Press Releases
Contact: Jack Bailey
(304) 766-4109
jbaile19@wvstateu.edu
June 29, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WVSU EDC Strives to Connect Community with Free Fitness Group in July
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University (WVSU) Economic Development Center (EDC) will host “Let’s Move!,” a free low-intensity fitness group that will meet every Monday through Friday in July from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Attendees will stretch and walk along Kanawha Boulevard with stops for specialized workouts such as jumping jacks, toe touches, air squats and a challenging core activity. Participants will meet at the WVSU EDC, located at 1506 Kanawha Boulevard West in Charleston. Register online at bit.ly/EDCWalk.
This program is the first event in the EDC’s new promotional health series, which will feature career choices and options in health care that expand outside the nursing field.
For questions, please contact Kaysha Jackson at morenokt@wvstateu.edu.
Follow West Virginia State University on Facebook, Instagram @wvsu_official, and Twitter @WVStateU.
West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi‐generational institution, located in Institute, W.Va. As a “living laboratory of human relations,” the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.
West Virginia State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin, ancestry, age, blindness, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status or other category that is protected under federal, State, or local anti-discrimination laws as protected characteristics.
-WVSU-
Contact: Jack Bailey
(304) 766-4109
jbaile19@wvstateu.edu
January 29, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
West Virginia State University Business Development Training Program Announces Spring Session
INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- West Virginia State University (WVSU) Extension Service is helping entrepreneurs launch their business ideas with a new session of the Opening Soon Inc. (OSI) business development training program for entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses.
The 10-week program will provide education and guidance in launching participants’ business idea into a viable product or service. Workshops will be held virtually on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., February 6 through April 10.
“Join us as we cover various topics in product development, business plans, credit and financing, social media and marketing,” said Tiffany Ellis-Williams, director of the WVSU Economic Development Center, which hosts the OSI program.
Instruction will be supplemented with technical assistance, including one-on-one business coaching and mentoring, Ellis-Williams said.
Funding for OSI is provided in part by The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.
The course is free to attend. Registration information is available at wvsuedc.org.
Follow West Virginia State University on Facebook and Twitter @WVStateU.
West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi-generational institution, located in Institute, W.Va. As a “living laboratory of human relations,” the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service, and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to provide this content into reasonable alternate accessible formats upon request. Please contact the WVSU Extension Service office at (304) 204-4305 or extension@wvstateu.edu.
West Virginia State University Research & Development Corporation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or veteran status in any of its programs or activities.
- WVSU -
November 6, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WVSU EXTENSION SERVICE AND WV HEALTH RIGHT PARTNER TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF FLU VACCINATIONS
Free Flu Vaccine Clinic to Be Held November 13 in Dunbar
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University (WVSU) Extension Service has partnered with West Virginia Health Right to promote the importance of flu vaccinations this flu season. A free flu vaccine clinic will be held Friday, November 13, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the William J. Raglin Community Center in Dunbar.
Free flu vaccines will be available on a first come, first served basis. No insurance information will be required to receive a vaccine.
“The importance of being safe and healthy during the flu season cannot be understated, and is only more vital as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said WVSU Economic Development Center Director Tiffany Ellis-Williams. “The economic prosperity of a community is tied to the overall health and wellbeing of the people living there, and one step to ensure that we stay healthy during the flu season is to get vaccinated.”
WVSU Extension Service partnered with West Virginia Health Right to increase awareness about vaccinations through educational workshops and flu clinics throughout the flu season. Additional vaccine clinics are being scheduled over the coming months, and a community forum is being planned for December.
"Nothing shows you care about your family and other loved ones like protecting them against the flu,” said West Virginia Health Right CEO Angela Settle. “Do your part and get your annual influenza vaccine, because it is not just about you, it is about those around you who may be at risk for serious health implications from influenza.”
Settle also noted the heightened importance of flu vaccines this year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Do your part and mask up, wash your hands and get your flu shot,” she said.
The initiative is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s seasonal flu vaccination campaign, which encourages people to roll their #SleeveUp to #FlightFlu.
The William J. Raglin Community Center is located at 142 Marshall Avenue in Dunbar.
Follow West Virginia State University on Facebook and Twitter @WVStateU.
West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi‐generational institution, located in Institute, W.Va. As a “living laboratory of human relations,” the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.
West Virginia State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin, ancestry, age, blindness, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status or other category that is protected under federal, State, or local anti-discrimination laws as protected characteristics.
-WVSU-
Feb. 10, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Author, Financial Strategist and TEDx Speaker Will Roundtree to Host Free
Seminar at West Virginia State University Feb. 27
INSTITUTE, West Virginia –Renowned author, financial strategist, podcaster and TEDx speaker Will Roundtree will conduct a free seminar on financial literacy and entrepreneurship at West Virginia State University’s (WVSU) Integrated Research and Extension Building (IREB) Thursday, Feb. 27, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Roundtree will also sign copies of his book “Credit is King: Transforming Your Credit to Royalty.”
“Will’s achievements are a true success story and a testament to hard work, perseverance and determination,” said Tiffany Ellis-Williams, director of WVSU’s Economic Development Center (EDC), who is sponsoring the event along with EnAct Community Action. “Not only has he achieved success, but he is also willing to show others how to manage their credit while building wealth. We are happy to partner with EnAct Community Action to welcome him to West Virginia State University.”
From homeless to millionaire, Roundtree has established himself as a staple in the real estate investment sector. As the founder and top-grossing principal at We Management Services, Inc., he has helped over 1,500 small to medium businesses get access to over $300 million dollars in funding during a two-year period.
Roundtree’s road to success has been called nothing short of miraculous. In 2005, he left his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a borrowed $500 and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. Once there, he found the ruthless realities of living with no financial plan and imperfect credit. Eventually, hard work led to certification as a FICO-certified credit consultant.
Now, Roundtree tours the country as a notable financial advisor, author, motivational speaker, mentor, community organizer, real estate investor and wealth builder. He has led more than 700 workshops and seminars worldwide, including a 2018 TEDx talk on the power of failure. TED is a nonpartisan non-profit organization devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks. In 2020, he launched a podcast series called “The Wealth Files,” billed as a transformative space for financial literacy.
Roundtree’s WVSU seminar is being sponsored by the WVSU Economic Development Center and EnAct Community Action. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is available at wvsuedc.org.
The WVSU IREB is located at 200 Avenue A, Institute, West Virginia, at the former site of the West Virginia Rehabilitation Center.
Follow West Virginia State University on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @WVStateU.
West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi‐generational institution, located in Institute, W.Va. As a “living laboratory of human relations,” the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.
- WVSU -
Feb. 10, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
West Virginia State University Creators Program Announces Spring Schedule
INSTITUTE, West Virginia – The spring season of West Virginia State University’s (WVSU) Creators Program includes a series of talks targeting authors, sports fans, musicians and visual storytellers. The free sessions will take place throughout the coming months at the WVSU Economic Development Center (EDC) in Charleston, beginning Feb. 12.
“The spring line-up of Creators Program sessions at the WVSU EDC is a celebration of the arts in West Virginia,” said WVSU EDC Artist in Residence Danny Boyd, a retired WVSU professor, author, filmmaker and playwright. “This season, we welcome a variety of regional authors, filmmakers, playwrights and musicians who will showcase their work and talent.”
The full schedule of spring sessions includes the following.
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Growing Up Black in Appalachia with Professional Storyteller W.I. “Bill” Hairston | Feb. 19 | 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Hairston, a member of the West Virginia Storytelling Guild, will share stories and experiences on what it was like growing up black in his beloved West Virginia.
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An Evening with the Huntington Sirens | March 19 | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. - A panel discussion on publishing with Huntington-based authors Sheila Redling, Marie Manilla and Carter Taylor Seaton.
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Batter Up: Baseball in Charleston | April 8 | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. - A West Virginia Public Radio documentary listening party with creator Eric Douglas and guests from the PBS program.
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Space Preachers: The Musical | April 10 | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. - A studio recording of “Space Preachers: The Musical,” with creators Mark Scarpelli and Boyd.
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Words and Music with Marc Harshman and Doug Van Gundy | May 6 | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Readings and music with West Virginia Poet Laureate Harshman and author Van Gundy.
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Screen to Stage: Adapting the Film “Paradise Park” to a Staged Musical | June 10 | 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Boyd and “Mountain Stage” host Larry Groce will share the story of adapting Boyd’s film “Paradise Park” into a musical.
The Creators Program launched in 2012 as a series of community workshops focusing on skills and knowledge essential to creating for mass media and art. Workshops and talks are designed for people of all skill levels, including students and others interested in expanding their creative endeavors.
Each Creators Talk is free to attend. Space is limited, and registration is required. To register, visit wvsuedc.org or call (304) 720-1401.
The WVSU EDC is located at 1506 Kanawha Blvd. W. in Charleston.
Follow West Virginia State University on Facebook and Twitter @WVStateU.
West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi‐generational institution, located in Institute, W.Va. As a “living laboratory of human relations,” the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.
-WVSU-
Jan. 2, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
West Virginia State University Economic Development Center Partners with SCORE to Offer Business Mentoring
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University (WVSU) Economic Development Center (EDC) has partnered with the SCORE West Virginia - Charleston Chapter to offer the organization’s free business mentoring at the EDC Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. Since 1964, the organization has provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs.
“We are excited to partner with SCORE to bring their network of business mentors to the EDC on an on-going basis to serve as a resource for those who may be interested in starting a business, or who may already be entrepreneurs,” said WVSU EDC Director Tiffany Ellis-Williams. “The WVSU EDC is dedicated to helping small businesses grow, and partnering with organizations like SCORE only enhances our ability to offer assistance.”
SCORE offers a wide range of services including free, confidential business mentoring as well as an extensive online library of resources and webinars on topics ranging from startup strategies to marketing and finance.
“Whether it is a notion, what seems like a crazy idea, stabilizing or scaling a current business, the SCORE West Virginia – Charleston Chapter can help you,” said Melissa J. Hill, chair of the Charleston Chapter. “We look forward to serving West Virginia in your community in 2020.”
Anyone interested in the business mentoring service can stop by the EDC anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, or can call the EDC at (304) 720-1401 to schedule an appointment.
The WVSU EDC is located at 1506 Kanawha Blvd. West in Charleston.
SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). For more information, visit https://wv.score.org.
Follow West Virginia State University on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @WVStateU.
West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi-generational institution, located in Institute, W.Va. As a “living laboratory of human relations,” the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service, and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.
- WVSU -
December 2, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
West Virginia State University Economic Development Center and West Virginia Small Business Development Center Partner to Provide Free Business Coaching
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University (WVSU) Economic Development Center (EDC) has teamed with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) to provide free business coaching at the EDC Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. WV SBDC Business Coach Will Miller will be onsite to assist entrepreneurs and small business owners with their business ideas and plans.
The collaboration results from the agencies’ mutual desire to assist with the needs of entrepreneurs, start-up companies and existing small businesses.
“We felt we could partner with the Small Business Development Center to provide business development programs and technical assistance to help entrepreneurs start, grow and expand their businesses,” said WVSU EDC Director Tiffany Ellis-Williams. “The WV SBDC was looking to have a presence on Charleston’s West Side, and, with our mutual mission to assist the business community, the WVSU EDC provides the perfect venue.”
The WV SBDC provides support to West Virginia’s small businesses through one-on-one coaching, training and facilitating connections to resources. Research shows that business owners who work with coaches nationwide see 17 percent annual sales growth, four times the national average.
Miller joined the WV SBDC last August to lead the WV SBDC Charleston Center, which focuses on small businesses in Clay, Kanawha, Putnam and Roane counties. He is part of the state-wide network of WV SBDC business coaches providing guidance in areas such as exporting, innovation, technology and economic development, finance, management, cyber-security and marketing.
Business owners and entrepreneurs can stop in anytime during the 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. timeframe on Tuesdays to meet with Miller or call the WVSU EDC at (304) 720-1401 to schedule an appointment.
The WVSU EDC is located at 1506 Kanawha Blvd. West in Charleston.
Follow West Virginia State University on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @WVStateU.
West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi‐generational institution, located in Institute, W.Va. As a “living laboratory of human relations,” the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.
-WVSU-