WVU Parkersburg Board discusses Innovation Drive, new initiatives and Farm-to-School program

 Parkersburg, W.Va. (April 28, 2025) —WVU Parkersburg’s Board of Governors met Tuesday, April 15, where President Dr. Torie Jackson highlighted updates on the Innovation and Technology Center, the What’s Your Thing? Initiative, and the Riverhawk Farm during her report.

“The City of Vienna recently approved our request to rename Campus View Drive to Innovation Drive – the roadway that leads to our new Innovation and Technology Center (ITC). This change is more than symbolic; it reflects the transformation already underway, where the once-quiet street now serves as the gateway to a bold new future for education, workforce development and entrepreneurship in our region,” Jackson said. “As we prepare to open the doors to the Innovation and Technology Center, the new name sets the tone for what lies ahead: a hub where students will gain hands-on experience alongside industry partners, where local businesses will collaborate on real-world projects, and where ideas will be nurtured into solutions that benefit the entire Mid-Ohio Valley. ‘Innovation Drive’ represents our direction, our mindset and our invitation for the community to join us on a path paved with opportunity.”

The What’s Your Thing? Initiative is aims to connect students’ personal interests with potential college and career paths through immersive, guided experiences on campus. Eighth-grade students from VanDevender Middle School visited the campus, where they explored classroom demonstrations, participated in skills-based activities and engaged in career conversations with WVU Parkersburg faculty and staff.

“The event not only provided practical exposure to various fields, but also inspired students to consider new career possibilities, with some expressing newfound interests in professions like nursing and welding,” Jackson said.

Jackson explained that this is only the beginning of the program, with plans to expand it to more eighth-grade classes across the region and introduce follow-up components for students in ninth through 12th grade.

“Our Riverhawk Farm has been a dynamic center of agricultural education and community engagement. This year, we hosted the inaugural Agriculture Expo and welcomed more than 20 vendors and organizations to connect with students and showcase the region’s agricultural opportunities,” Jackson said. “Additionally, the Farm to School Agrication program provides high school students with hands on experience in farming practices – from harvesting potatoes to learning about sustainable agriculture –while earning a stipend for their work. These initiatives not only educate but also inspire the next generation of agricultural professionals.”

Jackson said the F2S Agrication program will continue this year, supported by a $114,435 Perkins Collaborative Reserve Grant that was awarded just last week.

The farm has also received several other contributions, including:

• $150,000 from Mike Miller
• $139, 749. 19 from the Specialty Crop Block Grant for Veterans & Heroes Specialty Crop Education Program
• $61,000 from the Benedum Foundation for the F2S Agrication program
• $39,925 from the West Virginia First Foundation for the F2S Agrication program
• $6,500 from Farm Credit of the Virginias for workforce development in agriculture
• $53,000 from the Specialty Crop Block Grant to enhance specialty crop production in the Mid-Ohio Valley
• $10,000 from the Tilmor Tractor Grant

While addressing action items on the agenda:

• The board unanimously approved the 2025-26 Fiscal Year Budget
• The board unanimously approved an articulation agreement with WVU to offer an Associate of Applied Science in Engineering Technology at WVU Parkersburg, allowing students to transfer to WVU to complete their bachelor’s degree

The next WVU Parkersburg Board of Governors meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.