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Karoline Colucci, a senior from Stafford, Va., comes from a family of educators. She originally resisted going into education, but was driven by various opportunities within her community and a desire to make a positive impact on future generations. She emphasizes the dedication of teachers and the importance of providing all students with a quality education. She believes in the potential of West Virginia students and explains the importance of the close-knit community at WVU and the elementary education program.

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.

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.

The West Virginia University campus is invited to celebrate the start of the academic year with the College of Applied Human Sciences on Thursday, September 7, 3-5 p.m. at the Evansdale recreation fields. All students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend.

The fair will feature free snacks, drinks, games, prizes, music, and more. Students will be able to meet college faculty and staff, including a meet and greet with Dean Autumn Cyprès, and learn more about various clubs and organizations on campus. 

Cat (Miller) O'Malley, Literacy Department Chair for Annapolis Middle School, found her way into the realm of education through an unconventional path. She began her career with roles in management, event management and sales, but found her true calling in literacy education. Her journey has been marked by determination and a commitment to making a difference, and her diverse skill set enriches her role as a teacher and educational leader.

Cat received her master's degree in literacy education from West Virginia University in 2021. She earned her degree nearly a decade after completing her undergraduate studies in tourism and events management from George Mason University.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In an effort to elevate early childhood education and expand opportunities for aspiring teachers, the West Virginia University Nursery School is now fully part of the College of Applied Human Sciences with Ashley Martucci, a longtime educator, appointed to serve as the school’s director.

Under the new structure, the curriculum at the nursery school will be aligned with the curriculum and best practices as taught in the School of Education as well as national accreditation standards. Further, aspiring teachers will also receive immersive opportunities in early education without leaving campus.

Braelyn Young, senior in the elementary education program, spent the last academic year as a 4th-grade student teacher at Big Elm Elementary School in Harrison County, W.Va.

Young posted video updates throughout the year documenting her time as a student teacher, including projects she worked on with her students and the lessons she learned along the way.

The College of Applied Human Sciences recognized four faculty members – Rawn Boulden, Patrick Hairston, Erin Jordan and Erin McHenry-Sorber – for outstanding work in the 2022-23 academic year at its all-college assembly on May 10.

Rawn Boulden was the recipient of the 2023 CAHS Outstanding Researcher Award. The award acknowledges a faculty member whose research has made significant contributions to one’s discipline in the past year. In the past year, Boulden’s work investigated issues of school counseling in rural areas, with special emphasis on Appalachia and culturally sustaining school counseling practices. His research portfolio included six peer-reviewed journal articles published or appearing in the press during the award period.

The College of Applied Human Sciences at West Virginia University is proud to announce that two of its graduate programs have been recognized in the 2023-24 edition of the U.S. News and World Report's Best Graduate Schools rankings.

The clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling program in the School of Counseling and Well-Being has been ranked as the 19th-best rehabilitation counseling graduate program in the country, placing it in the top quartile of programs nationwide. This ranking was determined through peer assessments.

The College of Applied Human Sciences will cap its inaugural academic year at Commencement on Saturday, May 13, at 9 a.m. at the WVU Coliseum. Here is a look at several graduates from the College who will be earning their degree this weekend.