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Peter McGahey, teaching assistant professor at West Virginia University, has been named as an assistant coach for the United States Power Soccer National Team. He is one of two assistants under the direction of head coach Tracy Mayer.

McGahey’s appointment is for the next World Cup cycle. The next World Cup is in 2026 in Argentina. The United States is coming off a third-place finish in the 2023 World Cup in Australia.

Nothing was ever going to come easy for Gage Smith.

The factors working against him based simply on life’s circumstances made the chances of him even getting to West Virginia University as a student equal parts remarkable and improbable.

Two students in the College of Applied Human Sciences have earned scholarships from the WVU Foundation to help them defray costs and support the completion of their theses or dissertations. 

Megan Hut, from Tiel, the Netherlands, is one of four WVU doctoral students to receive the WVU Foundation Distinguished Doctoral Scholarship. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in educational theory and practice 

Patty Weston-Anderson, assistant accountant in the business office in the West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences, has announced her retirement effective Friday, Feb. 2.

"It’s been a privilege and honor to meet and work with everyone over the years,” Weston-Anderson said. “Although I am excited to start the next chapter of my life, the thought of leaving is bittersweet. I will miss working with everyone and will cherish my many memories."

Kim Floyd, associate professor in the WVU School of Counseling and Well-Being, has been awarded the Teacher Education Division (TED) Social Justice Award in recognition of her significant contributions to special education, teacher education, and the TED organization. The award ceremony took place in Long Beach, Calif., in October of 2023.

Floyd, a two-time recipient of the Outstanding Teacher award at WVU, has consistently demonstrated her commitment to advancing education through dynamic and timely curriculum development. Her teaching practices focus on socially and culturally responsive methods, earning her a reputation for excellence in the field.

Anthony Richards II, a junior at West Virginia University from Washington, D.C., shares his passion for promoting holistic health, the impactful experiences and professors in the program, and the valuable practical exposure he's gained through internships and teaching. From managing challenges in his academic journey to his career aspirations, Richards discusses the diverse opportunities and supportive community that define the WVU experience.

Major: Physical Education and Kinesiology

With a focus on educating students for industries of the future, West Virginia University is now offering an esports bachelor’s degree, preparing students for careers in the rapidly growing esports industry while building on the University’s already successful competitive esports program.

Justin Grimes, a first-year student from Gaithersburg, Maryland, is among the first students to begin pursuing the Esports Business and Entertainment major.

Students and families from the WVU Nursery School joined the School of Sport Sciences and the Center for ActiveWV for a night of physical literacy on Thursday, Nov. 2, as part of a collaborative effort in the College of Applied Human Sciences.

>> PHOTO GALLERY | PHYSICAL LITERACY HANDOUT (PDF) <<

The WVU School of Sport Sciences, as part of its continued relationship with the Positive Coaching Alliance, will host a virtual workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 7-8:30 p.m., entitled "Double-Goal Coach: Coaching for Winning and Life Lessons."

The workshop is available to both campus and community members involved with coaching sports at the youth level. Those interested can RSVP here.

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."

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.”

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.

For many students, summer break means a break from the rigors of academia. But the past two summers have been anything but ordinary for Elizabeth Deering, a freshman majoring in Sport Management. Her summers have been marked by adventure, nature, and a transition from being a camper to a counselor at Camp Hidden Meadows in Bartow, W.Va.

Major: Sport Management (M.S.)

Bringham Young University, in partnership with West Virginia University and the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences, will host a book drive at a service tailgate prior to the football game between the Cougars and the Mountaineers on Saturday, Nov. 4.

The book drive is being held to benefit the WVU Nursery School and the Monongalia and Preston Counties United Way. The collected books will be used to create new classroom libraries at the nursery school and to provide books to children in need in the local community.

The National Science Foundation recently awarded a grant of nearly $600,000 to a team of faculty at West Virginia University, including Jake Follmer from the School of Education in the College of Applied Human Sciences, for a project aimed at enhancing engineering education for students at West Virginia University.

Follmer is joined as a lead investigator on the project by Lizzie Santiago (principal investigator) and Michael Brewster (co-principal investigator), who serve as faculty members in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering.