GLENVILLE, W.Va. — Veteran West Virginia educator Dr. Mark Manchin is making another move. The Harrison County Superintendent of Schools has been named the next president at Glenville State College.
“I am excited for the opportunity to lead Glenville State College and take on this new challenge in my long career in education,” Manchin said in a statement released by GSC Tuesday afternoon. “I want to bring my experience to help Glenville bridge the gap between higher education and public education which is critical for our success. I am looking forward to the challenge of helping Glenville prepare our students for the exciting future that awaits them.”
Manchin, who holds degrees from Fairmont State and WVU, began his teaching career in Greenbrier County in 1976. He followed that with a teaching stint in Wood County. He was elected to the state Senate from Kanawha County in 1988. He became school superintendent in Webster County in 1996. He then was appointed to take over a struggling McDowell County school system in 2001. Several new school construction projects took place during his six years at the the helm. In 2007, his cousin, then-Gov. Joe Manchin appointed him as executive director of the state School Building Authority. He stayed in that position until 2014 when he was chosen Harrison County school superintendent.
Manchin was one of five finalists for the GSC job. All five visited the Glenville campus last week.
“Dr. Manchin has a proven record of success in leading educational institutions through challenging times,” Glenville Board of Governors Chairman Greg Smith said. “We believe he will be a strong and tireless champion for Glenville moving forward.”
Manchin, the son of the late A. James Manchin, will take over on July 1. He replaces former president Dr. Tracy Pellett who resigned last year.
Glenville State, like all other colleges and universities in the state, have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.