MOOREFIELD, W.Va. — Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College recently hosted its Virtual District Consortium Meeting, highlighting major expansions in high school dual enrollment, affordable textbook initiatives, and new workforce training programs designed to boost regional economic mobility.
College leadership and consortium partners detailed the milestones and upcoming fall initiatives following the meeting.
Dual Enrollment and “Level Up” Expansions
Nearly 280 high school students participated in dual enrollment courses during the spring semester. Notably, four regional students earned their Associate Degrees prior to graduating high school, including three from Hampshire County and one from Moorefield.
College officials credited the Level Up funding program for continuing to eliminate tuition barriers for high schoolers. To meet demand, Eastern is expanding its Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways in Hampshire County to include business and auto technology. Additionally, Pendleton County High School will add in-person dual enrollment options in chemistry, biology, history, college algebra, and nutrition this fall.
Statewide Leadership in Affordable Education
Eastern continues to lead West Virginia in Open Educational Resources (OER), an initiative that uses openly licensed materials to reduce or eliminate textbook costs. Curtis Hakala, recently named the West Virginia Open Learning Educator of the Year, announced the completion of an OER Challenge Grant that has established entirely zero-textbook-cost pathways for both the Associate in Arts degree and the Allied Health Certificate.
Hakala also noted that Eastern is participating in the state’s Common Course Numbering initiative. The program, slated for full implementation by 2027, standardizes course names, numbers, and learning outcomes across all West Virginia community colleges to streamline student transfers.
Financial Aid and Workforce Training Upgrades
The college highlighted critical legislative updates to the West Virginia Invests Grant program, a state-funded “last-dollar-in” financial aid program. Key changes include:
- – Elimination of the drug screening requirement.
- – Removal of the previous 90-credit-hour limit.
- – Expansion of eligibility to students who already hold an associate degree.
- – Prorated funding available for up to six semesters.
In response to local workforce demands, Eastern’s workforce education sector is launching a Heavy Equipment Operator Training program this fall, featuring hands-on instruction for bulldozers, skid steers, and excavators. The college also acquired a new commercial driver’s license (CDL) training truck and is expanding its welding program into Hampshire County.
In the medical field, Eastern’s Allied Health programs boast a certification exam success rate of more than 90% through the National Healthcareer Association. The college is currently developing registered apprenticeships with EA Hawse Health Center. Most workforce programs remain eligible for West Virginia HEAPS funding.
Upcoming Community and Regional Events
Eastern announced several upcoming public events for the summer and fall terms:
- College Open House: August 7 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., held simultaneously at the Moorefield Campus and the Eastern Technology Center in Petersburg.
- Agriculture Showcase: October 9, featuring student competitions and cash prizes.
- Annual Career and College Fair: November 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the main campus, open to students, alumni, and community members.
Consortium organizers plan to reconvene in the late fall for an in-person District Consortium Meeting and learning session. For more information regarding enrollment, financial aid, or upcoming events, visit easternwv.edu.
About Eastern West Virginia Community &
Technical College
Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College, based in Moorefield, serves a multi-county district by providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality educational opportunities, workforce training, and community college services to the Potomac Highlands regional community.
