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Student research shows need for increased AEDs

Abbey Clark stands with her research poster at the capitol.

Abbey Clark, a senior health and well-being student from Clarksburg, W.Va., recently visited the West Virginia capitol to present her findings on the availability of automated external defibrillator in classroom buildings at WVU.

Clark’s father, who was in the family’s driveway after returning home by bus in June 2021, had gone into cardiac arrest two years ago, and largely survived due to her sister promptly performing CPR and emergency services administering the AED. Since her father had nearly gone into cardiac arrest on the bus, she and her family led a successful effort to make AEDs standard in all new state public vehicles in West Virginia.

CAHS adds Thayer, Witt to administrative team

Headshots of Zach Thayer and Matt Witt.

The College of Applied Human Science has reinforced its commitment to students and research with the addition of two administrators. Zach Thayer joins the college as the director of the Office of Student Success, and Matt Witt will serve as grants administrator.

Thayer will lead the unit responsible for the recruitment, retention and advising efforts for CAHS. He comes to CAHS from the John Chambers College of Business and Economics where he served as the director of graduate programs: systems, operations, and data analytics since August of 2020. Prior to that he spent three years as a program coordinator for first-year pathway for WVU’s Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success. He earned his master’s degree from WVU in political science and is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education.