state’s leading workforce development and educational partnership, Learn & Earn, distributed more than $3 million over the past year to connect students with work opportunities through 81 businesses across the state.

Learn & Earn connects employers with students eager to gain valuable, paid experience in their fields of study. The program allows students to take technical courses while gaining paid work experiences, while companies can meet their immediate staffing needs as they build a skilled workforce. Students’ pay is shared 50/50 between the state and company. Companies are not required to hire the students upon graduation, but the program currently has a placement rate of more 90 percent.

iTech, a technology solutions provider, partnered with WVU Parkersburg to employ Learn & Earn students in the fields of accounting, information technology (IT) and marketing during the 2021-22 school year.

“We’re having fun here, and we’re growing by bringing on students as new employees,” said Mike Williams, owner and CEO of iTech. “The great thing about the Learn & Earn program is that I get a one- to two-year interview with these students. In return, it is a great way for the students to explore their career goals and find out if we are the right fit for their future.”

Alana Cottrill, a Spring 2022 WVU Parkersburg graduate who earned her Certificate and Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration, was a marketing Learn & Earn student at iTech. In her role, she designed company marketing materials, social media content, press releases and more.

“I feel like I have grown since being in the Learn & Earn program,” Cottrill said. “I’ve received real-life experiences that will help me and the company as I go on in my career.”

Through CTCS, the state also coordinates Apprenticeships in Motion (AIM), a program made possible by a nearly $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor that prepares students for IT jobs that are in increasingly high demand across the state. Similar to Learn & Earn, AIM connects employers with students through colleges, allowing apprentices to take technical courses while gaining paid work experiences. The program also provides opportunities for businesses to upskill their current employees.

“Hiring IT professionals with cybersecurity skills is very difficult, especially in West Virginia,” said Norman Gunderson, Vice President/WV Division GM, Global Science & Technology Inc., which partnered with AIM to hire IT students. “The AIM program allowed us to ‘grow our own.’”

To explore how Learn & Earn or AIM can help build your workforce, contact the CTCS office at 304-558-0265.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Nov. 14, 2022) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg has been recognized as the most affordable college in the state by University HQ. The published rankings help students discover the best school that matches their budget and career path by comparing college tuition rates, the number of degrees offered and graduating salaries across the U.S.

In addition, WVU Parkersburg was ranked No. 18 for the Most Affordable Business Management degree and No. 28 for the Most Affordable Business Administration degree in the nation.

“Part of our mission at WVU Parkersburg is to provide educational opportunities for our service region. I’m very proud that we are reaching that goal at a very high level, evident by these national rankings,” said Dr. David Lancaster, WVU Parkersburg interim vice president for Academic Affairs. “This is good news for our students, community and the college.”

WVU Parkersburg offers in-state and out-of-state tuition below the national average, and students have the opportunity to receive financial assistance, like WVUP Ascend and WV Invests.

WVUP Ascend removes barriers to receiving a certificate or associate degree by providing additional academic, financial and personal supports. These supports include waivers for tuition and fees, Kroger gift cards for groceries and/or gas, textbook assistance, career counseling, tutoring and more.

WV Invests is a grant program for community and technical college students. After a student uses all of their federal and/or state aid, WV Invests will step in to cover the remaining tuition and fee costs.

The WVU at Parkersburg Foundation supports students by offering over 150 different scholarships.

Also, WVU Parkersburg’s Early College program allows high school students to take college credits at a reduced rate of $150 per course. Students have the potential to graduate high school with a certificate or associate degree. Therefore, students and parents can save over $20,000 in tuition by enrolling in Early College.

Visit wvup.edu/future-students or call 304.424.8310 to view WVU Parkersburg’s majors, cost and aid, and other services. For information and registration regarding Early College, visit wvup.edu/earlycollege or call 304.424.8209.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Nov. 11, 2022) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Board of Governors will meet Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. The meeting will take place at 3:15 p.m. in the Francis & Nina Phares Board Room (Room 1300A) on the main campus.

Visit http://www.wvup.edu/about/board-of-governors/agendas/ to view the complete agenda.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Nov. 7, 2022) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg invites area residents to join the festivities at its Fall Recruiting Fest, on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. Activities will take place on the main campus.

“We look forward to seeing our local high school students, those interested in entering the workforce or those simply interested in what WVU Parkersburg has to offer,” said Nicole Shutts, Admissions counselor. “We will have snacks, games and representatives from our different clubs and programs to speak about the opportunities students have at WVU Parkersburg.”

The event promises fun for all ages with free food, games, giveaways and music. While traveling through campus, participants will learn about the college’s degree programs, Early College opportunities for high school students, student clubs and organizations and workforce programs.

Early College allows high school students to earn college credit at their schools or on WVU Parkersburg’s campus. Students get to jumpstart their college career, with some even graduating high school with a Certificate of Applied Science in General Education or Associate of Arts in General Education.

WVU Parkersburg also offers Agribusiness, Aluminum Welding, Custodial, Dental Assistant, HVAC, Medical Office Specialist, Phlebotomy and Peer Recovery Support short-term career training programs. Between $1,500 and $2,000 in cost, these programs are usually six to 15 weeks, and students will take a certification exam upon completion.

Fall Fest participants can also meet WVU Parkersburg faculty and staff and learn about financial aid opportunities like WVUP Ascend and WV Invests.

WVUP Ascend removes barriers to receiving a certificate or associate degree by providing additional academic, financial and personal supports. These supports include waivers for tuition and fees, Kroger gift cards for groceries and/or gas, textbook assistance, career counseling, tutoring and more.

WV Invests is a grant program for community and technical college students. After a student uses all of their federal and/or state aid, WV Invests will step in to cover the remaining tuition and fee costs.

For more information about Fall Fest, contact the WVU Parkersburg Center for Student Services at 304-424-8310 or admissions@wvup.edu.