Glenville State University (GSU) is proud to announce its role as a regional partner in a $1,990,600 grant awarded through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) POWER Initiative. This transformative investment supports the creation of the WV Career Collaborative, a multilateral effort to strengthen the STEM workforce pipeline across North Central West Virginia.

Under the initiative, formally titled Building Connections to Grow Capacity: Breaking Down Regional Barriers in the STEM Workforce Pipeline, GSU is joining Fairmont State University and other key regional players to forge stronger ties between education, industry, and government. The project focuses on expanding career readiness, increasing job placement in high-demand STEM fields, and building sustainable pathways from education to employment. The project is led by Dr. Robert Niichel, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Fairmont State University and two faculty members, Dr. Shalika Silva, Assistant Professor of Biology; Dr. Sara Sawyer, Professor of Health Sciences and Biology are members of the project and facilitate the initiatives at Glenville State University.   

GSU’s Growing Impact
As a result of this grant, GSU has made strategic hires to bolster its career development resources:
●    Logan Harrison has joined GSU as the STEM Career Counselor, working in partnership with the Pioneer Support team and STEM faculty. Harrison supports students through resume workshops, interview prep, career fairs, and direct internship and job placement assistance.

●    Maggie Sorensen serves as GSU’s Industry Partnership Manager. Her role focuses on cultivating relationships with regional employers to generate meaningful internship and employment opportunities for students in Gilmer County and the surrounding region.

These new roles significantly enhance GSU’s capacity to provide hands-on career development and employer engagement services to students pursuing STEM degrees.

Current New Opportunities for Students and Educators
STEM Power Up Internships - launching in summer 2025. These paid leadership positions are designed for students and other jobseekers interested in championing STEM learning and workforce engagement in their communities. Interns will pilot and provide feedback on STEM work-based learning experiences, and work as part of the project team to help develop impactful programming, outreach, and mentoring opportunities that build long-term interest in and preparedness for STEM careers.
High School Work-Based Learning (WBL) Coordinators - These part-time, summer-focused roles are open to current K-12 educators who are passionate about bridging the gap between classrooms and careers. WBL Coordinators will play a critical role in connecting high schools with universities, local industries, and community stakeholders.

Applications are now open for both Power Up Interns and WBL Coordinators. Interested candidates can apply via the following links:
Power Up Intern Interest Form
High School WBL Coordinator Application

Looking Ahead
This collaborative effort represents a bold step forward for Glenville State University as it strengthens its regional impact and reinforces its commitment to student success and economic development. By connecting students, educators, and industry partners, GSU is helping to build a more prepared, connected, and resilient STEM workforce for West Virginia’s future.