Torie Jackson
Vice President of Institutional Advancement , WVU Parkersburg , and President & CEO , WVU at Parkersburg Foundation
Growing up , Torie Jackson kept charts of constellations above her bed and dreamed of becoming an astronomer . As it turns out , another career path for her seems to have been written in the stars . Jackson , vice president of institutional advancement at West Virginia University ( WVU ) Parkersburg and president and CEO of the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation , has worked in the world of mass communications in some capacity for most of her career .
During her second semester of college , Jackson walked into The Parkersburg News & Sentinel office to ask for a job , and the editor gave her a chance . She set a goal to be a newspaper editor by the time she was 25 , but by that time , she was already a newspaper owner . She later began teaching journalism at WVU Parkersburg and created the curriculum for bachelor ’ s degree options in communication and media studies , a program in which she still teaches as an associate professor .
In her current role , Jackson works every day in the areas of marketing , communication , alumni relations , career services , public relations , experiential learning , scholarships and donor cultivation and stewardship . She also works with 11 high schools in the region on an early college program .
“ I am blessed to participate in so many activities , and I find each day is different and never routine ,” she says . “ In all my tasks , I am able to provide opportunities for people to either begin or continue their educational journey . I can think of no greater job .”
No matter what job she holds or where she may be , Jackson never stops trying to better herself and the world around her , which is what inspires her to give back .
“ I became involved in community service activities years ago because I felt that if I wanted to see a change or see a service provided , I needed to do my part to make it happen ,” she says .
Jackson is a board member for the Children of Promise in Action sports association , which offers soccer and basketball leagues to youth in Ritchie County , and she serves as a board member for the TLC Pregnancy Center of Ritchie County , an organization that offers classes and career assistance to young mothers-to-be .
Just as she finds fulfillment in helping others , Jackson is passionate about opportunities for educational advancement , as she believes involvement is necessary to help improve the state ’ s education system . She is in her fifth year on the Ritchie County Board of Education , and she serves as the co-director of Region V for the West Virginia School Board Association . She is also a member of the Content Standards Training Committee for the West Virginia State Board of Education .
Perhaps the service most near and dear to Jackson is her involvement with the Ritchie County Youth Camp , which she and her husband , Todd , founded more than 10 years ago .
AMANDA LARCH
Jackson at the Juliet Art Museum .
TRACY A . TOLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Each year , Jackson writes a grant to host the camp at no cost to the campers .
“ Knowing the expense of a youth camp , my husband and I decided it was time to lead the way and provide an inexpensive option for youth in our community ,” says Jackson . “ We have up to 130 students attend annually .”
She also finds time to volunteer as general manager and cohost at WPKM 96.3 FM , the college radio station she was instrumental in creating at WVU Parkersburg .
“ In essence , all my community service activities are about providing a voice for others , whether that is through making decisions on a county school board or allowing local radio to air ,” she says .
Jackson is proud to live and work in the Mountain State — and rural Ritchie County , in particular .
“ I spent years working in media and interviewing outsiders who would come to West Virginia ,” she says . “ They always found a bit of Southern charm in West Virginia : a place where people know their neighbors , where communities band together to help one another and where a good work ethic is still found . I love that I can make a difference here . As a friend once told me , ‘ Why be a small fish in a big pond when you can be a shark in a koi pond ?’” •
“ Don ’ t tell me the old lady screamed , just bring her on and let her scream .”
– Mark Twain
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