FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2026

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Pierpont Community & Technical College and Fairmont State University signed a memorandum of agreement Monday creating a new educational path that allows eligible Pierpont employees to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Fairmont State at a tuition rate comparable to Pierpont’s community college tuition.

The agreement is designed to support faculty and staff seeking to continue their education while advancing their careers. Institutional leaders said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to lifelong learning and investing in the people who serve students across North Central West Virginia.

“This is about people. It is about opportunity. And it is about what can happen when partners in higher education come together around a shared purpose,” said Dr. Michael Waide, President of Pierpont Community & Technical College. “Today, we are investing in our employees. This creates greater access to education for the people who spend every day creating access for others.”

The agreement grew from conversations between leaders at both institutions and builds on a longstanding connection between two campuses that continue to serve many of the same students, families, employers, and communities. While operating independently, Pierpont and Fairmont State have continued to identify ways to strengthen educational pathways and expand opportunities throughout the region.

“We are partners with Pierpont, not competitors,” said Dr. Mike Davis, President of Fairmont State University. “The real competition isn’t between institutions. It’s with the voices telling people not to improve their lives with higher education, not to invest in their futures. When Fairmont State and Pierpont work together to build a more educated, career-ready West Virginia, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish. This agreement is just the first of what I am confident will be many successful partnerships between our institutions.”

Under the agreement, eligible Pierpont employees may pursue undergraduate and graduate degree programs at Fairmont State at the reduced tuition rate while maintaining employment with the college. The benefit is intended to make continuing education more attainable for employees seeking new credentials, leadership opportunities, or additional expertise.

For David Beighley, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Pierpont, the significance extends beyond the degrees employees may earn.

“We spend a great deal of time encouraging our students to take the next step. We ask our students to challenge themselves to earn another credential, develop a new skill, or pursue an opportunity that may not have seemed possible before,” Beighley said. “When our own employees make the same commitment, we demonstrate that lifelong learning is more than something we talk about. It is something we practice.”

Dr. Allen Bedford, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Fairmont State University, said the agreement reflects a broader commitment to meeting the educational needs of West Virginians throughout their lives.

“Our high-quality academic programs must be both relevant and accessible to the people of West Virginia,” Dr. Bedford said. “By working together, we can build systems that help more people continue their education, develop new in-demand skills and prepare for new career opportunities. Partnerships like the one we share with Pierpont are the key to building a stronger future for all of West Virginia.”

Leaders from both institutions said the agreement provides a foundation for future initiatives that benefit employees, students and the broader community.

“This signing is not simply the completion of an agreement, but the beginning of what comes next,” Dr. Waide said. “There are tremendous opportunities for Pierpont and Fairmont State to continue working more seamlessly together, creating new pathways, exploring innovative ideas and strengthening the communities we both serve. Today reflects a relationship built on trust, and we’re excited about where it leads next.”

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Pierpont Community & Technical College provides accessible, responsive, and high‑quality education to students and businesses across North Central West Virginia. With a strong focus on career readiness and workforce development, Pierpont offers academic programs and industry‑aligned training that create clear pathways to employment. Through this work, the college helps students discover their path while supporting the region’s economic and workforce needs.

Fairmont State University is A Great Place to Learn, to Work and to Call Home. The 120-acre main campus sits on a hillside in Fairmont, West Virginia, the county seat of Marion County. The University turns opportunity, passion and hard work into excellence in a vibrant, close-knit campus community. Students enjoy the opportunities offered by a comprehensive state university combined with the personal attention and campus atmosphere expected from a small, private school.

Learn more about Fairmont State University by visiting www.fairmontstate.edu.

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Pierpont Community and Technical College

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