ISSUED: 29 May 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV —
Shepherd University will welcome three of the 2025 West Virginia Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars to campus this fall.
The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program helps address teacher shortages in math, science, special education, and elementary education by offering scholarships to high-achieving West Virginia high school seniors and recent graduates who commit to teaching in one of those areas.
Caelyn Bartley, of Berkeley Springs; Madison Sherman, of Fisher; and Grace Martin, of Petersburg, will study elementary education this fall at Shepherd University’s School of Education.
In total, 24 students from across the state were selected this year to receive scholarships of up to $10,000 per year to support their pursuit of teaching degrees.
“This is West Virginia’s preeminent scholarship that is helping produce new generations of outstanding teachers who are eager to make a difference in their hometowns and in the Mountain State,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s chancellor of higher education. “We now have about 150 scholars pursuing their teaching careers right here at home, and we want them to know how important they are to the future of this great state.”
This is the sixth cohort of Underwood-Smith scholars.
As part of the scholarship, students agree to teach in West Virginia for five years following graduation.
Scholar highlights will be featured throughout the month of July on the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Facebook page.
Interested in a career in education? Consider applying to Shepherd University. Learn more at www.shepherd.edu/apply/.
Additional 2025 Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars
- Haylee Chapman from Cabell Midland High School will be studying math at Marshall University.
- Molli Taylor from East Fairmont High School will be studying special education at Fairmont State University.
- Jenna Groves from Greenbrier East High School will be studying math at Concord University.
- Donavin Penn from Greenbrier East High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.
- Abigail Lynch from Midland Trail High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.
- Julia Oliverio from Morgantown High School will be studying math at West Virginia University.
- Amelia Morgan from North Marion High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.
- Kailyn Humphrey from Oak Hill High School will be studying elementary education at Concord University.
- Sydney Davis from Parkersburg High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.
- Audrey Mongold from Petersburg High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.
- Lucas Posey from Philip Barbour High School will be studying math at West Virginia University.
- Miranda Gum from Pocahontas County High School will be studying elementary education at Glenville State University.
- Elizabeth Handley from Point Pleasant High School will be studying elementary education at Marshall University.
- Lukas Herrell from Sherman High School will be studying math at West Virginia State University.
- Mary Morrison from St. Marys High School will be studying elementary education at WVU at Parkersburg.
- Joshua Copley from Tug Valley High School will be studying science at Marshall University.
- Carley Bryan from University High School will be studying elementary education at Fairmont State University.
- Madalyn Brown from Westside High School will be studying elementary education at Concord University.
- Ciera Faulstick from Wheeling Park High School will be studying elementary education at Wheeling Park High School.
- Abigail Howard from Wheeling Park High School will be studying elementary education at West Virginia University.
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