ISSUED: 31 March 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University’s dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics has been named by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to serve on the Science and Research Council of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Dr. Colleen Nolan will serve a term ending June 30, 2018.
The Science and Research Council works to increase the capacity of West Virginia and its colleges and universities to attract, implement, and use cutting-edge, competitive research funds and infrastructure. Members of the council provide expertise and policy guidance on federal and state programs including EPSCoR, the West Virginia Research Trust Fund, and the Research Challenge Fund.
A letter from Tomblin states, “You are a valuable asset to the board as it makes decisions that will improve the lives of all West Virginians. We take enormous pride in our state, which is demonstrated by the number of citizens like you who dedicate their time and energy to public service.”
Nolan, who’s own research has primarily been in reproductive endocrinology, said she’s excited to be appointed to the council, which has a mission of enhancing science and research activities in the state, and considers it a great honor.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for Shepherd and for the Eastern Panhandle, and it really will give me a chance to do what I like to do and that’s have a broader reach and a greater impact,” she said. “Not only is it a wonderful opportunity for me to help members of the Eastern Panhandle community, the community colleges, and the four-year colleges, but also to let people know about the good things we do at Shepherd.”
Nolan hopes serving on the council board will help pave the way for more collaboration between colleges and communities in the Eastern Panhandle and the rest of the state.
“I’m hoping to be able to talk about some of our needs and some of our successes and how if we can advance certain initiatives in our part of the state, they will have a benefit in other parts of the state. Or if we can take things that have been done at Marshall or WVU and adapt them to what we’re doing here in the Eastern Panhandle, it will help that population that we serve here.”
Listen to the interview HERE.
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