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Impact Report 2023-2024

Impact Report 2023-2024

A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR

At West Virginia University, community engagement is not just a value. It is a mission we live every day. In the 2023-2024 academic year, Mountaineers dedicated more than 104,635 hours of meaningful service, contributing more than $2.9 million in impact to the communities we serve. From classrooms to nonprofits, from local neighborhoods to statewide initiatives, our students, faculty and staff have answered the call to lead, serve and create change.

This year, we strengthened our commitment to reciprocal partnerships, supporting over 500 organizations through iServe, building new collaborations and expanding programs like Purpose2Action, which empower students to connect purpose with action. These efforts not only meet critical community needs but also prepare WVU students to be career leaders grounded in empathy, knowledge and a commitment to the public good.

Looking ahead, our focus remains unwavering: to cultivate a culture of engagement that transcends boundaries, drives innovation and ensures that together, we make a difference. Thank you to our partners, students and the greater WVU family for being the force that turns vision into action.

A Year in Reflection

$2,947,576.12 Impact Value

104,635+ Hours Served in the Community

3,421+ Volunteers in 2023–2024

2,518+ Community Members Reached Through AmeriCorps VISTA

765 Campus and Community Partners’ Needs Met This Year

185 Campus and Community Partners Benefitted

21 Service-Learning Courses Taught

20 Students Completed Purpose2Action

15 AmeriCorps VISTAs Placed Throughout the State

Community Engagement Highlights

12 Coffee Chats: Facilitated between community partners and the CCE to strengthen relationships and exchange ideas.
Capacity-Building Trainings: Sessions designed to empower community partners with skills in securing and managing grants.
New Partnerships: Collaborations forged with organizations like the WVU Center for Veteran, Military and Family Programs.
Community Expos: Two events organized to showcase community organizations and connect them with WVU students and faculty.
Student-Focused Events: Events like Grad Fest and Orientation foster community and engagement.

COMMUNITY ENGAGED SCHOLARSHIP

At West Virginia University, Community Engaged Scholarship (CES) goes beyond service. It is a collaborative approach to research, teaching and creative activity that addresses real-world challenges through reciprocal partnerships with communities. Through the ACE Series, faculty and students gain tools to integrate engagement into their work, exploring place-based research, civic engagement and university- community collaborations. The Engaged Scholars Academy provides structured support for faculty developing community-based research (CBR), aligning engagement with funding and academic recognition. WVU scholars are leading community-driven research in rural health care, infrastructure and education, applying their expertise to support opioid recovery programs, economic resilience and K-12 literacy initiatives. These efforts reflect WVU’s land-grant mission, ensuring that research and teaching contribute meaningfully to both academic progress and community well-being.

ACADEMIC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (ACE) SERIES

Academic community engagement integrates meaningful community partnerships with higher education for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of collaboration and reciprocity. The purpose is to enrich scholarship, research and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good. Implementation strategies range from direct service to advocacy to research, and more. In 23/24, through presentation and discussion, participants gained tools to get them started on or to enhance their community engagement efforts. ACE also provided a community for peers to connect and access resources and opportunities.

250+ Faculty, Students, Researchers, Community Partners, and Active Citizens Participated in ACE Sessions

80+ Opportunities Curated and Shared with the Community Engaged Scholars Network

SERVICE LEARNING

The CCE works with WVU instructors to tailor courses to meet both the needs of the community and the needs of WVU students through meaningful experiential learning opportunities. Courses that engage students in the community through volunteering, public service, campaigning and outreach are encouraged to be evaluated for an S designation.

SERVICE-LEARNING COURSES DESIGNATED THIS YEAR

A&VS 463: Equine Studies – Crystal Smith
DENT 767: Rural Community Dentistry Experience – Valerie N. Perrine
NSG 411: Nursing in Complex Community Systems – Angel Smothers
DENT 715: Dental Public Health – V.N. Perrine
HN&F 472: Community Nutrition – Cindy Fitch (S-designation only)

21 SL COURSES TAUGHT

19 WVU INSTRUCTORS

This number reflects the WVU service-learning instructors who utilized CCE’s services this academic year, including iServe User Groups and consultations.

42 ORGANIZATIONS IMPACTED

This number reflects the service-learning partners recorded in iServe.

15,810+ HOURS

These hours reflect the total time students contributed through service-learning courses this academic year.

$445,381 VALUE

Based on the national value of volunteer time, this is the estimated worth of SL student hours.

23% VOLUNTEER NEEDS MET

% of recorded volunteer needs were filled by students in service-learning designated courses.

AMERICORPS VISTA PROGRAM

2,518+ people reached through AmeriCorps VISTA programming.	21 organizations impacted by VISTA partnerships.
15 VISTAs recruited and placed across WV.	8 host sites engaged across the state.
6 VISTA-led service projects organized this year.	$25,000+ in grant funding leveraged by VISTA efforts.

The AmeriCorps VISTA program continues to play a pivotal role in supporting WVU and the wider West Virginia community in efforts to reduce poverty. This program stands out for its deep connection to WVU’s land-grant mission and the broader AmeriCorps VISTA initiative, both of which emphasize collaboration with local communities to create lasting, meaningful change.

Over the past year, our VISTAs have worked on important projects that touch on critical issues such as community health, substance abuse prevention, food security, education, and fostering student involvement. In doing so, they have developed valuable skills, including organizing community initiatives, grant writing, event planning, public speaking, and data analysis.

The program's impact is made possible through partnerships with host sites across WV committed to service including: WVU Extension, WVU Center for Community Engagement, WVU Energy Express, WVU School of Nursing, WVU Lincoln County Extension Office, WVU Ascend, WVU Student Rack, and WVU Potomac State College.

Additionally, six service projects were successfully organized, engaging students and community members in meaningful activities: 9/11 Day of Service, MLK Day of Service, WVU Student Rack Delivery, Valentine’s Day of Service, Seed Packing Event, and Tree Planting at Falling Run.