Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 10, 2021) – The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Ascend program is currently accepting student applications for Fall 2021. Accelerating Student Completion: Encouraging New Dreams (Ascend) removes the financial, academic and personal obstacles to earning a certificate or associate degree.

WVU Parkersburg Ascend students will receive financial assistance to defray the cost of books; a monthly Kroger gift card to help pay for groceries or gas; tuition gap waiver for students who qualify for the Pell grant, covering remaining tuition and mandatory fees after applying for financial aid; and mandatory; a devoted advisor; special registration options to get students the courses that best fit their schedule; and enhanced academic and career assistance from campus support areas.

As students approach graduation, they will receive additional assistance to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program at WVU Parkersburg, another four-year college or enter the workplace, depending on their goals.

“I cannot say enough about the Ascend program,” said Nachelle Probst, a Pre-Nursing student. “The support from faculty and staff in my classes and tutoring is phenomenal. I also have a support system with my peers and am grateful to have met other driven individuals who help me along the way.”

To be eligible for Ascend, students must have less than 15 college credits (credits obtained by high school students are not counted unless they have 30 or more credits), minimum 2.0 GPA and enroll in an Ascend-approved major. Students must qualify for in-state tuition and re-apply for FAFSA and WV Invests each year, accepting all federal and state grants and scholarships.

WVU Parkersburg will host an Ascend Information Session on Tuesday, March 16 and Wednesday, March 24, at 7 p.m. Interested individuals may join the Zoom meeting at wvup.edu/join or watch the Facebook Live stream at wvup.edu/live.

Funded by a $1.7 million, five-year grant from Arnold Ventures, Ascend is modeled after the Accelerated Studies in Associate Programs (ASAP) at City University of New York’s (CUNY) colleges. Ascend is a part of a research study to learn how the program benefits students.

To learn more and apply, visit wvup.edu/ascend. Contact ascend@wvup.edu or 304.424.8353 for questions. The priority registration deadline is May 26, 2021.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 5, 2021) – The WVU Parkersburg Workforce and Economic Develop-ment team has announced the launch of the Sustainable Agriculture short-term program at the Riverhawk Farm.

Course topics will cover a variation of agriculture hands-on training, including Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Ranching, Soil Sampling and Preparation, Planting Methods, Marketing and Budgeting and many more. This course will offer students a chance to experience agriculture work at WVU Parkersburg’s own Riverhawk Farm taught by Agriculture Program Coordinator, Amy Wil-son, as well as local farmers, veteran farmers and skilled professionals in agriculture and agribusiness.

“The course in Agribusiness is designed for students who plan to seek employment on, manage or own a farm or seek employment in an agribusiness field,” said Wilson. “Students will learn activities that prepare them to apply sustainable agriculture practices and business principles involved in the organization, operation and management of a farm, ranch or agribusiness.”

Training and coursework begin March 29 and will end July 15 for a total of 90 hours. The course will consist of a Monday virtual class followed by Tuesday and Thursday evening labs providing hands-on experience. The goal is to increase the knowledge and skills necessary for students to work on or start up their own farms, and continue growing the agribusiness workforce. Students will be required to have physical attendance to ensure success in the program.

The cost is $2,000 per student for the entire program. Financial assistance is available to qualifying West Virginia residents to assist with cost. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a Sustainable Agriculture Certificate.

“Being involved with this program has allowed me to utilize my farming experience and expertise to guide others on a path of fulfillment and success through agriculture,” said Wilson. “COVID-19 has taught us the value of food security. Having a local, safe food supply is important to everyone, especially those of us here in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Working as a team, myself and other WVU Parkersburg employees, students and local farmers, we will build a model farm to portray successful agribusinesses in our community.”

Utilizing the Riverhawk Farm will give students and WVU Parkersburg partners the opportunity to network with local business owners, farmers and professionals in this field. It will also open up new channels for local agribusinesses to hire future graduates of this program to learn new practices and sustain the agricultural way of life. This course will continue to be offered in the future in the spring and summer months.

For more information about the Sustainable Agriculture program, contact Amy Wilson at 304-982-9043 or amy.wilson@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 10, 2021) – The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet Wednesday, March 10. Due to COVID-19, the members will not meet face-to-face. The meeting will take place at 3:15 p.m. via video conference.

For further details and instructions on how to attend the meeting, please contact Brady Whipkey at brady.whipkey@wvup.edu.

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

Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 1, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg awarded more than $1.46 million in funding to 1,424 students from COVID relief funds.
The college decided to award a $500 cash grant to every eligible student, plus additional funds to those who indicated greater financial need. The college’s Pell-eligible students received $1,100, and non-Pell-eligible students received $500.

Students awarded a grant will receive funds by as early as Wednesday, March 3, via the student’s requested refund method (direct deposit, BankMobile VIBE deposit or paper check in the mail).

“We are delighted to be able to support our students in this way. We know so many are persevering through very difficult times to continue their education. We are committed to helping keep their dreams alive, and we hope these significant funds will help them to finish the higher education they have started. As always, our students are our primary mission and concern,” WVU Parkersburg President Dr. Chris Gilmer said.

These funds are provided through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to assist students with financial expenses related to COVID-19. The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 is the new act that established the HEERF funding.

“We are so thankful to our elected leaders and other partners in Washington, Charleston and the Mid-Ohio Valley who are providing WVU Parkersburg with additional resources and support during this pandemic. We especially appreciate their vision to make these funds available so that we can offer enhanced support to our students and to the communities we proudly serve,” Gilmer added.

This is in addition to the May 2020 allotment that awarded a total of $876,544 in funding to 1,046 students, with grants ranging from $650 to $1,300.

WVU Parkersburg administration is pleased to be able to provide relief funding to all students eligible by federal standards who are attending classes at the Parkersburg Campus or Jackson County Center, realizing many students were in some way financially impacted by the disruption of switching to more online courses.

“We recognize that all of our students have been challenged financially and in other ways by this pandemic, and we want all of them to know that we support them and are here for them. We look forward to welcoming a large number of students for summer school in the coming weeks and a large group of new and returning students for the fall semester. Everyone is welcome at WVU Parkersburg, and we hope everyone will choose to take advantage of a high-quality, local higher education,” added Gilmer.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Feb. 26, 2021) – Singing, playing, comedy, spoken word and art, the WVUP’s Got Talent finale showcased a variety of talents during its second year of competition. Seven performers and four fine arts contestants battled it out during the virtual show on February 25, but only one took home the first-place trophy and $100 cash prize.

Olivia Kinder, a student in the Associate of Applied Science Child Development program, was named the 2021 WVUP’s Got Talent winner. Kinder performed “Fires” by Jordan St. Cyr.

“I chose this song because I go through a lot, and I know God is with me no matter what fire I’m in,” said Kinder. “I’ve been singing as long as I can remember, and my family inspires me to do so. I feel like we’re always singing together at the house.”

In addition to the judges’ marks, a People’s Choice Vote was calculated into each performers’ and artists’ scores. This year, WVUP’s Got Talent received over 600 People’s Choice Votes as audience members showed support for their favorite contestants.

Other finalists included: Valerie Bircher, Kalob Byers, Brandi Bush, Jacob Graham, Ryan Manley, Kimberly Matheny, Cameron Plauche, Lauren Sexton and Hannah Stephens.

To watch the WVUP’s Got Talent grand finale, visit wvup.edu/live or youtube.com/wvuparkersburg. Learn more about the WVUP’s Got Talent show and meet the performers at wvup.edu/talent.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 12, 2021) – The WVU Parkersburg Sigma Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa recently invited 510 students to join its chapter this semester. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the official International Honor Society for two-year colleges. PTK recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for members to grow as scholars and leaders.

In the past, members of the Sigma Omega Chapter have participated in national and regional conferences, completed research and service projects and received awards for their work. Past chapter members have also been recognized as members of the West Virginia and All-American Academic Teams.

Eligible students must be currently enrolled in a college degree program, complete a minimum number of credit hours depending on their major and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Prospective members were notified via their WVU Parkersburg student email with a letter from President Dr. Chirs Gilmer, and applications are due no later than Friday, March 26. The chapter is hosting a virtual information session, Jump Start with PTK, on Wednesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. New members will be inducted during a live virtual ceremony on Tuesday, March 30.

For more information about Phi Theta Kappa, contact one of the chapter advisors: Marie Butler (mbutler1@wvupe.edu), Andrew Rochus (arochus1@wvup.edu), or Andrew Walker (wwalker1@wvup.edu).

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 18, 2021) – As WVU Parkersburg observes its 60th anniversary of providing educational opportunities to the Mid-Ohio Valley, the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation invites students, faculty and alumni to participate in the Memory Garden project, which links the college’s past to the future. By purchasing a brick inscribed with a student, alumni or a loved one’s name, and a personal message, the WVU Parkersburg campus will carry that value with it forever.

The Memory Garden is located on the campus front lawn by the clocktower. The student, alumni or loved one’s name or message etched on a brick will symbolize the spirit felt when that person’s presence was on campus. Or, perhaps in honor of faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni or others to be remembered in a lifetime garden.

“The Memory Garden is part of the Eldon Miller Plaza. It is a place where people can honor the legacy or memory of employees, students, staff and faculty of WVU Parkersburg. Dr. Eldon Miller served as president of this college from 1982 to 2000,” said Dr. Torie Jackson, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “It has been in existence for many years. The Faculty Senate and Staff Council often purchase bricks for retiring faculty and staff. For many years, they held a pie-in-the-face auction to raise these funds.”

Below is the pricing for the Memory Garden:

One brick • $50 for 3 engraved lines
Two bricks • $95 for 6 engraved lines
Bench plaque • $500 for five engraved lines
Planter plaque • $500 for five or more engraved liens

Contact the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation at foundation@wvup.edu or 304-424-8247 to learn more or give.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 12, 2021) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg will celebrate Black History Month with two virtual events, including a keynote talk about diversity with Dr. Rodney Smith, vice president for Access and Engagement at William Jewell College.

The first event, “A View from a Black Perspective,” will take place on Wednesday, February 17, at 11 a.m. WVU Parkersburg student Sedonie Beckford will interview Dr. Steven Smith about his journey through academia, challenges and opportunities facing the black community and the importance of Black History Month.

Dr. Steven Smith is the college’s first black vice president of Enrollment Management and Jackson County Center dean and CEO.

“This is an opportunity to share a perspective that is often lost in translation, and to provide truth and clarity about racial experiences that can sometimes not be clearly understood,” said Dr. Steven Smith.

The second event, “Let’s Talk Diversity,” will take place on Wednesday, February 24, at 12:15 p.m. Dr. Rodney Smith will provide insight into the implications of race and racism in American society, the Black Lives Matter movement and more.

In addition to his roles at William Jewel College, Dr. Rodney Smith is a graduate adjunct professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Education, where he teaches courses addressing racial and ethnic diversity and cultural understanding. He also published a book, “Are We Really Crabs in a Barrel: The Truth and Other Insights About the African American Community,” as well as a chapter in an anthology entitled “The Trayvon Martin in US: An American Tragedy.”

Both events will be streamed on WVU Parkersburg’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 9, 2021) – The opportunity for Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College students to turn their Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees into Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in Elementary Education at WVU Parkersburg will begin in Fall 2021. The institutions’ partnership formally recognizes their commitment to expanding educational opportunities for the state.

“Eastern is thrilled to reunite with WVU Parkersburg for a 2+2 partnership in Elementary Education,” said Eastern President Dr. Chuck Terrell. “This is an accessible and affordable pathway for students and a greatly needed partnership to provide quality educators for West Virginia.”

W.Va. is experiencing significant teacher storages and ranks near last in the number of residents holding at least a bachelor’s degree. Eastern and WVU Parkersburg’s 2+2 Agreement will help meet the state’s economic needs and ensure an educated and prepared workforce.

“This collaboration with our CTC colleagues at Eastern provides an incredible opportunity for West Virginia students from across the state to pursue the teaching profession without going far from home,” said WVU Parkersburg Provost Chad Crumbaker. “We are happy to be again partnering with Eastern for the B.A. and hope to provide additional similar opportunities for our students.”

To be eligible for the B.A. program, Eastern students must complete an A.S. with a concentration in Elementary Education. Concentration and B.A. courses will be offered through WVU Parkersburg on Eastern’s campus via Zoom, Live, Blackboard, hybrid or web. All field placements, including student teaching, will be completed in Eastern’s service area and supervised by Sherry Michael, Eastern Education Programs coordinator.

“I am very excited to be a part of the WVUP and Eastern 2+2 agreement in Elementary Education, and I look forward to working with everyone involved in the program,” said Michael. “With the local need of teachers in our surrounding areas, I know this will be a great opportunity for our colleges and local communities.”
Students who qualify for financial aid will receive aid at Eastern for the first two years. Upon graduation from Eastern and acceptance into WVU Parkersburg’s Elementary Education program, students must re-apply for financial aid at WVU Parkersburg.

“I’m so excited to be working with the Eastern community again. My last experience working with students from this area was outstanding,” said Dr. David Lancaster, WVU Parkersburg Education Division chairperson. “We can change our students’ lives, and the lives of the children of West Virginia; what an opportunity!”

To learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s Elementary Education program, visit wvup.edu/education. To get started on your journey at Eastern, visit easternwv.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (February 5, 2021) – Two WVU Parkersburg students recently placed in the Fall 2020 West Virginia Criminal Justice Educators Association (WVCJEA) Paper Competition. In addition to winning a cash prize, both students’ papers will be published in the association’s peer-reviewed journal, the Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice.

Cody Salvatore, a December 2020 graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, won first place for his paper, “Diversity in Criminal Justice Education.” Early College student Hannah Stephens won second place for her paper, “Improving Policing: Criticisms and Supports.”

Stephens’ paper addresses the essential principles of policing, different issues facing policing today and proposed solutions to those problems.

“It is an amazing feeling to have my paper receive the recognition that it has. I am thrilled to have people read my essay and really think about what it could mean,” said Stephens. “Without the classes and expertise I received from my professors, the ideas I explained in my paper would not have taken off.”

Upon graduation, Stephens plans to become a police officer in the Wood County area.

The Paper Competition is a part of the WVCJEA’s annual conference and is open to any criminal justice undergraduate student whose institution is a member of the association. WVU Parkersburg has been a member since 2014 and attends the conference to share and listen to the research of faculty, students and criminal justice professionals around the state.

“I am always inspired by the hard work and perseverance all our students display. Both Cody and Hannah went above and beyond this past fall to perfect their papers and submit them for competition, and I am extremely pleased with their achievements,” said Andrew Walker, WVU Parkersburg assistant professor of criminal justice. “It is exciting for them to have a paper published in a peer-reviewed journal this early in their academic careers. Their success is one example of the many opportunities our students have here in the criminal justice program at WVUP.”

Visit wvup.edu/criminal-justice for more information or to apply to WVU Parkersburg’s criminal justice program. To learn more about WVCJEA and the Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice, visit mds.marshall.wvu.edu.