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Mangione builds momentum towards a career in mental health and addiction studies

Marissa Mangione headshot.

On a whim, Marissa Mangione gave West Virginia University a chance. She got a flyer in the mail at her home Richboro, Pa., (just outside of Philadelphia), and wanted to visit campus. Despite roots in Pennsylvania and ties to Penn State, she came to Morgantown and realized almost immediately that she wanted to be a Mountaineer.  

"I was either going to go to West Virginia or Penn State,” she admits. “WVU checked all the boxes for me: I wanted a big school, a big community, and a lot of opportunities. And I also loved the spirit for the football team."

Nickelson announces retirement

Bob Nickelson headshot.

Robert “Bob” Nickelson, chief business officer in the College of Applied Human Sciences, retired from West Virginia University on September 1 after 35 years of service to the university. 

“WVU has provided me and my family a life and a career that I couldn’t have ever imagined,” Nickelson said. “I am grateful for all of the people I’ve been privileged to work with and learn from, and I’m forever proud to be a Mountaineer.”

Collings follows parents into teaching profession

Zane Collings stands outside with his arms folded.

Zane Collings shares his journey about growing up in West Virginia and pursuing a career in elementary education at their state's flagship university. Collings shares how he decided to pursue elementary education (over musical education) and the influence of both of his parents, who are both teachers. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the well-being of the children when considering a teaching career and highlights the distinctive features of WVU's elementary education program, including his hands-on experience in the field.

Eagerness, passion help Watson chart her academic and professional path

Alex Watson looks on to the baseball field at night.

Despite growing up in Morgantown with West Virginia University as a constant presence in her life, it wasn’t necessarily a foregone conclusion that Alex Watson would end up a Mountaineer. However, after considering a lifetime immersed on the campus where both her parents were faculty members and the academic opportunities with WVU, the decision ended up being pretty simple.

“I grew up right here,” she says. “For my entire life, my parents, neighbors and many of the people I knew worked at WVU. Through that, I was able to get involved with a lot of things. For example, my neighbor was a neurologist at WVU, and one of my first memories was going to her lab and participating in her studies. And then when I got to high school, I was given the opportunity to go to Honduras with the School of Nursing to volunteer and give free medical care. On top of that, I was able to go to Mexico with faculty from (then) CPASS to teach leadership to young females through soccer. Those last two trips happened right when I was in the decision-making process, and I think that solidified that I didn’t want to go far and that everything that I needed was at WVU.”