CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Glenville State College took a step closer Friday to becoming Glenville State University with a vote by the state Higher Education Policy Commission.
The commission voted to approve university status for Glenville State “pending successful implementation of its graduate academic programs by the fall 2022 semester.”
“This is certainly something we feel strongly about and we’re looking forward to the next 150 years being Glenville State University,” GSC President Dr. Mark Manchin told the HEPC after Friday’s vote.
State code sets out certain criteria for a college to gain university status. One of the requirements is to offer at least one graduate degree program. The HEPC voted Friday to approve two programs at Glenville State; Master of Arts in Education and Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. The Higher Learning Commission approved both programs in November. Coursework for both will be online.
Glenville State’s Board of Governors will next affirm the new designation and set an official date for the school to become Glenville State University. The legislature is also expected to take up a bill calling for the name to be changed in state code. Manchin said the school turns 150 on Feb. 22.
“This will be our 150th anniversary and hopefully with the approval of the West Virginia Legislature, it’s going to be a great day to be a Pioneer on Feb. 22,” Manchin said.
Glenville State has about 1,500 students.
According to the HEPC, university status can be applied for when a higher education institution in West Virginia is “offering at least one master’s-level degree program; having an approved mission statement that provides for the offering of graduate programs; obtaining the approval of the Higher Learning Commission to offer any master’s degree program; and, having at least two-thirds of its faculty holding a terminal degree.”
The HEPC also approved a Master of Business Administration Program at Bluefield State College during Friday’s meeting.