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When Paige Zalman went to sleep on the night of Tuesday, April 2, she was still a PhD candidate. By the time she went to sleep on Wednesday, April 3, not only was she now Dr. Paige Zalman after successfully defending her thesis, but she was also the winner of WVU’s 3-Minute Thesis competition, capping a day she likely won’t forget anytime soon.

It’s not an ideal circumstance to undergo the stress of a dissertation defense and an intense competition like 3MT within hours of each other. Zalman certainly didn’t draw it up that way.

Jake Follmer, assistant professor in the School of Education, is one of four faculty members at West Virginia University to be recognized for exceptional and innovative teaching with the 2024 WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching. 

Two students in the College of Applied Human Sciences have earned scholarships from the WVU Foundation to help them defray costs and support the completion of their theses or dissertations. 

Megan Hut, from Tiel, the Netherlands, is one of four WVU doctoral students to receive the WVU Foundation Distinguished Doctoral Scholarship. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in educational theory and practice 

The College of Applied Human Sciences celebrate Commencement on Saturday, December 16, at 2 p.m. at the WVU Coliseum. Here is a look at several graduates from the College who will be earning their degree this weekend.  

Isaac Bond is a West Virginia native who maximized his time in the sport management program by utilizing in-person and online classes in order to work during his time at school. Katie Merrill, one of the first graduates of the mental health and addiction studies program on Saturday, credits the faculty for their personal investment into her success. 

Karoline Colucci, a senior from Stafford, Va., comes from a family of educators. She originally resisted going into education, but was driven by various opportunities within her community and a desire to make a positive impact on future generations. She emphasizes the dedication of teachers and the importance of providing all students with a quality education. She believes in the potential of West Virginia students and explains the importance of the close-knit community at WVU and the elementary education program.

Major: Elementary Education

Zane Collings shares his journey about growing up in West Virginia and pursuing a career in elementary education at their state's flagship university. Collings shares how he decided to pursue elementary education (over musical education) and the influence of both of his parents, who are both teachers. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the well-being of the children when considering a teaching career and highlights the distinctive features of WVU's elementary education program, including his hands-on experience in the field.

Major: Elementary Education

The National Science Foundation recently awarded a grant of nearly $600,000 to a team of faculty at West Virginia University, including Jake Follmer from the School of Education in the College of Applied Human Sciences, for a project aimed at enhancing engineering education for students at West Virginia University.

Follmer is joined as a lead investigator on the project by Lizzie Santiago (principal investigator) and Michael Brewster (co-principal investigator), who serve as faculty members in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering.

The West Virginia University campus is invited to celebrate the start of the academic year with the College of Applied Human Sciences on Thursday, September 7, 3-5 p.m. at the Evansdale recreation fields. All students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend.

The fair will feature free snacks, drinks, games, prizes, music, and more. Students will be able to meet college faculty and staff, including a meet and greet with Dean Autumn Cyprès, and learn more about various clubs and organizations on campus. 

Cat O'Malley, Literacy Department Chair for Annapolis Middle School, found her way into the realm of education through an unconventional path. She began her career with roles in management, event management and sales, but found her true calling in literacy education. Her journey has been marked by determination and a commitment to making a difference, and her diverse skill set enriches her role as a teacher and educational leader.

Cat received her master's degree in literacy education from West Virginia University in 2021. She earned her degree nearly a decade after completing her undergraduate studies in tourism and events management from George Mason University.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In an effort to elevate early childhood education and expand opportunities for aspiring teachers, the West Virginia University Nursery School is now fully part of the College of Applied Human Sciences with Ashley Martucci, a longtime educator, appointed to serve as the school’s director.

Under the new structure, the curriculum at the nursery school will be aligned with the curriculum and best practices as taught in the School of Education as well as national accreditation standards. Further, aspiring teachers will also receive immersive opportunities in early education without leaving campus.