WVU Parkersburg announces Summer 2025 President’s and Dean’s scholars

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 21, 2025) — WVU Parkersburg is pleased to announce its President’s and Dean’s scholars for the Summer 2025 semester.

President’s Scholars

Students on the President’s List maintained a 4.0 grade point average while earning 12 or more hours of college credit. The scholars include:

BRAXTON COUNTY — Frametown: Hayley Lytle; Tabitha Statts

Sutton: Marie Armentrout

CABELL COUNTY — Huntington: Shiloh Gibson

KANAWHA COUNTY — Charleston: Phillip Jones; Kayla Milam

RITCHIE COUNTY — Pennsboro: Conner Shaffer

TYLER COUNTY — Middlebourne: Mallory Westbrook

WIRT COUNTY — Le Roy: Moriah Cale

WOOD COUNTY — Mineral Wells: Jennifer Fiest

Parkersburg: Sydney Coler; Sara Enoch; Jana Howell; Tatum Marlow; Jubilee Minney

Vienna: Jeffrey Burdette; Ashley Hastings; Ashley Slaven

OHIO — Caldwell: Kadence Hood

Greenville: Mitchell Montgomery

Marietta: Ashley Miller

Dean’s Scholars

Students named to the Dean’s List maintained a 3.5 grade point average while earning six or more hours of college credit. The scholars include:

BERKELEY COUNTY — Kearneysville: Krystan Cervini

BROOKE COUNTY — Weirton: Ceairra Curran

CABELL COUNTY — Huntington: James Arnett

DODDRIDGE COUNTY — West Union: Courtney Tilley

JACKSON COUNTY — Cottageville: Mary Beth Cottrill

Evans: Nicole Tate

Gay: Shawn Davis

Kenna: Erin Petry

Ravenswood: Erica Corbin, Kiley Goldsmith; Chelsey Helmick; Nicholas Knox; Austin Lawrence; Cassandra Lott; Brooke Meadows; Jaleigh Thompson; Miranda Workman

Ripley: Braxton Carpenter; Brooke Hosaflook

Sandyville: Zane Balis

JEFFERSON COUNTY — Kearneysville: Melissa Holman

KANAWHA COUNTY — Charleston: Joely Good; Kendal Holmes; Victoria McGinnis

Elkview: Norissa Rupe; Morgan Sweeney

Nitro: Mary Norvell

South Charleston: Tina Reed

MASON COUNTY — Letart: Thomas Anderson

Mount Alto: Racheal Killingsworth

Point Pleasant: Timothy Reed

OHIO COUNTY — Wheeling: Jordan Irick

PLEASANTS COUNTY — St Marys: Olivia Birkhimer; Ava Childers; Darcy Grimes; Amanda Hadley; Terry Lough; Bernadette Occilien; Eric Wherry

PRESTON COUNTY — Bruceton Mills: Wendi Glover

PUTNAM COUNTY — Eleanor: Kala Bakenhaster; Donald Fletcher

RITCHIE COUNTY — Harrisville: Lily Butcher; Wyatt Flesher; Lindsay Flevaris; Gracie Lamp; Bradyn Reed

Pennsboro: Brooklyn Bayes, Lydia Colvin; Michael Leggett; Casey VanScoy

Smithville: Marissa Jeffrey

ROANE COUNTY — Spencer: Emily Chandler; Ottumn Metheney; Marleigh Unger

TYLER COUNTY — Middlebourne: Ryley Vandyne

Sistersville: Hallie Placer; Lacie Pratt

WETZEL COUNTY — New Martinsville: Debra Glendenning; Sierra Underwood

WIRT COUNTY — Elizabeth: Pheobe Hayes

WOOD COUNTY — Belleville: Jackson Dearth; Jeremy Ellis; Chloe Lott; Rebecca Page; Cassidy Patterson

Belmont: Sage Harper

Davisville: Johanna Curtiss; Sara Piggott

Mineral Wells: LaToya Billiter; Brittany Brookover; Melissa Dolly; Haley Hennen; Willis Hundley

Parkersburg: Shane Anderson; Brenda Barker; Coleen Barnhart; Alethea Bateman; Anthony Beckett; Lauren Brandjes; Winston Brown; Ivy Burdette; Mace Busch; Stephanie Christensen; Ethan Cline; Stephanie Cooper; Sandi Deem; Karli Delaney; Andrew Edgar; Bethany Fought; Maegan Gaver; Kaden Goodwin; Jonathan Hammond; Korie Hildebrecht; Nicole Holbert; Adelie Howerton; Marlee Hunt; Chauncy James; Jeanette Jameson; Stephanie Ketchem; Ryan Lockhart; Abishai Loganathan; Amanda Lyons; Meridith Mckain; Ashley Nesbitt; Elizabeth Onuoha; Molly Overton; Kaylyn Parsons; Jarod Peters; Crystal Proctor; Olivia Raber; Elizabeth Ramsay; Kristi Ramsey; Lauren Raney; William Reynolds; Kaitlyn Sartin; Brianna Sharp; Jon Skidmore; Ashley Smith; Josie Smith; Krista Sponsler; Kylie Sprouse; Serenity Sprouse; Phoenix Swisher; Amber Tennant; Hayley Waybright; Megan Wigal; Annemarie Woofter; Brady Young

Vienna: Emily Biles; Savanna Channell; Justin Eaton; Codie Goots; Lyndsay Haugh; Brittany Hicks; Amia Jenkins; Laquiche Jones; Addison King; Alexis Martin; James Martin; Kadence Perez; Natasha Staats; Amy Summers; Maya Turner; Harmony Watkins; Justin Welsh

Walker: Mackenzie Byrd

Washington: Gabriella Brady; Brent Dotson; Cynthia Dotson; Alexis Eichhorn; Jennie Goff; Morgan Hall; Lindsay Jones; Benjamin Kaminski; Jenna Limer; Adreana Linville; Oshelle Miller; Chad Moore; Sierra Mundy; Kayla Shaffer; Sidney Windland

Waverly: Kayle Cottrill; Charlotte Daniels; Hannah Smith

Williamstown: Emily Bailey; Savannha Cottrill; Marilah Morris; Alexis Sivard; Hunter Smith; Rylee Wise

OHIO — Belpre: Hailey Burdette; Heath Foutty; Nathaniel Marks; Ashley Wilson

Beverly: Keitha Schilling

Guysville: Travis Ziesemer

Columbus: Eunice Onyeukwu

Fleming: Kenady Sams

Little Hocking: Ashley Dalrymple; Michael Phelps

Marietta: Megan Bowling; Camey Gerst; David Hendrickson; Abigail Jones; Emma Jones; Korland Kampmeier; Annie Mack; Amber Matthews; Adam Pierce; Alisha Winstanley; Eric Wright

Newport: Morgan Haught

Pomeroy: Tanner Palmer

Racine: Christian Howell

Roseville: Jonathan Kiker

Reedsville: Brandi Durst

Vincent: Kelsey Bartmess

KENTUCKY — Louisa: Joshua Moore

MASSACHUSETTS — Pittsfield: Jacob Schnabel

PUTNAM COUNTY — Eleanor: Kala Bakenhaster

TEXAS — San Angelo: Ryan Carman

Portland: Jesus Vasquez

UTAH — Marriott-Slaterville: Ashlee Trujillo

WASHINGTON — Tenino: Carly Stephens.

Summer 2025 WVU Parkersburg graduates announced 

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 21, 2025) — WVU Parkersburg is proud to recognize its Summer 2025 graduates who have earned certificates, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees. These graduates exemplify academic excellence, dedication and perseverance.

Graduates achieving a 3.50 to 4.00 grade point average (GPA) have been awarded academic honors, as follows: 3.50-3.749, Cum Laude; 3.75-3.99, Magna Cum Laude; and 4.0, Summa Cum Laude. The December WVU Parkersburg graduates are listed below by county and state:

WEST VIRGINIA GRADUATES

BERKELEY COUNTY — Martinsburg: Solomon Lincoln, AAS, BOG

BOONE COUNTY — Racine: Hannah Stout, AAS, Child Development

BRAXTON COUNTY — Frametown: Tabitha Statts, AAS, BOG

Sutton: Marie Armentrout, AAS, BOG, Magna Cum Laude

BROOKE COUNTY — Wellsburg: Teira Parrish, AAS, Criminal Justice, CERT, Criminal Justice

GILMER COUNTY — Glenville: Jordanne Beall, BS, Nursing

JACKSON COUNTY — Evans: Cole Hutton, CERT, Business Administration

Kenna: Cody Bailey, AAS, BOG; Dharma Thomas, CERT, Business Administration

Ravenswood: Kiley Goldsmith, BAS, Supervisory Management; Sabrina Mills, CERT, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude; Miranda Workman, CERT, Esthetics, Cum Laude

Ripley: Gabriel Haynes, CERT, Digital Communication, Cum Laude, AAS, Digital Communication, Cum Laude; Stephanie Hernandez, CERT, Business Administration; Zakary Kimes, CERT, Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude; Isaac Parsons, BS, Nursing; Olivia Talbert, AAS, Elementary Education; Amy White, AAS, Business Administration

Sandyville: Zane Balis, CERT, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Courtney Winter, BS, Nursing, Cum Laude

JEFFERSON COUNTY — Kearneysville: Myckayla Reed, CERT, Child Development, Cum Laude

KANAWHA COUNTY — Charleston: Kara Thomas, AAS, Child Development, CERT, Child Development; Samantha Vititoe, BS, Nursing

Clendenin: Josi Coiner, CERT, Child Development

Dunbar: Cierra Messer, AAS, Child Development, CERT, Child Development

MONONGALIA COUNTY — Morgantown: William Ward, RBA

NICHOLAS COUNTY — Summersville: Brandy Brown, AAS, BOG

PLEASANTS COUNTY — St. Marys: Isaac Anderson, CERT, Criminal Justice; Gabrielle Cunningham, BS, Nursing; Charity Hannah, BS, Nursing, Magna Cum Laude; Amy Maston, AAS, BOG; Eric Wherry, CERT, Business Administration;

PUTNAM COUNTY — Hurricane: Kayla O’Brien, AAS, Child Development, Cum Laude, CERT, Child Development, Cum Laude

Scott Depot: Erica Rhodes, BS, Nursing

RITCHIE COUNTY — Harrisville: Lindsay Flevaris, RBA, Cum Laude; Raya Morrison, AAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude

Pennsboro: Jaydon Holt, RBA; Conner Shaffer, RBA, Cum Laude; Casey VanScoy, BAS, Business Administration

ROANE COUNTY — Elkview: Sabrina Canterbury, BS, Nursing

Gandeeville: James Miller, RBA,

TYLER COUNTY — Middlebourne: Mallory Westbrook, BAS, Criminal Justice, Cum Laude

Sistersville: Hallie Placer, BAS, Business Administration; Ethan Riddle, AAS, Computer Science

WAYNE COUNTY — Kenova: Mackenzie Rogers, CERT, Child Development

WETZEL COUNTY — New Martinsville: Amanda Owens, RBA

WIRT COUNTY — Elizabeth: Kelly Digman, BS, Nursing; Pheobe Hayes, CERT, Business Administration

WOOD COUNTY — Belleville: Chloe Lott, CERT, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Cassidy Patterson, AAS, Criminal Justice, CERT, Criminal Justice;

Davisville: Kylee Border, CERT, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Darca Sapp, AAS, BOG

Mineral Wells: Rhodessa Hoselton, AAS, BOG; Gracie Parks, AAS, Criminal Justice; Haley Parsons, CERT, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Patience Randolph, CERT, Criminal Justice; Nathan Schramm, CERT, Business Administration

Parkersburg: Isabel Arreola, AS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Natalie Atkinson, AA, General Education; Alethea Bateman, BS, Nursing; Jaya Bell, BAS, Comm & Media – Strategic Comm, Magna Cum Laude; Taylor Black, CERT, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Julia Bland, CERT, Criminal Justice, Summa Cum Laude;  Crystal Bonnell, RBA; Stephanie Christensen, CERT, Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude; Sarah Enoch, AAS, BOG; Kaden Goodwin, AAS, Business Administration; Maxximillian Greer, AAS, Criminal Justice; Jasmine Hockman, AAS, Criminal Justice; Denise Hoover, CERT, Digital Media Production, Cum Laude; Jana Howell, RBA, Cum Laude, AAS, Business Administration, Cum Laude; Haleigh Hurst, AS, General Education; Christian Lobbins, AS, General Education; Allie Lockhart, CERT, Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude; Tatum Marlow, CERT, Esthetics, Magna Cum Laude; Daniel Miller, BAS, Child Development; Haylie Polan, BS, Nursing, Magna Cum Laude; Katlyn Rake, CERT, Business Administration; Kristi Ramsey, RBA;Alec Richards, AAS, Computer & Information Tech; Emma Starcher, BS, Business Administration; Paula Tewksbury, AAS, BOG; Nhi Tran, AAS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, CERT, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Julia Vincent, CERT, Business Administration, Cum Laude

Vienna: Jeffrey Burdette, AAS, BOG; Victoria Chichester, CERT, Child Development; Emily Davis, CERT, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude; Ryan Halley, AAS, Production Technician; Addison King, RBA, Cum Laude; Maximillian Lass, AAS, BOG; Samuel Potts, CERT, Business Administration; Mackenzie Rader, AAS, BOG, Cum Laude; Emily Snyder, CERT, Business Administration; Amy Summers, RBA; Chase Uppole, AAS, Welding Technology, CERT, Welding;

Washington: Gabriella Brady, AAS, Business Administration, CERT, Business Administration; Dustin Corley, BAS, Business Administration;

Waverly: Gracie Richards, AAS, Criminal Justice; Hannah Smith, CERT, Esthetics, Cum Laude

Williamstown: Dax Chancellor, AAS, Digital Media Production; Hunter Smith, AAS, Elementary Education; Joseph Strauss, CERT, Business Administration; Tia Townsend, BS, Nursing

OHIO GRADUATES

Belpre: Logan Adams, AAS, Business Administration, CERT Business Administration; Kayla Clark, AAS, BOG

Little Hocking: Ashley Dalrymple, AAS, Elementary Education, Cum Laude

Marietta: Megan Bowling, AAS, Drafting; Tori Ellis, AA, General Education; Austin Maston, AAS, BOG; Adam Pierce, AAS, BOG, Cum Laude

Newport: Morgan Haught, AAS, Elementary Education

Pataskala: Amanda Moore, AAS, BOG

Rutland: Shalynn Snyder, BS, Nursing, Magna Cum, Laude

MASSACHUSETTS GRADUATES

Pittsfield: Jacob Schnabel, AAS, BOG

TEXAS GRADUATES

Abilene: Cutter Crowe, AAS, Occupational Development.

WVU Parkersburg Board approves $7 million investment in ITC, supporting student success

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 20, 2025) — From multimillion-dollar campus improvements to welcoming a passionate new student voice, WVU Parkersburg’s Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday, August 19, showcased a college driving innovation.

The Board approved $7 million from unrestricted reserves to support continued renovations and expansion of the Innovation and Technology Center (ITC). The center’s West Wing officially opened this fall with 159 students enrolled in Computer Science and Computer Information Technology courses.

Board Chair Blaine Hess praised the WVU Parkersburg ITC for its opening and expressed excitement about the campus’ future and the impact it will have on students, the local economy, and the Mid-Ohio Valley.

In addition, the board welcomed Trista Scarberry, who was sworn in as the student representative by the Honorable Timothy Sweeney, 3rd Circuit Court Judge.

Scarberry, a Ripley native and 2022 Ripley High School graduate, transferred to WVU Parkersburg in spring 2024 after previously studying nursing at Fairmont State University. Now an elementary education major with double emphases in mathematics and special education, she serves as Student Government Association president and is deeply involved on campus and in her community.

“Being part of the Board of Governors is such an exciting opportunity,” Scarberry said. “WVU Parkersburg makes me feel like more than just a student — I’m able to build real relationships with mentors, administrators, and community leaders. I can’t wait to represent my fellow students and help strengthen engagement across campus.”

Scarberry’s leadership extends beyond campus. She works in WVU Parkersburg’s Financial Aid office, at CAMC Memorial as a patient transporter, and with WVU Extension, where she helps lead 4-H camps statewide. She also serves as secretary of the Ripley High School FFA Alumni chapter.

The meeting also highlighted the college’s continued enrollment growth. Student enrollment over the summer saw a 15% increase in FTE enrollment for programs, and fall enrollment is up 8%, marking the ninth consecutive semester of growth.

In her president’s report, Dr. Torie Jackson discussed several new initiatives. The college is launching the STAND program, a statewide initiative for skilled trades, apprenticeships, and non-traditional degrees, with Jeff Holland serving as the instructor for students in the program. Over the summer, administrators established an Artificial Intelligence Task Force led by Dr. Kyle Landcaster. The group will identify opportunities to use AI to enhance student support, academic delivery, staff productivity, and operational cost efficiency, and will prepare recommendations for the President on AI tools and implementation projects.

Additionally, WVU Parkersburg is equipping its campus community with skills to respond to individuals in crisis. Sixteen faculty and staff members have completed mental health first aid training to recognize signs of mental health and substance use concerns, helping create a safety net of care across classrooms, offices, and student spaces.

“We shall bravely take the steps for growth, because within this campus community, and with the support of our board, we know that together we can achieve more,” said Jackson.

The next WVU Parkersburg Board of Governors meeting is scheduled for October 14, 2025.

As required by the U.S. Department of Education’s 1979 Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination, WVU Parkersburg is proud to offer more than 40 degree programs and certificates within these academic areas: Professional Studies, Nursing & Health Sciences, Workforce, Technical and Computer Information Science and Arts & Sciences. Additionally, the college offers early college opportunities for high school students, technical training and workforce development, and community education classes. Visit wvup.edu for more information.

Admission to WVU Parkersburg is open to any individual who meets the institution’s open admissions policy. Applicants for admission or employment, students, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and employment, and all third parties holding professional agreements with WVU Parkersburg are hereby notified that this institution is committed to nondiscrimination in admission, employment, educational programs or activities and in employment or employee health benefits. Also, it is the policy of WVU Parkersburg to prohibit harassment (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) of students and employees. Faculty, staff, students and applicants are protected from retaliation for alleging discrimination or assisting in an investigation of discrimination.
WVU Parkersburg is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, ancestry, or national origin in admission, employment, educational programs or activities. Further, faculty, staff, students, and applicants are protected from retaliation for making complaints or assisting in investigations of discrimination.
Any person with inquiries regarding WVU Parkersburg’s compliance with Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is directed to contact the individual designated to coordinate the institution’s efforts to comply with the regulations implementing these laws:

Mary Bentz, Executive Director, Human Resources and Compliance
WVU Parkersburg
300 Campus Drive, Room 1008
Parkersburg, WV 26104
Office: 304-424-8212; Fax: 304-424-8302
Email: Mary.Bentz@wvup.edu
Title VI, Title IX and Section 504 or ADA complaints may also be filed with the Regional Office for Civil Rights: U.S. Department of Education; Philadelphia Office for Civil Rights; 100 Penn Square East, Suite 515; Telephone: 215-656-8541; FAX: 215-656-8605; TDD: 800-877-8339; Email: OCR.Philadelphia@ed.gov.

Employees and applicants for employment may also file employment discrimination complaints with the Regional Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; 801 Market Street, Suite 1300; Philadelphia, PA 19107-3127; Telephone: 800-660-4000 / 215-440-2601; Fax: 215-440-2606; TTY: 800-669-6820.

WVU Parkersburg awarded $469,183.79 agriculture grant to boost food resiliency, education

Parkersburg, W.Va. (July 7, 2025) — WVU Parkersburg has been awarded a $469,183.79 grant from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to strengthen agriculture education and improve food system resiliency in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

The funding, part of the state’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program, will support expanded educational opportunities, increased food processing capabilities and further development of WVU Parkersburg’s Riverhawk Farm.

“We are incredibly excited and honored to receive the RFSI grant,” said John Riggs, Agriculture Director at WVU Parkersburg. “It’s a transformative opportunity that supports our continued efforts to elevate agriculture education and local food systems in the Mid-Ohio Valley. This funding reflects the growing recognition of the importance of hands-on training and agricultural innovation.”

The grant was awarded through a competitive selection process led by an independent review committee.

“We established an independent ranking committee that removes politics from the process and lets the experts select the application with the greatest potential impact,” said Norm Bailey, Chief of Staff at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. “WVU Parkersburg stood out for its ability to drive positive change in agriculture and community resilience.”

The funding will benefit Riverhawk Farm by expanding student and producer processing capacity, particularly for produce and honey. It will also support construction of state-of-the-art facilities for hands-on student learning and modern agricultural technology training.

“These upgrades will support Riverhawk Farm’s role in training the next generation of agricultural professionals while boosting local food security and production capacity,” Riggs said.

Bailey said WVU Parkersburg is “on the ground floor doing something great.”

“This is going to help push them to the next level, teaching the community about the value of agriculture and improving our food system from the ground up,” he said.

Bailey also emphasized how the derecho in 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic revealed vulnerabilities in the national food supply chain.

“Our food supply chain is very fragile,” he said. “By producing our own products locally, we can help prevent shortages, improve food quality and strengthen our local economy.”

Riggs said the grant elevates Riverhawk Farm’s position in the region.

“This grant positions Riverhawk Farm as the agricultural hub of the Mid-Ohio Valley,” he said. “It strengthens our educational infrastructure and our region’s food system resilience.”

He also thanked key partners and supporters.

“We are incredibly thankful to Dr. Bobbi Marshall for her leadership, the entire Riverhawk Farm team for their dedication, and the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation for their continued support,” said Riggs. “Special thanks also go to our agriculture partners and supporters, including the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Jay-Bee Oil & Gas, Hall Drilling, Perkins Supply, Mike and Brenda Miller, and all who believe in our mission to grow local agriculture through education and innovation.”

WVU Parkersburg Board of Governors reviews policy changes, celebrates enrollment growth and student success

WVU Parkersburg Board of Governors to Meet June 11

Parkersburg, W.Va. (May 22 2025) — WVU Parkersburg is proud to announce a transformational step in its history: the introduction of on-campus residence halls, owned and operated by the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation. Driven by a commitment to expand access to education and foster student success, this project marks a bold new chapter for the college and its future. 

“The decision to bring residence halls to WVU Parkersburg was a mission-driven choice by the Foundation’s Board of Directors,” said Olivia Reeder, President and CEO of the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation. “They recognized that housing is critical to expanding access, supporting student success, and growing the college’s reach. As WVU Parkersburg launches new programs through the Innovation and Technology Center and serves an evolving student population, the need for on-campus housing has become more urgent.” 

The residence halls will directly advance WVU Parkersburg’s mission by removing barriers for students who face housing insecurity or live beyond commuting distance. Housing will not only support academic and workforce programs but also help foster a stronger, more engaged campus community. 

For clarification, the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation will own the residence halls and have stepped in to make this vision a reality. 

“By owning the residence halls, the Foundation ensures that WVU Parkersburg can offer student housing while remaining compliant with state regulations,” Reeder explained. “It’s a demonstration of our deep commitment to student access and long-term growth.” 

The new residence halls will house students ages 18–22 and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure equitable access. WVU Parkersburg students interested in these housing opportunities should contact the Foundation at 304-424-8340 for more information and for student verification.

Named The Residences at ITC, these single-unit facilities will open for occupancy in August 2025. The first 55 units will be available – 28 for female students and 27 for male students. Amenities provided with the room will be a bed, desk, wardrobe, and sink, as well as on-site laundry and free Wi-Fi internet access.

The Innovation and Technology Center project began with a generous donation from The Ross Foundation. This additional opportunity for students in regards to housing is made possible by the support of the Foundation and Pickering Land Group, the third-party property management operator. PLG is ensuring professional management and a student-centered residential experience. The Foundation will retain ownership of the halls in perpetuity, securing a sustainable future for residential life at the college. 

In addition to housing, the Innovate Capital Campaign continues to offer opportunities for community members to support the broader transformation underway at WVU Parkersburg, including scholarships; the Innovation and Technology Center naming opportunities for classrooms, conference rooms, and many other on-site locations; and new programming initiatives that directly impact student success. 

“The Innovation and Technology Center represents a bold investment in the future of our region. For donors, it’s an opportunity to be part of something lasting—something that creates real impact by empowering students, attracting industry, and revitalizing a once-quiet campus into a hub of opportunity. Your support doesn’t just build a building; it builds a legacy,” said WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Torie Jackson.

According to Reeder, the addition of student housing will reshape the trajectory of WVU Parkersburg over the next decade. “It positions us to grow strategically, attract a broader and more diverse student population, and enhance campus vibrancy. This project is a foundational step in transforming WVU Parkersburg from a primarily commuter campus into a true destination campus — one known for opportunity, innovation, and community.” 

The WVU Parkersburg Innovation and Technology Center will also open in August 2025.

The WVU Parkersburg ITC will serve as a hub for high-demand career and technical programs, including Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Network Administration, Cloud Computing and Mechanical Engineering Technology. 

According to Dr. Jackson, “This facility will offer students advanced training and modern lab spaces to prepare them for in-demand careers in technology and engineering. In addition to academic offerings, the ITC will host industry partners co-located on-site to provide hands-on training, internships, and direct employment pipelines. The campus will also support community needs through childcare services, workforce credentialing, and access to regional transportation routes. Together, we can achieve more.”

Camden Clark to offer childcare services to staff in partnership with WVU Parkersburg and Bright Beginnings

Parkersburg, W.Va. (May 13, 2025) — WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Community Resources have partnered to offer expanded childcare solutions for Camden Clark employees at a new Bright Beginnings childcare center to be located at the WVU Parkersburg Innovation and Technology Center on the former Ohio Valley University campus.

The collaborative effort amongst the organizations aims to address challenges experienced by Camden Clark staff and members of the local community including access to reliable and affordable childcare.

“We are thrilled to be part of this partnership, and excited for the potential benefits and opportunities this can provide for our employees. This collaboration aligns with WVU Medicine’s ongoing commitment to support our staff in achieving work-life balance by offering convenient childcare services for their families,” said Sean Smith, WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center President & CEO. “This initiative will continue to strengthen our longstanding alliance with WVU Parkersburg, and incorporating Community Resources and Bright Beginnings is sure to provide benefits for our staff and the community alike.”

By addressing childcare needs amongst Camden Clark staff, the new childcare benefit is expected to enhance employee satisfaction and retention. Such initiatives reflect WVU Medicine Camden Clark’s broader strategy to support its workforce through comprehensive benefits and community partnerships.

“This project is not just about bricks and mortar—it’s about building a stronger future for working families in our region. Access to high-quality, affordable childcare is a game-changer for parents striving for economic stability. We are incredibly proud to be a part of this transformative effort with WVU Parkersburg and WVU Medicine Camden Clark,” said Michelle Barber, Community Resources Executive Director and CEO.

The new Bright Beginnings childcare center on the expanded WVU Parkersburg campus is slated to open in the fall of 2025.

“This collaboration with WVU Medicine Camden Clark and Community Resources is more than a childcare solution—it’s a bold investment in the future of our workforce and our region. By expanding access to high-quality early childhood care at the Innovation and Technology Center, we are removing barriers for students, employees and community members who are working hard to build better lives,” said Torie Jackson, WVU Parkersburg President & CEO. “WVU Parkersburg is proud to be part of a partnership that understands the power of wraparound support in creating true opportunity. Together, we can achieve more.”