FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 2, 2025
FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Pierpont Community & Technical College welcomed more than 30 state higher education leaders and regional partners on Dec. 1 for Credential WV Connect, a statewide convening focused on expanding microcredential opportunities and strengthening workforce pathways across West Virginia.
The event opened with remarks from Dr. Michael Waide, Interim President of Pierpont, who emphasized the transformative role of credentials in higher education.
“We have shifted the meaning of credentials from being just a gateway to a profession to something that helps students stay on track toward what they define as success,” Waide said. “Whether that means entering the workforce quickly, reskilling for a new career, or continuing education, these credentials empower learners to change their lives and the lives of those around them.”
Following Waide’s welcome, Jodi Oliveto, Senior Policy and Program Officer, and Dr. Beez Schell, Academic Officer for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System, presented an overview of the Credential West Virginia initiative. The statewide effort focuses on building an employer-driven ecosystem where higher education institutions collaborate to meet workforce needs. The initiative emphasizes flexibility, stackability, and responsiveness, ensuring credentials are designed with industry input and can be combined into larger pathways.
Pierpont leaders then shared the college’s approach to meeting this challenge. Dr. Joni Gray, Director of Career and Corporate Training, highlighted Pierpont’s accelerated training programs.
“We offer more than 50 stand-alone, industry-aligned credentials through our Career and Corporate Training division,” Gray said. “These stackable options allow students to build skills in small, targeted chunks that meet both their goals and employer needs.”
David Beighley, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, highlighted how microcredentialing is being embedded across Pierpont’s academic programs.
“We need to re-envision higher education to meet the needs of our students and industry partners, and microcredentialing has become a key part of this strategy,” Beighley said. “Across Pierpont’s schools, faculty are developing short, targeted credentials that validate job-ready skills while also serving as meaningful on-ramps into certificate and degree pathways.”
Examples of Pierpont’s credentialing efforts include phlebotomy, EKG, and patient care skills in healthcare; cybersecurity fundamentals and cloud technologies in information technology; and safety, industrial maintenance basics, and blueprint reading in advanced manufacturing and trades. Pierpont’s goal with microcredentials is to provide students with more ways to start, advance, and succeed, while giving employers reliable validation of the skills they need most.
The showcase also featured presentations from Fairmont State University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Glenville State University, and West Virginia University, each sharing innovative approaches to workforce-aligned education. Highlights included Fairmont State’s focus on bridging academic training and community engagement, Glenville State’s emphasis on workforce readiness, Wesleyan’s agility in designing new credentials to meet regional needs, and WVU’s commitment to an employer-driven model that customizes training to industry demand.
Pierpont’s commitment to responsiveness and relevance reflects its mission to provide accessible, comprehensive education and create a dynamic talent pipeline for North Central West Virginia and beyond. The event concluded with networking and continued conversations among institutional leaders, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing workforce-aligned education across the state.
Pierpont Community & Technical College is dedicated to providing accessible, responsive, and quality education to students and businesses throughout North Central West Virginia. With a focus on career readiness and workforce development, Pierpont offers a wide range of academic programs and industry-focused training opportunities to support the region’s economic and workforce needs.
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