Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs David Lancaster addresses the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Board of Governors during their first regular meeting of 2026 on Tuesday at the Chapel at the Innovation and Technology Center. Lancaster was discussing four new programs including Business Administration (BASBA) in Accounting, CPA Track and Financial Management as well as an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — West Virginia University at Parkersburg remains on track in providing educational opportunities to the region, the college’s president said Tuesday.

The WVU Parkersburg Board of Governors held its first regular meeting of 2026 on Tuesday at the Chapel at the Innovation and Technology Center (the ITC at the former Ohio Valley University’s Stott Administration Building).

WVUP President Torie Jackson told the board their goal remains clear, to recruit students and make sure they finish their degree work.

“Recruitment and retention continue to be central to everything we do, because enrollment is not simply a number,” she said. “It represents people, opportunity, and the future of our region.

“In 2026, we will place focused attention on enrollment growth at the Jackson County Center, building on its strong community connections and expanding access to higher education for students who may not otherwise see a college pathway as possible.”

Work is continuing to expand the ITC and create opportunities to bring jobs to the area and be able to educate students to meet the needs of those jobs.

“It represents a commitment to innovation, workforce alignment, and entrepreneurship,” Jackson said. “Our aspiration is not just to participate in innovation in West Virginia, but to lead it.

“We want WVU Parkersburg to be recognized as a place where ideas become action, where students are prepared not only for jobs, but for leadership and entrepreneurship in a changing economy.”

She talked about the school’s separation of its human resources, payroll, and business office functions from WVU as well as a request from the Governor’s Office that all institutions prepare a budget reflecting a 2% reduction.

“Above all, we will remain true to our mission: to provide life changing educational opportunities in a safe and supportive environment,” Jackson said. “We will stay focused on students, their success, and their futures.

“As we move through 2026, we will always strive for more. We will continuously improve. We will adapt when necessary, lead with integrity, and remain bold in our vision for what WVU Parkersburg can be for this region and this state.”

The board approved four new programs including a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration (BASBA) in Accounting, CPA Track and Financial Management as well as an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services.

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs David Lancaster said these programs have been developed by the business faculty to give the students what they will need to know to meet the demands of jobs in the area.

“They have put in place what is needed for our stakeholders when these students come out,” he said.

He highlighted the CPA Track program as being unique as he has not found anything similar to it in the state.

“I am sure somewhere else in West Virginia they have something like this, but I can’t find it,” he said. “I am sure we are not the first to come up with it, but it seems like it.”

The emergency medical service program is especially important for the whole area.

“All of you know what it is like to live in this area,” Lancaster said. “All of you know it is hard to find trained professionals and we will be able to offer this.”

Alice Harris of the Business faculty said the accounting degree will be a traditional 120-hour accounting degree.

“When someone graduates with that, they can go to an employer and get an accounting related job,” she said. “Every business needs an accountant.”

The CPA Track is for the students who go into accounting as there is a national shortage of CPAs, Harris said, adding the program helps prepare students to take the CPA exam and be successful.

The Financial Management program helps people become financial advisers and financial planners as opposed to a strictly accounting program and who want to spend more time in management and those kind of roles, Harris said.

“There are a lot of changes in the accounting profession with changes in the CPA exam,” she said.

WVUP EMS Director Chad Knox, who developed the EMS program, said applicants will have to be an EMT to be accepted into the yearlong program.

“We have some of the most up-to-date training equipment to train on,” he said.

They have been working with area medical providers to see what they need people to know as well as build up available personnel.

“We want to make sure they are onboard with everything,” he said.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com