PI ERP O N T P RESI DENT PL EDG ES T O
Promote Entrepreneurship The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has announced that Pierpont Interim
President Dr. Anthony Hancock has taken its Presidents for Entrepreneurship Pledge. Through the pledge, presidents of community colleges throughout the country pledge to take action steps that will increase their focus on entrepreneurship and the
PI ERP O N T S E R VES K EY ROL E I N REGIO N ’S
Economy and Workforce Development For Nancy Ligus, the goal for workforce education is simple: a good paying job is at the other end. As Pierpont Community &
to the economic vitality and
high-demand occupations. In
competitiveness of our state.”
addition, she will be working
“Since I began my career in
collaboratively with the local
workforce development through
Workforce Development Board and
Technical College’s new director of
higher education, I hold these ideals
regional economic and workforce
Workforce, Continuing Education
as the compass and measure against
development agencies, as well as
and Economic Development, Ligus
the work we do, collectively, in
Pierpont’s various program advisory
is focused on developing programs
workforce education,” Ligus said.
that result in students being able to
Pierpont has many channels
boards, to create and sustain those employer relationships.
use their knowledge, skills and ability
to provide workforce education,
in an occupation with a good income.
including degree, non-degree and
knowledge of training needs in real
independent workforce training.
time,” Ligus said. “Competency-
“Community colleges were designed for flexibility and
“We are the most engaged with
“That’s where we will get the best
based education must be the focus
responsiveness to provide portable,
the community we serve, especially
of Workforce Training programs
career-level skills that result in
business and industry. As the
and Continuing Education because
students getting jobs in our region
economic landscape changes,
it has become more and more
and beyond. Ideally, that goal drives
we adapt and respond,” Ligus
valuable to employers.”
all programming,” Ligus said.
said. “Economic development
It’s a part of the mission of
Pierpont is in the most
and workforce development are a
advantageous position in West
the West Virginia Community
marriage, and community colleges
Virginia as a community college, she
& Technical College system,
support that relationship.”
noted. The 13-county region has a
to “maximize student learning,
Ligus has begun examining
large population; a high number
improve the standard of living for
labor market data for the region
of manufacturing, healthcare and
West Virginians, and contribute
and neighboring states to identify
energy-based companies in place; and
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