Contact: Dr. Donna M. Simon (304) 766-3363 dsimon@wvstateu.edu
INSTITUTE — In another step to meet the changing economic needs of the region, West Virginia State University (WVSU) and Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College (KVCTC) have signed a series of agreements that will make it easier for students to obtain a bachelor’s degree in five career fields.
Signing of the articulation agreements will allow students in specific fields of study to begin their college education at KVCTC and then complete their studies by earning a bachelor’s degree at WVSU.
The agreements are in the areas of Criminal Justice, Art, History, English with a Literature option, and Health Sciences Leadership in Allied Health and Rehabilitation. They were signed today and are effective immediately.
“This is a win-win for college students and for business and industry in West Virginia,” said Dr. Joseph Badgley, president of KVCTC. “Students will have increased options for earning a baccalaureate degree, while at the same time businesses with a demand for workers will have a highly educated workforce to draw from.”
“The more efficiently we can transfer students into their bachelor’s degree programs, the sooner they will graduate and begin contributing to the growing economies in West Virginia,” added Brian O. Hemphill, president of West Virginia State University.
KVCTC was previously known as the West Virginia State Community and Technical College and was located on the WVSU campus in Institute. Following passage of legislation in 2008 that separated community and technical colleges from universities the school changed its name to KVCTC and relocated to the West Virginia Regional Technology Park in South Charleston.
In fall 2012, the schools began to explore additional ways that they could work together to provide for the educational needs of students in the region.
“Historically, we have enjoyed a strong partnership with WVSU,” Badgley said. “The signing of these new articulation agreements builds on that partnership and provides a bright future for students attending both institutions.”
“These agreements are the first of hopefully many to come that will provide a seamless transfer for students coming from KVCTC to complete a bachelor’s degree,” Hemphill added.