The merger is the second announced in two years, which the president believes is "part of a strategic repositioning of the entire WVU System for success in a challenging collegiate landscape."
As state budgets continue to tighten and higher education runs out of pandemic-era federal funding, these colleges are continuing their research in unison. "Together, our strengths are magnified."
"We're about to fall off that cliff," said Higher Education Co-Chairman Gregg Haddad referring to the reliance the state system placed on one-time federal aid investments, such as the American Rescue Plan.
Recent state legislation and partnerships have greatly improved institutions' abilities to pump out a skilled workforce by improving student resources and offering flexible. affordable bachelor's degree attainment opportunities.
