Latest News

The Master of Arts in Literacy Education program at the West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences has been named a WVU Board of Governors Program of Excellence.

This designation reflects the highest standards for programs at WVU," said Matthew Campbell, Interim Director of the School of Education and Counseling. "Our Literacy Education faculty are national leaders in their field, and I'm proud of the work they have done to build and continually improve this program. The best measure of the program is its graduates, who lead literacy instruction in classrooms across the state and country."

West Virginia University's undergraduate elementary education program has received an A+ from the National Council on Teacher Quality for its preparation of future teachers in evidence-based reading instruction — the highest grade available in NCTQ's 2026 Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, released June 9.

The report places WVU among a select group of programs recognized nationwide for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction. Specifically, this means the program is preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, and avoids many instructional practices that research has shown to be ineffective or counterproductive for teaching children to read.

The National Writing Project at West Virginia University will host the Teachers’ Day of Poetry on Thursday, July 23, in the Cathedral Room inside the Mountainlair.

The event will be facilitated by Marc Harshman, West Virginia Poet Laureate, and includes an Ekphrastic Writing Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by a Poetry for Your Students (and for You) session from 1-3 p.m. 

Paige Grove came to WVU partly because of how welcoming the campus felt on visits, and partly because her mother is an alumna. She found her direction in Youth and Family Sciences, with a focus on child life, a healthcare specialty centered on supporting children and families through serious medical experiences. Hands-on time at WVU Medicine Golisano Children's Hospital put that training into practice and pointed her toward a master's degree in child life at the University of Georgia this fall.

As part of West Virginia University’s May 2026 Commencement celebration, Emma Halstead, an elementary education major from the College of Applied Human Sciences, shares a thank you note to one of the faculty members who had a significant impact on her: Johnna Bolyard.

The College of Applied Human Sciences recognized outstanding students from across its two academic schools during its annual Student Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 24, at the Mountainlair on the WVU campus.

FULL PHOTO GALLERY

As part of West Virginia University’s May 2026 Commencement celebration, Alaina Fry a mental health and addiction studies major from the College of Applied Human Sciences, shares a personal letter to her high school self—reflecting on the growth, challenges, and moments that shaped her WVU experience.

As part of West Virginia University’s May 2026 Commencement celebration, Rachel Rapose, an elementary education major from the College of Applied Human Sciences, shares a personal letter to her high school self—reflecting on the growth, challenges, and moments that shaped her WVU experience.

Madison Zink was a Navy veteran before she was a Mountaineer. After her service, she took stock of what she wanted to do next and landed on elementary education, drawn to WVU in part by her sister's experience there. The program delivered what she was looking for: real time in classrooms, practical preparation, and professors who stayed engaged. Off campus, Zink found her footing through the WVU Veterans Club, where she served as vice president and built the confidence she'd need heading into a teaching career.

With teacher shortages mounting and a wave of principal retirements on the horizon, the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences is meeting the demand for school leaders through its online M.A. in Leadership Studies in Education program. Built around a place-based leadership model, the program prepares working educators to strengthen schools by drawing on community assets, including local partnerships and deeply rooted relationships. Erin McHenry-Sorber, a nationally recognized rural education scholar, shapes the program's approach with a particular focus on rural West Virginia schools. A new summer 2026 start term is now available.

Nate Whiting spent decades writing poems for fun, for his students, and for his family, never thinking much would come of it. The WVU education alum and former physical education teacher finally had someone convince him otherwise. Now he's the author of the "Whimsies of an Accidental Poet" series, rhyme-driven children's books built around big imagination and the belief that kids deserve to laugh.

Hannah Decanio, a master’s student in the school counseling program at West Virginia University, was named the 2026 Graduate Student of the Year by the West Virginia School Counselor Association and received the award at the organization’s annual conference Feb. 26–27 at the Waterfront Hotel in Morgantown.

The award recognizes a master’s student in school counseling for scholarship, advocacy, and leadership potential.

Shauna Riggs came to WVU seeking independence without losing the sense of community she values as a West Virginian. As an elementary education major, she has found both, building her confidence in the classroom while also performing as a member of the "Pride of West Virginia" marching band. Between full days at school and evenings on the practice field, Riggs has learned to manage the demands of teaching and music while becoming the educator she set out to be.

Ian Finegan had never been to West Virginia when he applied to WVU. From just north of Baltimore, he was looking for a college that felt like the right fit, both personally and academically. He found that in Morgantown at WVU, where an initial interest in one major eventually turned into two. With guidance from academic advisors, Finegan chose to pursue degrees in Mental Health and Addiction Studies and Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, a decision that still has him on track to graduate a semester early and continue on to graduate school.

Each school day, University school counseling interns are taking their training into more than 18 public schools in nine counties and districts in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, serving close to 10,000 students.

Alaina Schrader, a lecturer with the School of Education and Counseling in the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences, says those interns are doing important work.