W.Va. State University and KVCTC Expanding Partnership Opportunities
New collaborations will create seamless transfer for students seeking university degrees

INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- Administrators from West Virginia State University and Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College met last week to discuss possibilities for additional collaboration between the two institutions.

 “We want WVSU to be the home of KVCTC students who are ready to transfer and complete their bachelors’ and masters’ degrees,” said Dr. Brian O. Hemphill, president of WVSU. “We have some work to do, but we are committed to creating new, seamless relationships for our entering KVCTC students.”

“Historically, we have enjoyed a strong partnership with WVSU,” added Dr. Joe Badgley, president of KVCTC. “Today we made significant progress toward framing the future of that relationship.” 

Last month KVCTC, formerly West Virginia State Community and Technical College, moved from the WVSU campus to the West Virginia Regional Technology Park in South Charleston. The previously joint institutions separated in 2010, following the passage of West Virginia House Bill 3215, which called for the separation of all community and technical colleges attached to universities.

Hemphill and Badgley led the joint work session last week, which was attended by academic deans and key enrollment and retention administrators, dedicated to increasing collaboration between the schools.

“Traditionally, it has been difficult for some community college students to get a baccalaureate degree, but we are in the process of removing as many barriers to their success as possible,” said Dr. R. Charles Byers, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at WVSU, noting that education is a process of change. “I want to engage in discussions and actions around the future of West Virginia, and start thinking differently.”  

Among the ideas discussed were 2+2 and 1+3 programs, which allow students to complete the first part of their four-year degree at KVCTC, before transferring to WVSU. The first wave of pathway programs being considered includes Communication Information Technology, Criminal Justice, Management Information Systems, Health Science, Art and Psychology. A second wave for deliberation includes programs in areas such as Leadership Studies, Community Development and American Sign Language.

In addition to academics, the group explored collaborative efforts relating to student services. “We are defining further ways in which KVCTC students can have access to our facilities and programs prior to their actual transfer,” said Kitty McCarthy, interim vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at WVSU. 

Ideas included access between KVCTC and WVSU’s Drain-Jordan Library, as well as student government, campus ministries and adult education programs. 

“These opportunities will serve our students well,” said Badgley. “We want the community and our students to know that we are working together to improve the path toward terminal degree programs.” 

“I come from an environment that has a strong relationship with community colleges and articulation agreements,” added Hemphill, who arrived at WVSU in July. “We wanted to come out of this meeting with clear directions on articulation agreements that enable us to move forward together. The programs we have chosen are realistic and reasonable—and will meet the needs of students and economic development in West Virginia, and beyond.”

Administrators were assigned potential collaborative efforts to research, with articulation agreements due throughout the fall semester.