FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 8, 2026
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Following a comprehensive search, Pierpont Community & Technical College has announced three finalists for the position of provost and vice president of academic affairs.
The finalists will visit campus June 15-18 for interviews, stakeholder engagement and public presentations as part of the final stage of the search process.
“Selecting the next provost is one of the most important decisions we will make as an institution,” said Dr. Michael Waide, Interim President of Pierpont Community & Technical College. “We are committed to a transparent and inclusive process that allows our campus community to engage directly with each candidate and provide meaningful input. The perspectives shared during these presentations will help guide the future of academic leadership at Pierpont and strengthen our mission to serve students and our region.”
As part of the campus visit, each candidate will deliver a presentation from the prompt, “Promoting and Empowering Adult Learner Persistence and Success in Community College Higher Education.” The presentations are designed to provide insight into each candidate’s leadership philosophy, communication style and approach to supporting student success in a community college setting.
Pierpont will host one finalist each day, with public presentations scheduled as follows:
- June 15 at 10 a.m., Dr. Lindsey Simon-Jones
- June 16 at 10 a.m., Dr. Mark Meyers
- June 18 at 2:30 p.m., Mr. David Beighley
All presentations will be held in the Advanced Technology Center, Room 216A.
Each session will include a 25-30 minute presentation followed by a 10-15 minute question-and-answer period focused on the presentation. Faculty, staff, students and members of the public are invited to attend.
The finalists include:
Dr. Lindsey Simon-Jones, Chief Academic Officer and Director of Academic Affairs at Penn State Fayette, brings extensive experience in academic leadership, faculty development and student success initiatives. She has served in executive leadership roles guiding academic operations, program development and institutional strategy with an emphasis on data-informed decision-making and collaborative governance.
Dr. Mark Meyers, Professor of Education at Robert Morris University and former dean of the School of Nursing, Education and Human Studies, has more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education. His work includes developing academic programs, securing external funding and building partnerships that support student success and workforce readiness.
Mr. David Beighley, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Pierpont, has more than 20 years of experience at the institution. His leadership includes academic administration, accreditation, assessment and development of workforce-aligned programs that support student success and regional needs.
Presentation attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on each candidate through an online survey following the presentations. Feedback collected during the campus visits will be used to help inform the final selection.
Candidate bios and curricula vitae are available on the Provost Search webpage.
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.
Media Contact:
Pierpont Community and Technical College
Office of Marketing and Communications
communications@pierpont.edu