Campbellsville University continues expansion plans in West Virginia
Campbellsville, KY (10/30/2019) — Campbellsville University is continuing steps toward an expansion into West Virginia.
The West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education (WVCCTCE), at a meeting Oct. 24 in Charleston, W.Va., approved Campbellsville University to offer associate degrees and certificate programs in West Virginia. The university is first looking at the Certificate in Christian Ministries along with Cosmetology and Barbering, according to Dr. H. Keith Spears, senior vice president and assistant to the president of Campbellsville University.
"The Certificate in Christian Ministries offers practical education to those wishing to follow their calling into ministry," Spears said. "And Cosmetology and Barbering prepare students to enter the workforce as credentialed and licensed professionals." The university is collaborating with organizations in two West Virginia cities, Williamson and Huntington.
"This is a step in a series of approvals needed to move this project forward. The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) will allow us to begin with online courses as we move through the next stages of approvals by our accreditor," Dr. Donna Hedgepath, Campbellsville University's provost and vice president for academic affairs, said. "Additionally, authorization will need to come from the West Virginia Cosmetology and Barbering Commission," she said.
An investment group has recently purchased the former Williamson Middle and High schools. The middle school was previously home to Ambassador Christian Academy.
Williamson's mayor, Charles Hatfield, has formally invited the university on behalf of the investment group, which will facilitate space for an office, classrooms and other operational needs.
Christ Temple Church is sponsoring CU in Huntington, providing space for university needs. Pastor Chuck Lawrence said the university is a natural partner that will augment the church's outreach and education missions. Both locations are working with Campbellsville University on academic and community-based projects, focusing on the development of servant leaders.
"Our mission at Campbellsville University is about seeing lives changed, and we strongly feel that these work-ready programs give people the opportunity to not only change their lives, but the lives of their family as well," said Jason Roop, director of the Virginia Ponser Flanagan Technology Training Center, located on the main Campbellsville University campus.
Amanda Roop, director of the cosmetology and barbering programs at Campbellsville University, said, "These students will become licensed professionals, thus being able to pour back into their communities and bolster the economy. I have personally witnessed immense life change through these programs, and I am so excited to be able to offer this opportunity to other individuals seeking a work-ready career."
The West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education approval is another step in creating opportunities in West Virginia. "We will continue to move forward through the approval process from our accreditors," Spears said.
The approval of associate degrees and certificate programs by the WVCCTCE just one month after the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission approved degree programs from Campbellsville University's School of Theology. The Southern Association of College and Schools' Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) site approvals and other requirement still need to be completed.
For more information about these programs, contact Josh Switzer, special projects manager at Campbellsville University at jdswitzer@campbellsville.edu or at (270) 789-5131.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 14,000 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The university has Kentucky based off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville. Out-of-state centers include two in California at Los Angeles and Lathrop, located in the San Francisco Bay region. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.