In a move that’s more about collaboration than competition, Marshall University and Fairmont State University have announced a new partnership aimed at expanding academic and career opportunities for students—and giving them more reasons to build their futures in West Virginia.
Marshall President Brad Smith says the alliance is the result of ongoing efforts to work more closely with West Virginia University and follows a series of conversations with Fairmont State President Mike Davis. The goal: create stronger educational pathways that align with job opportunities across the state.
“We’ve spent time together on panels and in conversations with our academic teams, all focused on how we can help grow West Virginia’s economy and raise the tide for everyone here,” Smith recently said on WAJR’s Talk of the Town.
The partnership focuses on six key areas critical to modern economic development—cybersecurity, health care, manufacturing, and energy among them. The goal is to attract industries to the state while also preparing students for meaningful careers without having to leave home.
“We want students—like those recognized at the Model United Nations Conference—to find jobs in cybersecurity, aviation, and other fields here in West Virginia,” Smith said. “That way, they can make a global impact while staying in the place they love.”
Cost is often a barrier to higher education, and both universities have taken steps to make college more affordable. Special tuition rates have been introduced for certain out-of-state students, and those changes are already paying off in increased interest and enrollment.
“This partnership helps us reach students who dream of staying in West Virginia or Appalachia while pursuing a quality education,” Smith added.
The schools offer a wide range of programs in cybersecurity, aviation, and health care—from certificates to advanced degrees. The collaboration ensures that credits transfer smoothly, so students can begin at Fairmont State and move seamlessly to Marshall for more advanced studies.
“It’s a solid, seamless process,” Smith said. “Students can easily build on what they’ve started and move up the pay scale with higher qualifications.”
In addition to classroom learning, both schools are committed to giving students hands-on experience. That includes co-ops, internships, and work-study programs, all designed to prepare students for the real world while earning their degrees.
“Mike Davis and the Fairmont State team are just as committed as we are,” Smith said. “We’re working closely with businesses in West Virginia and across the country to give our students real-world experience.”
With this new partnership, Marshall and Fairmont State are making higher education more accessible, more connected to the job market, and more rooted in keeping young talent right here in West Virginia.
