Piermont Community and Technical College partners with Fairmont State University for employee education pathway

Pierpont Community and Technical College and Fairmont State University have formed an agreement that will provide Pierpont’s employees with an education pathway at the university. Eligible employees of the community college will be able to pursue a bachelor degree or a master degree at the university for a price that is comparable to the community college’s tuition costs.

According to an article on Pierpont Community and Technical College’s website, college president Dr. Michael Waide was quoted as saying of the new partnership, “This is about people. It is about opportunity. And it is about what can happen when partners in higher education come together around a shared purpose. Today, we are investing in our employees. This creates greater access to education for the people who spend every day creating access for others. This signing is not simply the completion of an agreement, but the beginning of what comes next. There are tremendous opportunities for Pierpont and Fairmont State to continue working more seamlessly together, creating new pathways, exploring innovative ideas and strengthening the communities we both serve. Today reflects a relationship built on trust, and we’re excited about where it leads next.”

The purpose of the agreement is to make undergraduate and graduate degrees more attainable to Pierpont’s employees, allowing them to advance their careers and earn higher education while still maintaining their employment. The two institutions have had a close relationship over the years, with many of the same students passing through the doors of each school.

Speaking of this unique friendship shared by the institutions, Dr. Mike Davis, who serves as the president of Fairmont State University, said, “We are partners with Pierpont, not competitors. The real competition isn’t between institutions. It’s with the voices telling people not to improve their lives with higher education, not to invest in their futures. When Fairmont State and Pierpont work together to build a more educated, career-ready West Virginia, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish. This agreement is just the first of what I am confident will be many successful partnerships between our institutions.”

Dr. Allen Bedford, the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Fairmont State University, said, “Our high-quality academic programs must be both relevant and accessible to the people of West Virginia. By working together, we can build systems that help more people continue their education, develop new in-demand skills and prepare for new career opportunities. Partnerships like the one we share with Pierpont are the key to building a stronger future for all of West Virginia.”

David Beighley, who serves as the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Pierpont, noted, “We spend a great deal of time encouraging our students to take the next step. We ask our students to challenge themselves to earn another credential, develop a new skill, or pursue an opportunity that may not have seemed possible before. When our own employees make the same commitment, we demonstrate that lifelong learning is more than something we talk about. It is something we practice.”

For more information about Pierpont Community and Technical College, visit the school’s website.