MOOREFIELD, W.Va. — Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College (Eastern WVCTC) hosted a District Consortium Lunch and Learn on Monday, Nov. 17, welcoming representatives from local businesses, community organizations and county school systems across its six-county service region.
Lunch was provided by Country Roads Catering, and the afternoon focused on collaboration, networking and a shared vision for the future of students and communities in the Potomac Highlands.
The purpose of the consortium is to strengthen a collaborative network between Eastern, secondary schools and local employers, creating clearer pathways that support student success and regional economic growth. Participants received updates on Eastern’s current initiatives, future plans and long-term vision for serving the region.
Event highlights
Participants engaged in discussion on topics including:
- Career and technical education and Advanced Career Education (ACE) articulated credit
- Dual credit and Level Up pathways
- Seamless 2+2 transfer opportunities with more than 70 partner institutions
- Workforce training, microcredentials and employer partnerships
- Internship, apprenticeship and job-shadowing opportunities
- Community-driven advisory committees
- Statewide higher education updates, including ACE implementation, common course numbering and open educational resources
Eastern reported that 17 attendees expressed interest in joining the college’s academic advisory committees, a step that will help strengthen programs and better align them with workforce needs.
Presenters for the event included:
- Dr. Thomas Striplin, President
- Lauren Arbaugh, Director of Workforce & Continuing Education
- Tiffany Sentman, Student Program Advisor
- Dixie Heavener, Title III Project Director & Career Counselor
A commitment to collaboration
“Our region thrives when our schools, employers and community partners work together toward the same goal,” said Monica Wilson, v.p. of Academics & Student Services. “The District Consortium gives us a space to listen, share and build pathways that truly serve our students. The level of engagement we saw at this session shows how committed our partners are to shaping the future of the Potomac Highlands.”
Eastern hosts the District Consortium twice a year, once in person and once virtually, to keep partnerships active, connected and responsive to regional needs. These ongoing conversations help align education with workforce demands, create new opportunities for students and deepen collaboration across schools, organizations and industries.
For more information or to receive an invitation to future consortium meetings, contact Monica Wilson at monica.wilson@easternwv.edu.
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