The university has been awarded $255,788 to improve and expand its nursing program to train and retain qualified nurses who will work in West Virginia.

The new major falls under the umbrella of the Applied Computer Science degree and is one of five majors in the program students can choose to focus on. The new major launches with the Fall 2025 semester.

The program will be available beginning in May 2025. The accelerated program will take 16 months to complete.

The agreement will provide a seamless transfer pathway for West Virginia Northern Community College students in three specific programs to continue their education at West Liberty University. 

The goal of the program is to train and retain qualified nurses to stay and work in West Virginia amid an ongoing nursing shortage.

The donation comes from Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Bobby Goodfriend and his wife, Wendy. Construction and renovations will begin in May and are expected to be completed by Fall 2025.

The new rural nursing initiative is called the Tennessee Rural Workforce Initiative for Nursing (TN R-WIN) and will support students in underserved communities who are pursuing a bachelor degree in nursing.

Grand Valley State President Philomena V. Mantella has named Jennifer Drake as the new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Drake has previously served in that role in an interim position.

Davenport University now offers scholarships to employees of United Wholesale Mortgage and their families so that they can continue their professional development without the barrier of cost.

The grant is funded by Lilly Endowment and will allow for the establishment of a Church Leadership Formation Project at the university.