Oct. 28, 2026

Why Did the Donor Say You Can't Do This Alone & Then Give $10 Million? - with Dr. Torie Jackson, President, West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Key Takeaways

Dr. Torie Jackson discusses how a remarkable $10 million gift transformed a former campus into a vibrant hub for childcare, housing, transportation, and economic development at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.
Math faculty spent weeks inside an industrial plant and returned to completely revamp their curriculum, demonstrating the power of deep industry partnerships in higher education.
The community college model thrives when institutions actively listen to their local communities and adapt their programs to meet real economic needs.
Strong leadership and collaboration are essential when tackling complex regional challenges, proving that institutions truly cannot do this work alone.

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Torie Jackson, President, West Virginia University at Parkersburg

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This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Beyond Survival: Reporting from the Front Lines of Higher Education’s War for Relevance⁠⁠ is a documentary account from the front lines of the most consequential upheaval in higher ed in generations!

This episode is sponsored by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the ⁠⁠MSCHE 2026 Annual Conference⁠⁠, where we will be podcasting live, keynoting, & facilitating a pre-conference workshop from December 9-11 in Philadelphia!

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YOUR host is ⁠Dr. Jodi Blinco

How does a $10 million gift become a failed campus turned into childcare, housing, transportation & economic development in one location?
Why did the math faculty spend weeks inside a plant & come back to completely revamp the course?
What makes the most important word in community college community?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the guest on this episode of The EdUp Experience?

The guest is Dr. Torie Jackson, President of West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

What was the significance of the $10 million gift discussed by Dr. Torie Jackson?

The $10 million gift enabled West Virginia University at Parkersburg to transform a former campus into a multi-use facility supporting childcare, housing, transportation, and regional economic development.

How did WVU Parkersburg's math faculty collaborate with local industry?

Math faculty spent weeks embedded inside an industrial plant to understand practical applications, leading them to completely revamp their courses to better align with workforce needs.