PARKERSBURG — Students beginning this fall at WVU Parkersburg can earn an associate’s of applied science in agribusiness or cosmetology.

Agribusiness will prepare students to run and maintain a farm operation while giving them the knowledge to financially manage a farm. Students will receive hands-on experience from industry professionals in various agricultural fields on the Riverhawk Farm to help students step into already established agribusinesses.

Skills gained in the program will prepare students for careers as an agriculture marketing manager, agriculture sales representative, agriculture finance manager, farm store manager and livestock buyer, among others.

“We are very fortunate to provide top notch, hands-on education to the producers and agriculturalists of the MOV. WVUP Agriculture and The Riverhawk Farm are blessed with a great team that strives to be the best Agriculture hub for workforce training and academics,” Agriculture Director Johnny Riggs said.

Cosmetology will offer students a mix of classroom studies and hands-on training to prepare them for the beauty industry. Cosmetology is a 16-month program that could have students in the workforce earning money in less than a year and a half.

Students will become masters of treatments, procedures, and therapies that help their clients accentuate their best features.

The new Cosmetology Program will be housed at WVU Parkersburg’s School of Cosmetology and Esthetics at 3113 Murdoch Ave. Students will have access to both a classroom setting and a working salon that will be open to the public for students to hone their expertise.

Skills gained in the program will prepare students for careers as hairstylists, consultants, skin specialists, nail technicians, estheticians, instructors, managers or salon owners.

“When you enjoy being creative and making other people feel beautiful inside and out, you’ll never work a day in your life,” Lisa Carter, director of the School of Cosmetology and Esthetics, said.

The degree would give students a more-rounded education and would push them to succeed in the beauty industry, she said.

“At WVU Parkersburg, we match degree programs to industry needs. In both agriculture and cosmetology, we know jobs exist for trained employees,” college President Dr. Torie Jackson said.

Registration for fall 2023 classes is underway. For more information about Agribusiness, contact Johnny Riggs at John.Riggs@wvup.edu or call 304 424-8285. For more information about Cosmetology, contact Lisa Carter at Lisa.Carter@wvup.edu or call 304 420-8618.