For Immediate Release:

Contact:
Alesa Martin, Director of Institutional Marketing
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Phone: 304.442.1005 • Fax: 304.442.3052
Email: alesa.martin@mail.wvu.edu

WVU Tech Among the Top Comprehensive Colleges in the South

Montgomery, WV – According to the recent release of U.S.News & World Report’s 2007 America’s Best Colleges edition, WVU Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) was named among the top 100 Best Comprehensive Colleges in the South for Bachelor’s degrees. This list includes both public and private institutions located in the Southern portion of the United States.

In order to meet the criteria as a comprehensive college, an institution must offer a range of different degree programs such as WVU Tech’s vast array of unique and high-demand four-year program offerings. A few of the key criteria includes lowest acceptance rates, highest graduation rates and highest proportion of classes under 20.

Many of WVU Tech’s programs have resulted from business and industry demands for specialized job skills. Employers need graduates to be ready to hit the ground running, and WVU Tech has provided graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to do so. With programs such as Accounting Fraud Management, Criminal Justice Administration, Nursing, Graphic Design, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science and Business Management to name a few, WVU Tech has given their graduates the competitive edge on the global workforce.

In addition, the Community and Technical College at WVU Tech also provides many specialized programs on the two-year degree and certificate levels including Diesel Technology, Printing Technology, Dental Hygiene, Building Construction Technology, Office Technology, Online Medical Transcription, Engineering Technology, Computer & Information Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Electrical Mining Specialist Certificate, Electro-mechanical Mining Specialist Certificate, Mechanical Mining Specialist Certificate, Computer Security Certificate and Medical Assistant Certificate.

According to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 30 fastest growing occupations all fall into the following categories: health/medical, computer/information system security, forensics/law enforcement, education and engineering.

“WVU Tech has diligently worked to provide the kind of programs that reflect the changes in the workforce and the growth of technology,” explained WVU Tech President Charles Bayless. “We are very proud to be able to provide four-year degree programs that target these emerging specialized fields of expertise. It definitely gives our graduates the competitive edge.”

Industries relating to areas of construction, mining and manufacturing are also in need of skilled and knowledgeable workers. Statistics by the BLS indicate the construction industry employment rates will increase 11.4% over the next ten years, and the machinery manufacturing industry shows favorable growth for skilled workers.

The National Mining Association estimates that the nation will need approximately 50,000 new mining-related positions across the U.S. to meet increasing demands and to replace retirees over the next ten years.

WVU Institute of Technology, a regional campus of West Virginia University, is a four-year institution that offers a variety of baccalaureate degree programs in high-demand fields such as Engineering, Nursing, Printing Management, Business Management, Life Sciences, Computer Science, Health Services Administration and many more. WVU Tech also offers a masters degree program in Control Systems Engineering. Nestled in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, WVU Tech is located in Montgomery, WV, and offers academic centers in Beckley, Charleston, Huntington, and Oak Hill. For more information about the WVU Tech, call 888-554-TECH or log-on to www.wvutech.edu.

###