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West Virginia University College of Applied Human Sciences
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School of Education and Counseling

Applied Learning And Real Impact

Through applied learning and research, our students gain the skills and experience to lead, teach, and support others in educational and counseling settings.

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Student Spotlights

Our students are making a difference in their communities and beyond. Read about their experiences and how they are applying their knowledge in real-world settings.

The professors in our program are outstanding educators and people. They are highly knowledgeable in their fields but remain compassionate and kind. They push students to think outside of the box and want nothing more for us than to succeed.

Shauna Riggs

Class: 2026 Hometown: Sistersville, WV

B.A. Elementary Education

Read More : about Shauna Riggs

I was once that 17-year-old kid who had no clue where I wanted to go to college. I had never even been to the state of West Virginia until I applied to WVU. When I was researching schools that I think would be good short-term and long-term, I came across WVU, and now I love everything about it.

Ian Finegan

Class: 2026 (December) Hometown: Perry Hall, Md.

B.A. Mental Health and Addiction Studies; B.S. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology

Read More : about Ian Finegan

WVU’s Elementary Education program has prepared me to step into my own classroom by providing a supportive learning environment, brilliant professors, and administrators who help guide us through our classes and in-school placements. I have always had the support I have needed.

Kimberly Manning

Class: 2026 Hometown: Oakland, N.J.

Elementary Education

Read More : about Kimberly Manning

Read more student spotlights in the School of Education and Counseling.

Latest News

News and notes from around the School of Education and Counseling.

A group of WVU College of Applied Human Sciences student award recipients pose with their plaques and certificates in front of a CAHS step-and-repeat banner, with WVU's campus visible through the windows behind them.

CAHS honors top students at awards ceremony

Thursday, April 30, 2026

The College of Applied Human Sciences recognized outstanding students from across its two academic schools during its annual Student Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 24, at the Mountainlair on the WVU campus.

Read More: CAHS honors top students at awards ceremony
Claude responded: A smiling teacher with outstretched arms welcomes a group of young students with backpacks running toward her in a school hallway.A smiling teacher with outstretched arms welcomes a group of young students with backpacks running toward h

From WVU Online: Preparing the next generation of school leaders through place-based leadership

Friday, April 24, 2026

With teacher shortages mounting and a wave of principal retirements on the horizon, the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences is meeting the demand for school leaders through its online M.A. in Leadership Studies in Education program. Built around a place-based leadership model, the program prepares working educators to strengthen schools by drawing on community assets, including local partnerships and deeply rooted relationships. Erin McHenry-Sorber, a nationally recognized rural education scholar, shapes the program's approach with a particular focus on rural West Virginia schools. A new summer 2026 start term is now available.

Read More: From WVU Online: Preparing the next generation of school leaders through place-based leadership
uthor Nate Whiting stands behind a table displaying his illustrated children's books, including titles such as

From WVU Stories: An Accidental Journey

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Nate Whiting spent decades writing poems for fun, for his students, and for his family, never thinking much would come of it. The WVU education alum and former physical education teacher finally had someone convince him otherwise. Now he's the author of the "Whimsies of an Accidental Poet" series, rhyme-driven children's books built around big imagination and the belief that kids deserve to laugh.

Read More: From WVU Stories: An Accidental Journey
Hannah Decanio smiles while holding a West Virginia School Counselor Association Graduate Student of the Year award plaque.

Decanio named WVSCA Graduate Student of the Year

Monday, March 02, 2026

Hannah Decanio, a master’s student in the school counseling program at West Virginia University, was named the 2026 Graduate Student of the Year by the West Virginia School Counselor Association and received the award at the organization’s annual conference Feb. 26–27 at the Waterfront Hotel in Morgantown.

Read More: Decanio named WVSCA Graduate Student of the Year

Read more stories about the School of Education and Counseling.

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