Parkersburg, W.Va. (July 16, 2024) — WVU Parkersburg will host an Early College Catch-Up Day on Wednesday, July 17 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Student Lounge, to help high school students catch up on their applications.

WVU Parkersburg’s Early College program allows high school students to earn college credits while earning their high school diploma. Participants in the program get to jumpstart their college experience by taking classes alongside regular college students.

“Students who take advantage of dual credit/early college are able to fulfill needed general education courses while still experiencing the safety net of their high school environment and at a less expensive tuition,” said President Dr. Torie Jackson. “At WVU Parkersburg, we are thrilled to partner with 13 high schools and vocational technical centers to provide courses for students that enable them to expand opportunities and to realize that college may be the correct path for them.”

WVU Parkersburg’s Early College program allows eligible high school students to take college level courses on their school’s campus or at a WVU Parkersburg campus for a reduced tuition rate. During the Spring 2024 semester, 15 Early College students applied for and earned their Certificate of Applied Science (CAS) in General Education, one student applied for and earned their CAS in Patient Care Technology and four applied for and earned their CAS in Welding.

To earn a CAS in General Education, a student must successfully complete 30 credit hours from courses in math, Science, English, fine arts, and other designated areas of study with a 2.0 or higher overall GPA. for the CAS in Patient Care Technology, students must successfully complete 31 credit hours from courses in Health Sciences, math, science, and English, with a 2.0 or higher overall GPA. To earn a CAS in Welding, a student must successfully complete 30 credit hours from courses in welding, math and English courses, with a 2.0 or higher overall GPA.

Students earning their CAS in General Education include:

Doddridge County High School — Sidney Hinzman; Alexia Whitehair;

Parkersburg Catholic High School — Grace Sprout;

Parkersburg South High School — Oulwatobi Adebulu; Catherine Evans; Riley Shockey;

St Marys High School — Andlyn Corathers; Sydney Cummings; Cole Darnold; Jaela Davis; Sophie Greenleaf; Layne Kincaid; Joleen McBrayer; Willow Peyton;

Tyler Consolidated High School — Randalyn Orr;

Students earning their CAS in PCT include:

Ritchie County High School — Dylan Edwards;

Students earning their CAS in Welding include:

Parkersburg High School — Nicholas Isaacs;

Parkersburg South High School — Riley Blevins; Chandler Forshey; Skyler Montgomery

WVU Parkersburg’s Early College is open to all public school districts, private schools and homeschools in the college’s service area. For more information about WVU Parkersburg’s Early College Program, please visit wvup.edu/EarlyCollege or contact EarlyCollege@wvup.edu.