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West Virginia University West Virginia Public Education Collaborative

40-TOP Roundtable Series

To date, the WVPEC has hosted three virtual roundtables in collaboration with the Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern West Virginia.

Watch Past Roundtable Sessions

Sparking Early Literacy Growth in West Virginia
October 28, 2020

Literacy is a spark that ignites learning from the youngest ages. In order to read, write, and communicate effectively, learners need foundational literacy skills. However, only 44 percent of West Virginia learners read at a proficient level by third grade. This roundtable will bring together experts and advocates for literacy to share their diverse perspectives and identify ways that West Virginia can foster literacy growth in all learners, regardless of gender, race, and socioeconomic status. State and nonprofit leaders in literacy will be joined by special guest Marc Harshman, poet laureate of West Virginia. Panelists will be the first to share an exciting grant opportunity that will be released on October 28 by the West Virginia Public Education Collaboration in partnership with the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, targeted to WV schools, nonprofits, childcare centers, and afterschool groups across the state.


Watch the Roundtable

COVID-19: Opportunities in the Economy
June 24, 2020

Lasting changes such as in the ways we work, how we access healthcare and the types of technology available to diagnose and contain the novel coronavirus may have the potential for a robust economic revival across West Virginia.

The West Virginia Public Education Collaborative and the Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern West Virginia welcome statewide experts to lead a discussion on economic opportunities and growth in the face of a worldwide recession.

  • Dr. Kim Becher, Family Medicine Specialist, Community Care
  • Terri Baker, Grants Project Manager, Center for Rural and Community Health, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
  • John Deskins, Director, Bureau of Business and Economic Research; Associate Professor, Economics, John Chambers College of Business and Economics; Assistant Dean, Outreach and Engagement
  • Jerome Gilbert, President, Marshall University
  • Dr. Drema Mace, VP for Community Engagement & Development and Executive Director of the Center for Rural and Community Health at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Dr. Clay Marsh, Vice President and Executive Dean for Health Sciences, West Virginia University
  • F. Scott Rotruck, Chair, WV Public Education Collaborative and Member, West Virginia State Board of Education
  • Kim Tieman, Health and Human Services Program Director, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation

Watch the Roundtable


COVID-19 Silver Linings: Opportunities in Education
June 3, 2020

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be difficult to see the silver linings emerging. Opportunities have multiplied to offer great hope in numerous sectors, including education, which has rapidly adapted at all levels in response to social distancing and lockdown guidelines. Parents, guardians, and educators continue to work together to ensure that K-12 students continue learning using virtual and hybrid models, while institutions of higher education are shifting to address new student needs. By embracing innovation and agility during this new way of life, lasting advances have emerged.

The West Virginia Public Education Collaborative will help lead this roundtable as part of the Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern West Virginia’s 40-TOP Roundtable Series. The Collaborative and the Alliance welcome state officials, education leaders, teachers and parents to join the discussion. Panelists include the following state leaders, all members of the WVPEC:

  • W. Clayton Burch, State Superintendent of Schools, WV Department of Education
  • Jim Denova, Vice Chair, WV Public Education Collaborative and Vice President, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
  • Jerome Gilbert, President, Marshall University
  • Jennifer Reaves, 2018 Milken Educator and Technology Integration Specialist, Mylan Park Elementary School
  • F. Scott Rotruck, Chair, WV Public Education Collaborative and Member, West Virginia State Board of Education
  • Jaime Taylor, Provost, Marshall University
  • Sarah Tucker, Chancellor, WV Higher Education Policy Commission and WV Council for Community and Technical College Education

Watch the Roundtable