BECKLEY, W.Va. — Following the announcement of the selection of a new interim chancellor for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, Carolyn Long will return to her post as president of West Virginia University Institute of Technology, beginning Monday.
Long was to return to the Beckley campus May 16, but stepped down as the commission’s interim chancellor, after HEPC members chose West Virginia Community and Technical College System Chancellor Dr. Sarah Tucker as Long’s replacement Friday.
“I have ached to get back to my students at Tech, so I welcome this development with open arms,” said Long, who had been serving as interim chancellor since last summer.
In July 2018, the HEPC abruptly ended its search for a new chancellor to replace the outgoing Paul Hill, who was named as a paid adviser to the board on the day Long was announced as interim chancellor, a move that generated scrutiny and criticism from members of the West Virginia House of Delegates Education Committee, who cited a lack of transparency in the process leading up to the decision to hire Long.
Commissioner Jenny Allen, who cast the sole vote opposing Long’s appointment, expressed concerns about Long’s qualifications and possible conflicts of interest.
Joan Neff, who had been serving as WVU Tech’s interim campus president, will resume her full-time duties as provost, effective Monday.