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Torie Jackson
President, West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Written by Samantha Cart
Photo by James Dobbs.
When Torie Jackson was young, her father lost his job during a company strike.
“ I understood very clearly he didn’ t have much to fall back on without an education to support him,” she says.“ At that point, I became determined that education was going to be important to me.”
After pursuing a degree in journalism, Jackson spent years working in media, eventually becoming co-owner of a local newspaper. As an employer, she grew frustrated with the gaps in skill sets among applicants but decided to become part of the solution rather than complain.
“ I pursued my master’ s degree to teach at the college level,” she says.“ From there, I moved through the ranks— faculty
member, division chair, vice president and chief operating officer. It has been a steady climb built on purpose and preparation.”
Today, Jackson serves as the president of West Virginia University( WVU) at Parkersburg.
“ I have the best job in West Virginia: leading a community college that is both innovative and entrepreneurial,” she says.
102 WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE