The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors will meet Wednesday, Jan. 8. The meeting will take place at 3:15 p.m. in the Francis and Nina Phares Board Room (room 1300A) on the main campus. View the complete agenda here.

The Community and Technical College System (CTCS) of West Virginia today announced that it has been awarded a nearly $4.2 million grant from Arnold Ventures to pilot a program at West Virginia University Parkersburg and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College that supports students as they work toward their credentials.

Modeled after the highly successful Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) at City University of New York (CUNY), and informed by CUNY ASAP’s technical assistance, West Virginia’s program will provide academic, personal, and financial supports to help students at those two institutions complete their degrees in high-demand fields, such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, welding, and health care.

The goal, according to CTCS Chancellor Sarah Armstrong Tucker, is to pilot the program at WVU Parkersburg and Blue Ridge CTC, with the hope of dramatically increasing the number of students who enter and graduate from high-demand programs, and then move on to high-wage jobs. If effective, the CTCS will work to scale the program to all two-year institutions across the state.

“West Virginia’s system of community and technical colleges has become a national leader in implementing meaningful changes that have resulted in more of our students completing college,” Chancellor Tucker said. “But to reach our goal outlined in West Virginia’s Climb initiative – to arm 60 percent of our workforce with a postsecondary credential by 2030 – now is the time to double down on student success. This pilot project at WVU Parkersburg and Blue Ridge CTC, which we hope to ultimately expand statewide, is one of the most important ways we can get there. I thank Arnold Ventures for this remarkable investment in the Mountain State, and I thank CUNY for their leadership in developing this incredibly successful program.”

West Virginia’s program stems from Arnold Venture’s Moving the Needle initiative, which supports expanded implementation and evaluation of social programs with rigorous evidence of large, sustained impacts on meaningful life outcomes. Alongside this grant, Arnold Ventures will fund an independent randomized control trial to evaluate the impact of the program on college graduation and workforce earnings over time.

“ASAP is one of the only programs in higher education that, when rigorously evaluated in a randomized controlled trial, was found to produce meaningful, sustained impacts on degree attainment,” said Erin Crossett, Evidence-Based Policy Manager for Arnold Ventures. “We look forward to supporting WVU Parkersburg and Blue Ridge CTC as they implement ASAP in a new environment, with majors that are in-demand in the local economy. Understanding whether the impacts on graduation can replicate in West Virginia – and whether those graduation impacts yield an increase in earnings – is a critical next step towards scaling ASAP.”

Consistent with CUNY’s ASAP model, key program components at WVU Parkersburg and Blue Ridge CTC will include a student recruitment strategy, as well as early engagement that connects new students to the campus community. Financial resources will be provided to address participating students’ unmet needs beyond tuition aid – including tuition waivers, textbook assistance, and food and transportation stipends. Students also will be given structural pathways that allow them to fully enroll in academic programs more quickly, along with individualized support services in areas like advising, tutoring, and career preparation.

“Recruitment of students is important, but retention of students is even more critically important. Once we enroll them, we have both a joyful and a solemn responsibility to do everything within our power to ensure their success and completion,” said Dr. Chris Gilmer, President of WVU Parkersburg. “We consider our participation in CUNY’s ASAP replication to be a major step toward meeting our goal of turning every student possible into a graduate. We appreciate the confidence the Arnold Foundation has shown by selecting us for this prestigious partnership, and we commit ourselves fully to its success.”

“We are very excited to be partnering with CUNY to replicate their evidence-based model for student success,” echoed WVU Parkersburg Provost Chad Crumbaker. “Over the past several years WVU Parkersburg has implemented many changes to improve student success with great results and adding an even higher level of proven supports and resources will be invaluable to our students and the workforce in our region for many years to come.”

“Blue Ridge CTC is honored to be chosen for such an opportunity,” said Dr. Peter Checkovich, Blue Ridge CTC Founding President. “This partnership with Arnold Ventures, CUNY, CTCS, and Blue Ridge CTC is remarkable. The proven success of the CUNY replication model will provide much needed benefit for our students. The identified degree programs are all occupationally based, providing our regional industries with qualified employees. This is a win for all involved.”

At CUNY, ASAP has substantially improved students’ academic outcomes over three years, almost doubling graduation rates. According to a randomized control trial of CUNY ASAP, 40 percent of the program group students had received a degree by the end of the three-year follow-up period, compared with 22 percent of the control group – an 18-percentage point impact.

“CUNY is immensely proud of the trailblazing impact ASAP has had on more than 58,000 of our community college students since it was launched 13 years ago,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “ASAP has systematically improved outcomes and regularly doubles graduation rates for our students. We are pleased to know that, thanks to a generous grant from Arnold Ventures, students at two colleges in the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia will benefit from ASAP through this pilot.”

An initial cohort of qualifying students at WVU Parkersburg and Blue Ridge CTC will be selected to participate in the program in Fall 2020, with full implementation of the program in Fall 2021 and continuing through Spring 2025 – serving a total of 600 students.

Press release provided by Jessica Tice, Community and Technical College System of West Virginia.

After being born without a leg in May 2014, Keating was rescued by Mark and Nancy Miller, owners of Miller Prosthetics and Orthotics in the Mid-Ohio Valley, with the mission to continue making prosthetic legs for Keating as he grew. Keating became a therapy dog in 2016 and currently has the job of bringing smiles to those in need.

Keating recently brought smiles to the WVU Parkersburg Entrepreneur Center staff and local youth during the Teen 3D Printing Academy in July. His purpose, to show students a real-life example of how 3D printing technologies, and users, can change lives.

Entrepreneur Center Coordinator Logan Mace worked with the Millers to create a 3D printed prosthetic limb for Keating. Nancy brought in a 3D scan of Keating’s leg without a prosthetic, which Mace then imported into CAD software, Fusion 360 and Meshmixer, to design the prosthetic socket and foot sections (from a hand-drawn sketch of Nancy’s), make adjustments and fine-tune the alignment for comfortability and functionality.

“If it doesn’t fit and feel good to Keating, he won’t use it,” Nancy said.

3D printing the prosthetic limb was a trial and error process –  tweaks, adjustments and reprints had to be made. The first leg created for Keating was too small, the second was too thin and not aligned correctly, however, the next is in the works of being perfect. The prosthetic limb was made of a NinjaTek material, called Armadillo, in their most recent trial.

“Makerspaces really have the potential to be ground zero for real-world problem solving by individuals who may not have access to large amounts of capital or manufacturing equipment,” Mace said. “Nancy has waited five years for a 3D printed prosthetic, and for this to be happening in our facility is exciting for me, from a maker’s perspective, and I am proud to be a part of the process.”

“The Entrepreneur Center is an amazing community resource,” Nancy said. “WVU Parkersburg offers great equipment and personalized instruction.”

The Millers always envisioned Keating helping others, and as he has become important to them, he has also become important to their business. Nancy explained that when patients are in pain, and there are no calming words left to say, Keating plays a comforting role in the patient’s journey to healing.

Another part of Keating’s job is to aid children in coming to terms with a family member who has a prosthetic limb. “Kids are able to feel Keating’s leg, giving them comfort,” Nancy explained.

Keating has even brought joy to conferences of over 700 amputees. After taking Keating to a National Amputee Coalition Conference, the Millers decided to share him with the community. He currently takes weekly trips to visit Belpre Landing residents along with surrounding hospitals and even Mineral Wells Elementary School.

“He’s added a whole new dimension to our life and became a celebrity in the Mid-Ohio Valley,” Nancy said, “He’s even learned to pose for pictures and has his own business cards.”

Follow Keating’s journey on Facebook at Miller Prosthetics & Orthotics (@MarkMillerCPO). For more information about the Entrepreneur Center, contact Logan Mace at wed@wvup.edu or 304-424-8383.

Recently, The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley held its “The Key to the Community is You” fundraising dinner and silent auction. During the event, WVU Parkersburg Wellness Center Program Coordinator Pamela Santer received the first-ever Key to the Community award for her collaborative spirit to aid the community.

“Pamela has spent countless hours connecting and volunteering in the area and throughout the state,” Liz Ford, The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley executive director said. “From developmental disabilities and substance abuse to health and wellness, Pamela’s insight, support and involvement are something to be commended. She is truly a key to our community!”

Santer’s many community roles include Mindful West Virginia, What’s Next Mid-Ohio Valley, Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer, Community Recovery Center board member, Hope Manor and Recovery Point advisory board member, and participating on the Wood County Prevention Coalition and Wood County Board of Education Prevention Council.

These organizations convene community conversations on substance abuse, homelessness and safe and inclusive communities, as well as work on the prevention of substance abuse in youth.

“I was very humbled and honored to receive the Key to the Community award; however, I accepted on behalf of many individuals who contribute to the area,” Santer said. “What I do, I do not do alone. I have many friends and family who also give endless hours to making our community a healthy and peaceful place to live.”

“We all are keys to unlocking the potential in our fellow community members,” she continued.

Since 1955, The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley has been dedicated to ensuring a satisfying and productive life for children and adults with intellectual, cognitive and related developmental disabilities by providing programs and services that enable, empower and encourage them to live, learn, work, worship and play in their community along with their peers and neighbors.

The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley is currently accepting donations for its Secret Christmas program. Donations of $40 will provide Christmas gifts, cookies, housekeeping and toiletry packs to adults and teens 13-years and older with intellectual, cognitive or related developmental disabilities in Wood County.

For more information about the Secret Christmas program, contact Liz Ford at Liz.Ford@thearcmov.org or 304-422-3151 ext. 106.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Dr. Chris Gilmer wishes everyone a “joyful, safe, blessed holiday season.” Happy Thanksgiving from WVU Parkersburg!

West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Sigma Omega chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society welcomed 15 new members during the fall 2019 semester. A formal induction ceremony was held on Thursday, November 14, in the college theater.

Dr. Blake Ellis, Phi Theta Kappa headquarters senior vice president of student engagement, joined the ceremony via Zoom and served as the keynote speaker.

Officers Fallyn Buffington, Victoria Poellet-Tauber, Brittany Sword, Allison Ezell and Seth Kerby were installed as president, vice president, and secretary, public relations officer and honors in action chair respectively.

“As president of the Sigma Omega chapter, I hope to achieve a five-star rating – that is the highest status that a chapter can receive,” said Buffington. “What I truly enjoy about Phi Theta Kappa is how much we support and push each other towards success. Not to mention, we have three advisors who constantly go out of their way for us and are with us each step of the way.”

Inductees took the official oath of membership to uphold PTK’s four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship in the presence of their friends and family. New WVU Parkersburg Sigma Omega chapter members include:

Asia J. Brady

Brittany N. Brady

Priscilla D. Brady

Shannon M. Buchanan

Erin E. Gieseke

Nancy J. Goff

Amelia J. Hartzog

Fiona N. Lane

Ayaka McBee

Mikala S. Miller

Zane A. Nielsen

Jonathan M. Siegrist

Kaitlynn L. Vincent

Amy L. West

Philip R. Wilson

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,250 chapters across the United States, Canada and Germany. Membership to PTK is by invitation only and extended to students meeting specific eligibility criteria. In order to be eligible for membership, currently enrolled students must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average and completed at least 12 credit hours of associate degree course work.

For more information about WVU Parkersburg’s Sigma Omega chapter, contact advisors Marie Butler (mbutler1@wvup.edu), Andrew Rochus (arochus1@wvup.edu) or Andrew Walker (wwalker1@wvup.edu).