Parkersburg, W.Va. (Oct. 19, 2022) – Last month, students in the WVU Parkersburg Criminal Justice Family Violence course had the opportunity to visit the Children’s Listening Place in Parkersburg, W.Va., to learn more about advocacy and support for child victims in the area.

The Children’s Listening Place is a safe, child-friendly environment where child protection, criminal justice and child treatment professionals work together to investigate abuse in Calhoun, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wirt and Wood counties. The students toured the facility and met with staff, some of who are WVU Parkersburg alumni, and observed a mock forensic interview.

“To me, the experience was really eye-opening as to how they get information from the children,” WVU Parkersburg student Jamie Enoch said. “It was a great learning experience.”

“Hands-on activities like these are common in the Criminal Justice program,” Criminal Justice Program Coordinator Andrew Walker said. “They give our students opportunities to actively apply what they learn in class and build connections to the community and system they plan to work in once they graduate.”

For more information on WVU Parkersburg’s Criminal Justice program, visit wvup.edu/criminal-justice.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Oct. 6, 2022) – First observed in October 1981, Domestic Violence Awareness Month connects survivors, advocates and service providers in a collective effort to raise awareness about, and end, the crime of abuse. Also advocating is the WVU Parkersburg Criminal Justice student organization as they will host the local Domestic Violence Clothesline Project to bring to light the stories of victims and survivors in the region.

The local Domestic Violence Clothesline Project will be on display Oct. 10-14, from 12:15-1 p.m., in the Criminal Justice Courtroom on the main campus.

Started in 1990, the Clothesline Project is an artistic display of t-shirts decorated by survivors of domestic violence, or created in honor of someone who has experienced violence and hung on a clothesline to serve as a testimony of the problem. Each t-shirt reflects the experience of the creator, and the color of each shirt identifies a particular instance of violence:

White – Those who have died as a result of violence.

Yellow – Survivors of physical assault, and or, domestic violence.

Red, pink and orange – Survivors of rape or sexual assault.

Blue and green – Survivors of incest or childhood sexual abuse.

Purple and lavender – Those who have been attacked because of their sexual orientation.

Brown and gray – Survivors of emotional, spiritual or verbal abuse.

Black – Those who have been attacked or assaulted because of a disability.

“Each year, 12 million people suffer from intimate partner violence,” said Andrew Walker, WVU Parkersburg assistant professor and Criminal Justice student organization advisor. “Domestic Violence Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to remember victims and celebrate survivors of domestic violence. Hosting the Clothesline Project on campus brings the stories of victims and survivors to life and reminds us these are not faceless statistics.”

The WVU Parkersburg Criminal Justice student organization will also be collecting items including kitchen-sized trash bags, toilet paper, and paper towels for the Parkersburg Family Crisis Intervention Center, a domestic violence safe haven, which services Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood counties. Donations may be dropped off at the WVU Parkersburg Criminal Justice Courtroom or the Division of Professional Studies office (room 1018).

For more information about the project or to donate, please contact Andrew Walker at wwalker1@wvup.edu or 304-424-8429.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (September 29, 2022) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Fine Arts Committee and Art Club are hosting the third annual Poorhouse Cemetery clean up. The event will take place on Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the cemetery on the main campus.

This event is open to students, staff, and faculty members from WVU Parkersburg and to the public. Participants will meet at the Poorhouse Cemetery on campus to pick up trash, straighten existing crosses, and spruce up veteran graves to prepare for Veteran’s Day. The committee recommends that participants bring tools for cutting back branches, gloves, and old shoes.

Poor farms were common in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Farms declined after the Social Security Act took effect in 1935. By 1950, poor farms had almost completely disappeared. A poorhouse could serve as a hospital, nursing home, orphanage, halfway home, or temporary prison.

“Residents were expected to work the fields, tend the livestock, clean, cook and help maintain the property to the extent that their health or physical abilities would allow. In return, they were given food, clothing, shelter, and medical care,” said Dr. Lauri Reidmiller, associate professor and advisor of the Art Club.

The Poor Farm Cemetery honors over 1,000 residents, including veterans, ex-slaves, infants, and other residents from the Wood County Poorhouse.

“The chance to take part in the project gives my students an interesting peek into our local history. Most students who attend WVU Parkersburg are not aware of the significance of the graveyard. Learning about historical events is not so abstract when they are tied to a specific person or family from our own community,” Reidmiller said.

The Fine Arts Committee and Art Club’s mission is to not only promote the arts and provide opportunities to explore the arts but also to promote community service. The Fine Art Committee publishes The Poorhouse Rag, the college’s annual literary magazine. Named after the Poorhouse Cemetery, the magazine publishes prose, poetry, children’s literature, and artwork addressing themes of social justice. WVU Parkersburg also observes Poorhouse Week, remembering the Poorhouse of Wood County which once stood on college grounds.

Another Poor Farm Cemetery cleanup will take place in the Spring. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Dr. Lauri Reidmiller at lreidmil@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Sept. 26, 2022) – WVU Parkersburg’s Art Club will be selling decorated pumpkins outside of the multi-purpose room on the main campus. The event will take place Wednesday, Sept. 28 and Thursday, Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Every pumpkin is hand-crafted and made with love by the members of the Art Club,” SGA President and Art Club member L.V. Hissem said. The club is selling the pumpkins for $5 each.

The goal of the fundraiser is to help fund an educational trip to New York City.  The club will visit the Metropolitan Art Museum, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and other cultural events to expand their artistic experience and education.

The art club is an inclusive campus organization that all students are welcome to join. The club meets on Thursdays in the Room 3305 from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, contact Art Club Advisor Dr. Lauri Reidmiller at lreidmil@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (September 26, 2022) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Phi Theta Kappa Sigma Omega chapter sponsored an Adopt a Highway cleanup Saturday, September 24 during the statewide fall clean up event.
“Fourteen volunteers braved the weather and came out to pick up litter from the edge of the roadways around campus, including Nicolette Road, Swisher Lane, Woodberry Lane and Campus Drive,” said Marie Butler, PTK Advisor.
PTK is an invitation only honor society on campus. To be eligible, students must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average and completed at least 12 credit hours of associate degree work.
“I was so pleased Dr. Uta Hempel was able to join us again for this event. She is vital in pointing out poisonous plants for us to avoid as well as providing us the names of the wildflowers we see along the way. It enhances our service project,” Butler said.
The event was open to all members of the campus community. The Adopt a Highway cleanup event also fills required community service hours for the WV Invests, Ascend, Elementary Education and Nursing programs.
For more information about PTK, contact advisors Marie Butler at mbutler1@wvup.edu or Andrew Walker at wwalker1@wvup.edu.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Sept. 22, 2022) – WVU Parkersburg’s Professional Studies Division is hosting a Fall Speaker Series where prominent local leaders share their success stories. The series of presentations will take place from August to November on the last Wednesday of each month. This month’s speakers are accounting professionals from McDonough, Eddy, Poling & Baylous A.C. (MEPB) Accounting & Financial Services.

Benjamin M. Poling is the current president and managing shareholder of MEPB. He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration and a Regents Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University at Parkersburg. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Additionally, he is accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Rachel V. Poling joined MEPB in 2017. She holds a Regents Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Business Administration from West Virginia University at Parkersburg and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Charleston. She is currently working towards obtaining her CPA license.  Mrs. Poling is a member of the West Virginia Society of Public Accountants (WVSCPA), an Intuit QuickBooks ProAdvisor, and the president of the Parkersburg Chapter of the WVSCPA Board of Directors.

“It is an intentional effort, on the part of the Division of Professional Studies, to provide the community with the opportunity to enjoy a vibrant, intellectually stimulating event and engage with a respected local professional,” Assistant Professor Andrew Walker said.

The Fall Speaker Series will be presented on Sept. 28, from 12:15 to 1 p.m., in the College Theater. All community members are welcome to attend the event free of cost.

For more information, visit wvup.edu/fallspeakerseries.

Parkersburg, W.Va. (September 16, 2022) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Board of Governors will meet Tuesday, September 20, 2022. The meeting will take place at 3:15 p.m. in the Francis & Nina Phares Board Room (Room 1300).

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

Parkersburg, W.Va. (September 12, 2022) – West Virginia University at Parkersburg is proud to announce its Fall 2022 student teacher candidates, teacher residents and Clinical Teachers of Record.

“The Education faculty is very proud of our student teachers, residents and Clinical Teachers of Record,” said Elementary Education Professor Dr. Missy Spivy. “These individuals have worked extremely hard to complete our rigorous program and are thoroughly prepared both in content knowledge and teaching methodologies.”

The WVU Parkersburg Elementary Education program provides field experience in the classroom as early as the freshman year.

With the traditional student teaching model, teacher candidates spend one semester in two classrooms and quickly assume teaching responsibilities under the mentorship of an experienced teacher until they are teaching full-time.

The residency model places teacher candidates in one classroom for their entire senior year, and they assume teaching responsibilities gradually.

Due to the teacher shortage in West Virginia, WVU Parkersburg has also placed Clinical Teachers of Record in Jackson and Wood counties. A Clinical Teacher of Record assumes the role of a teacher without a cooperating teacher. They receive pay and benefits and have complete responsibility of the classroom.

“Entering student teaching feels surreal after the majority of our classroom experience has been during the pandemic,” said Lexi Miller, WVU Parkersburg student teacher candidate. “Despite the challenges, I firmly believe the adversity we encountered over the past few years, along with the guidance of our fellow cooperating teachers and education faculty at WVU-P, have molded us into resilient student teachers who are prepared for anything. We look forward to entering the field and making a difference in this world.”

The Fall 2022 class of student teacher candidates includes:

Allison Boyd
Jahlea Bumpus
Lexi Miller
Brooke Shouldis

The Fall 2022 class of teacher residents includes:

Sierra Backus
Olivia Dailey
Madison Dye
Brandy Edgar
Lakyn Gray
Emily Hatfield
Lexis Hill
Rylee Kisner
Heather Lawson
Allie Perkins
Jessica Perkins
Sierra Runner
Olivia Smith
Ashley Ward
Staclyn White

The Fall 2022 class of Clinical Teachers of Record includes:

Chase Baker
Anna Kimble

 

 

 

To learn more about the Elementary Education program, please visit wvup.edu/education.

Contact Dr. David Lancaster, Professional Studies dean, at david.lancaster@wvup.edu or 304-424-8314 to start a career in Elementary Education.

Program prepares nursing students to respond to cardiac arrest events competently, confidently

Parkersburg, W.Va. (August 29, 2022) – Patients who suffer a cardiac arrest must receive the highest quality CPR possible, known to be the cornerstone for survival. More than 209,000 in-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the U.S., with survival rates of about 26% from adult in-hospital cardiac arrests.

For decades, the CPR training standard for healthcare providers has been Basic Life Support, requiring participants to renew their course completion card every two years. However, studies show CPR skills can decay within three to six months following this training.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Nursing and Health Sciences Division recognizes the importance of high-quality CPR competence and performance to save more lives. Today, the university launched Resuscitation Quality Improvement® (RQI®), a program co-developed by the American Heart Association® and Laerdal Medical, to help elevate high-quality CPR skills — preparing future nursing professionals to respond to cardiac arrest events competently and confidently to help improve survival rates.

WVU Parkersburg is the first institution in the state — healthcare or higher education — to adopt the program. More than 150 nursing students are enrolled in Basic Life Support course instruction.

“We are excited to introduce the RQI program to our nurses of tomorrow to help them achieve, master, sustain and deliver high-quality CPR,” said Kathy Frum, WVU Parkersburg Nursing and Health Sciences dean.

“Embracing our nursing students’ participation in the program now places them on a path to continuous quality improvement learning and helps prepare them for a more seamless transition to clinical practice. We are furthering our culture of nursing education excellence and giving our students a head start at elevating their resuscitation skills and competence by leveraging this innovative program.”

Last September, the National League for Nursing (NLN), the premier professional organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education, announced a new partnership and collaboration with Laerdal Medical to help advance the transformation of the standard of resuscitation care for cardiac arrest.

Together with the American Heart Association and RQI Partners, the partnership between and service provider for Laerdal and the Association, the NLN is committed to supporting RQI program adoption by nursing programs at higher education institutions. Additionally, the organizations are co-developing a first-ever solution tailored to the more than 150,000 students who graduate annually from nursing and allied health education programs at U.S. colleges and universities.

“Preparing our students for success in their future healthcare careers means providing the most effective and progressive educational resources, instruction and technology,” said Dr. Stephanie Stout, WVU Parkersburg Nursing and Health Sciences simulation coordinator. “Collaborating with these nursing and resuscitation education leaders on RQI program adoption affords a new, dynamic, digital learning experience tailored to students, faculty and administrators’ unique needs. We look forward to advancing how our faculty members teach and our future nursing professionals learn, excel, and ultimately, help save lives.”

RQI is self-directed, simulation-based mastery learning and performance provided through cognitive and hands-on CPR quality improvement sessions that measure and verify competence. The program employs a “low-dose, high-frequency” model requiring healthcare providers to complete course assignments in short sessions every quarter on a simulation station.

In 2018, the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, and Laerdal, one of the world leaders in medical simulation and resuscitation training, called for a new standard of care by shifting resuscitation practice from training once every two years to verified CPR competence for healthcare professionals.

RQI Partners delivers the RQI program.

“Our organizations have a shared commitment to excellence in nursing education,” said Dr. Beverly Malone, National League for Nursing president and CEO.

“We look forward to collaborating with the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Nursing and Health Sciences Division to empower its nursing students to help advance the health of the nation and the global community, thereby achieving excellence in nursing education and competency-based resuscitation. Encouraging RQI adoption in higher education presents a groundbreaking and game-changing opportunity to maximize the lifesaving potential of nurses, other healthcare professionals and the people we serve. We are ushering in a new era in healthcare education and resuscitation preparedness and thrilled the university has joined us on this journey.”

Since the RQI program’s introduction in 2015, more than 2,400 hospitals and two million nurses have adopted and enrolled in the program. More significantly, it is estimated that 20,000 lives have been saved.

To learn more about the RQI program, visit heart.org, laerdal.com and rqipartners.com.