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West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) has announced the 2024 Presidential Leadership Award winners. One graduating student from the College of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences and the WVU School of Nursing Beckley Campus were selected for demonstrating extensive involvement in campus and community activities, representing the college and university in local, regional and national forums and achieving academic excellence.

This year’s winners are Carmen Camino Falcon from the Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences, Makenzie Holley from the College of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences and Paige Shafor from the WVU School of Nursing Beckley Campus.

Alexis Zilinski’s childhood spent participating in 4-H programs instilled in her a passion for learning, civic engagement and community service.

The Southern West Virginia Junior Nursing Academy, hosted by the West Virginia University School of Nursing, will be August 13-14, 2024. The day camp will be held on WVU Tech’s campus and give participants a sneak peek of what it might be like to be a college nursing student while giving them hands-on experiences.

There is no cost to attend, but spots are limited. Students must have at least a 3.0 grade point average and be entering the 8th, 9th or 10th grade in August 2024. Applicants must also submit a one-page essay that explains their interest in nursing and why they want to attend.

The academy will run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day, with an award and pinning ceremony on August 14. Each participant will receive a uniform, shirt, stethoscope, backpack and blood pressure cuff. 

Students will take trips to two local hospitals, learn how to take vital signs and have a better understanding of the nursing field. Each student is paired with a professional registered nurse as their mentor for the week.

Hillary Parcell, Assistant Professor and Department Chair of the WVU School of Nursing Beckley Campus, says she wants the camp to address the nursing shortage and to reach students in their middle school and early high school educations so they can be better prepared for a career in nursing.

“We enjoy hosting this camp for southern West Virginia because it is such a great hands-on opportunity to expose young minds to the profession of nursing,” says Parcell.

The Southern West Virginia Junior Nursing Academy is sponsored by the West Virginia Center for Nursing, Raleigh General Hospital, Appalachian Regional Hospital, AirEvac, WVU Tech and the WVU School of Nursing.

Applications are open now and will be accepted until March 15, 2024. Apply for the camp or get more information at camps.wvutech.edu. Questions can be sent to Hillary Parcell at heparcell@mail.wvu.edu or 304-929-1321.

West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) is inviting everyone in the community to their Homecoming basketball games on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the Beckley Raleigh County Convention Center. The games are free and open to the public thanks to Tech’s Communiversity partner, Pendleton Community Bank (PCB).

Doors open at noon for games, prizes and giveaways. 

Raleigh County Schools (RCS) and West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) are working collaboratively to host the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences’ Clay2Go mobile exhibit in Beckley.

This experience will give more than 2,000 students from the 17 RCS elementary schools the opportunity to expand their knowledge of principles in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through interactive play. It promotes critical thinking through trial and error, experimentation, problem-solving and independent learning. During their visit, students will also explore all that the WVU Tech campus has to offer during a campus tour and enjoy lunch in the dining hall.

“This partnership is another example of our Communiversity focus that ensures we are working hand-in-hand with educational partners like Raleigh County Schools and the Clay Center to provide educational and growth opportunities for our young people,” said Dr. T. Ramon Stuart, President of WVU Tech. “We want to make sure that students in our region see what is possible for their futures and that these educational and career opportunities are available to them right here at home at WVU Tech.”

“Raleigh County Schools continues to expand the learning environment for its students,” shared Dr. Serena Starcher, Superintendent of Raleigh County Schools. “Through this partnership with WVU Tech and the Clay Center, we believe our students have a tremendous opportunity to explore STEM-related fields and concepts. Also, as RCS strives to prepare students for their future, we look forward to providing them the opportunity to tour our local university. We hope this experience provides our students a small glimpse of what their future could hold and what is available to them here in Beckley.”

Groups of third through fifth grade RCS students will visit WVU Tech for the Clay2Go mobile exhibit from February 7 to February 29, 2024. The exhibit will be housed at the Neville Auditorium located at 410 Neville Street, Beckley, West Virginia.

In addition to serving students for school-based field trips, Raleigh County Schools will host family evening events on February 20 and February 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

“We are so proud to offer Clay2Go as a resource for public schools throughout the state. We believe every child in West Virginia deserves to learn about the scientific wonders of our world, regardless of whether they can make it to our permanent location in Charleston,” says Clay Center President and CEO Al Najjar.

For information about the school visits and family events, contact the RCS Superintendent’s Office at (304) 256-4500, ext. 3308.

West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) and Beckley Success Closet are joining forces to elevate opportunities for career success. This collaboration aims to transition the three-year-old Beckley Success Closet into a collaborative offering working with WVU Tech and other community organizations to meet the needs of the campus and larger community.
 
One of the founding members, Robert Dunlap, states the Beckley Success Closet, “has been a beacon of support for individuals seeking assistance in securing appropriate attire for job interviews and professional settings.”
 
“Recognizing the pivotal role attire plays in the employment process, WVU Tech has embraced the opportunity to enhance the Beckley Success Closet,” continued Dunlap. “The collaboration is not just about clothing; it symbolizes a commitment to equipping Beckley students and citizens with the tools and confidence necessary for success in their chosen career paths.”
 
"We are honored to partner with the Beckley Success Closet in this transformative and collaborative effort," said Dr. Ramon Stuart, president of WVU Tech. "This initiative aligns seamlessly with our mission to provide holistic support to our students and our Communiversity initiative. Together, we aim to bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that individuals are not only academically prepared but also professionally equipped," Stuart shared.
 
Collaborations with community partners will allow for additional resources and programming to further enhance the career readiness of participants. 
 
“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Kristi Dumas, Owner of the Dumas Psychology Collective, April Elkins Badtke of Conservation Legacy, and all of our volunteers for making this initiative a success for the betterment of our City,” shared Dunlap.
 
Susan Wood, Director of Career and Professional Development, shared that while an official transition ceremony is not yet scheduled, WVU Tech volunteers will be working to sort and organize the clothing items in the coming months, working toward a ribbon cutting in the fall of 2024.

West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) has received a grant for more than$70,000 from the Health Sciences Technology Academy (HSTA) for a high school science, engineering, math, technology and medicine (STEM+M) Summer Institute this summer.

The partnership between WVU Tech and HSTA will allow for approximately 100 students high school sophomores and ten teachers from across West Virginia to visit WVU Tech during the summer. The students will explore STEM and health science opportunities by working with faculty at Tech. 

West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) has released its fall 2023 Dean’s and President’s lists.

A total of 319 students earned honors during the fall semester.

In all, 180 students were named to the Dean’s list, having earned a 3.5 GPA or higher. The University’s President’s list included 139 students who earned a 4.0 GPA.

The President’s and Dean’s list for both the Leonard C. Nelson School of Engineering and Sciences and the College of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences can be found here.

Students majoring in nursing or pre-nursing will be listed under the College of Business, Humanities and Social Sciences lists.

West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) is announcing a partnership with Chef Paul Smith. The agreement is specifically related to the two-year culinary program, which is offered through Potomac State College and hosted on WVU Tech’s campus in Beckley, which opened in 2020.

Smith is the first West Virginian to be a finalist for a James Beard Foundation award. Smith has multiple restaurants in the Charleston, West Virginia area, including 1010 Bridge Restaurant & Catering, Ellen’s Ice Cream and The Pitch Sports Bar & Grill. He is also a chef partner with the Humble Tomato in Lewisburg, West Virginia, Barkadas in Charleston, West Virginia and Retro Hospitality, a hotel management group based in Richmond, Virginia.