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Kim Floyd, professor in the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences, was recently honored as a co-author of the 2024 Article of the Year by Rural Special Education Quarterly. The paper, What Do Rural Special Education Teachers Say?: Examining the Reported Needs and Recommendations for Retention, was selected by the journal’s editorial team for its impact, citations, and readership.

Floyd and her co-authors received the award during the annual American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES) conference, held April 4.

Darius Redman came to WVU unsure of his path, but found his purpose through mentorship, field experience, and meaningful community connections. From student placements to coaching at Suncrest Middle School, he discovered the power of presence and positivity in education. A first-generation college graduate, Redman plans to take his Mountaineer skills and pride south to teach and coach cross country and track and field.

Hayden Apel, a Health and Well-Being major from Hilliard, Ohio, embraced his time at WVU by combining academic growth with athletic achievement. Through his academic studies and practical experience at Advantage Health and Wellness, Apel discovered the importance of a holistic approach to health. His time as a Division I student-athlete as a diver for the Mountaineers shaped his resilience and commitment in all aspects of his life. Apel will continue his Mountaineer journey by pursuing a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at WVU.

Jadyn Collins, a Sport Management major from Weirton, W.Va., found her place at WVU by turning a love for sports into hands-on experience with the Mountaineer baseball team. Through three years of real-world involvement and mentorship from coaches, Collins built the foundation for a future in scouting and player evaluation. After graduation, she will head to Cape Cod to scout for the Oakland A’s and continue the momentum she created as a proud Mountaineer.

Ella Wix, a Mental Health and Addiction Studies major from Vienna, W.Va., is graduating with a clear purpose—to make a difference in the lives of others. A lifelong WVU fan, she was drawn to a new program that aligned perfectly with her passion for counseling. Along the way, Wix built strong relationships with faculty, embraced real-world experiences, and grew into a leader ready to combat the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. As she prepares to continue her education in WVU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program, Wix reflects on the powerful community, mentorship, and hands-on learning that shaped her success.

The West Virginia University literacy education online graduate program has once again earned national acclaim, receiving the International Literacy Association’s National Recognition with Distinction for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals.

This designation signifies that the program is aligned with ILA standards and leads the way in excellence in literacy education.

The National Writing Project at West Virginia University will host the Teachers’ Day of Writing on Friday, May 16 in Colson Hall, Room 130 on WVU’s Downtown Campus.

The event includes a Poetry Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon led by West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman, followed by a Reading and Writing Time for Teachers from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants will have time to work on a project, receive feedback, or continue developing curriculum based on Harshman’s work.

Tanner Cloce, a senior Physical Education and Kinesiology (PEK) major at West Virginia University, has been named a 2024 SHAPE America Major of the Year—one of the highest national honors for undergraduate students in the field.

Presented by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America), the Major of the Year award recognizes top-performing students in health, physical education, recreation, and dance (HPERD) who demonstrate academic excellence, strong leadership, and a deep commitment to service. With only a limited number of students recognized nationally each year, the award is a significant honor. Cloce is the first WVU student in over a decade to earn the recognition.

WVU Sport Management alumna Hailey Barrett (BS ’16, MS ’21) has turned her passion for tennis and leadership into a rising collegiate coaching career. Now in her third year as an assistant tennis coach at Rutgers, Barrett first made her mark at WVU as a student-athlete during a time of transition by helping to hold the team together during a coaching change and stepping into leadership roles on and off the court. Her coaching journey has taken her from The Greenbrier to UConn, Washington and Lee, Colorado, and now the Big Ten. This WVU Magazine feature traces her path—from battling adversity as a player to mentoring the next generation.

The West Virginia University School of Sport Sciences and the WVU Baseball Biomechanics and Performance Center are partnering to elevate sport sciences education and baseball performance by combining science, technology, and applied learning to set new standards in athletic performance and professional preparation across all disciplines in the School of Sport Sciences.

A key component of the partnership is a new role that connects the School of Sport Sciences and the Baseball Biomechanics and Performance Center. This position will lead the center’s daily operations while contributing to teaching, research, and outreach in sport biomechanics and related areas.

The West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences has announced a new online Master of Arts in Leadership Studies in Education designed to prepare educators for school and district leadership roles in K-12 schools.

 The program includes a 30-credit curriculum that offers multiple certification pathways, which can be earned along the way to degree completion or pursued independently. Students can earn a Principal Certificate (18 credits) and a Superintendent Endorsement (6 credits), with the option to complete both while progressing toward the full master’s degree. A separate General Supervisor of Instruction Certificate is also available.

Students and faculty in the Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology program recently traveled to the University of Kentucky for the American Association of Sport Psychology Midwest Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium.

For much of her athletic career, Hannah Swartz (née Severs) carried a quiet, growing exhaustion—one that had little to do with the physical demands of the sport she loved. A standout soccer player growing up in North Carolina, she was driven, competitive, and committed to improving. But as she progressed in the game, the emotional and mental toll of coaching styles around her began to wear her down.

As early as 12 years old, Swartz can remember going to the sideline during a game to be yelled at for a mistake. At an age when sport should have been a source of joy and growth, Swartz felt tension creeping in. Anxiety followed her into games. Practices felt like pressure cookers rather than learning environments. She continued competing at a high level but felt drained by the culture around her.

A planned gift from retired educator Thomas Rymer Davis will provide crucial support for aspiring teachers at the West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences. This gift is designed to inspire the next generation of educators to establish their careers in West Virginia, contributing to efforts to address the state's critical teacher shortage.

Mary Taylor Shaak always knew she wanted to attend West Virginia University, but she didn’t expect to find her passion in mental health and addiction studies. Now a senior set to graduate in December 2025, the Charleston, W.Va., native has embraced opportunities to support others through her work with WVU’s Collegiate Recovery Program. Her experiences—both personal and professional—have shaped her commitment to making a difference in the field of mental health.