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The West Virginia University commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 17 marks the first time degrees will be conferred from the College of Applied Human Sciences. While the name is new, the rich experiences and thorough education is the same as it ever has been.

This group of graduates dealt with the challenges of COVID during their collegiate careers along with the challenge of resuming learning in a new way. Several students cited a personal connection between their professors that helped them to succeed during that time.

Numerous School of Sport Sciences faculty and students were honored at the Society of Health and Physical Educators conference, held in-person this past October in Charleston, W.Va. The 2022 SHAPEWV award recipients are highlighted below:

Physical Education and Kinesiology major, junior, Bentleyville, Pa.

Matthew Kasopsky, counseling and clinical mental health track first-year graduate student, says that there is much to appreciate about the field of counseling. “One thing I really love about the program is that while we are all passionate about counseling, we have different interests, which lead to some great conversations,” he said. “Even though we have broad areas of interest, faculty members foster a positive environment and support us in our different clinical and research interests.”

Kasopsky, from Norristown, Pa., explains that as students, they started practicing counseling on the first day of classes. “There is something to be said about counseling being both an art and a science. You can learn the science part, but you must practice the art side of it to get good,” he added.

A unique student-driven project recognizes the power of literature to transform individuals and societies while supporting the freedom to read and write. The West Virginia University Higher Education Student Association’s mission underscores educational, vocational and personal development for people who are imprisoned.

WVU HESA recently collaborated with the Appalachian Prison Book Project as part of their engagement in the 2022 WVU Week of Purpose. APBP focuses on challenging mass incarceration through books, education and community engagement.

As Alexandra Snyder entered West Virginia University, she had visions of becoming a physical or occupational therapist. “After a few months I wasn’t positive if that was the correct path for me, so I began looking into other majors. The health and well-being program began accepting students my sophomore year. I switched to this major because of the many professional opportunities this program offers,” she said. Snyder, from Hollidaysburg, Pa., added a minor in health promotion to her portfolio.

“This major has taught me about people's overall health and how to be effective as a worker in the healthcare setting. Those two things were essential since I have always been interested in health and helping others through community service.”

Two sport management students received first-hand sports business knowledge through the 2022 Presidents Cup, a nationally televised PGA event. Andrew Walker, graduate student, and Justin Violette, undergraduate, traveled to Quail Hollow Golf Club in Charlotte, N.C. for the September 22-25 competition. The pair worked for Show Pros Entertainment, Inc., a crowd management and event-oriented staffing company.

Patrick Hairston, sport management teaching assistant professor, says he attempts to associate students with business practitioners and events so they can gain field learning skills and network within the sports industry. “Andrew and Justin both love the game of golf. As I connect with students throughout the semester, I discover their passions. I learned that Andrew and Justin played golf by getting to know them and their interests,” Hairston said.

Braelyn Young, senior in the elementary education program, is serving as a 4th grade student teacher at Big Elm Elementary School in Harrison County, W.Va. for the 2022-2023 school year.

During senior year, student teachers are placed with a mentor teacher and class. This arrangement allows student teachers to move from theory to practice. They experience having their own classroom with guidance from their mentor.

Allison Lampinen is among a remarkable cohort of College of Applied Human Sciences students who successfully passed the National Counseling Exam utilized by the state of West Virginia as the qualifying testing for professional licensure as a counselor.

“I can never thank the WVU Counseling program enough for what it has given me. I was able to pass the NCE the first time and was hired at the school I have been wanting to work for since the beginning,” Lapinen said. “I know these accomplishments are direct results from attending a CACREP program where the professors are passionate about what they do and truly want you to be successful.”

CAHS is hosting 2022 Academic Day, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the WVU Museum Education Center, to welcome incoming freshmen to the family, allowing them to connect with peers, faculty and staff. CAHS inaugural Dean Autumn Cyprès will provide insight about the first-year experience. The new students will join in a scavenger hunt to explore the Evansdale campus and become familiar with their new home. Additionally, the gathering will include program specific academic sessions. For more information, contact CAHSInfo@mail.wvu.edu.

Inspired by her family, rising sophomore Lauren Marquart's decision to attend West Virginia University and major in elementary education was a relatively simple one.

Marquart, a native of Wheeling, W.Va., is heavily involved in numerous activities despite being on campus less than a year. She serves as a student ambassador and is involved with student government, and gave a talk at the TEDxWVU event in April.