Marshall University President Brad Smith and West Virginia Fusion Center staff
Initiative to Create Career Pathways for Marshall Students
Charleston, W.Va. — Marshall University President Brad D. Smith joined West Virginia Department of Homeland Security (WV DHS) Sec. Jeff Sandy yesterday, Jan. 24, to launch an initiative to put Marshall college students to work within the department’s agencies.
Sandy said the program provides opportunity for cooperative synergy.
“We are excited to announce, here at the Fusion Center where we have many Marshall graduates working, that we are collaborating to provide eligible students with hands-on, paid learning opportunities while also filling open positions across our department,” Sandy said. “Working under the leadership of Gov. Jim Justice and working in concert with President Smith, we have developed an innovative program to place students into jobs and hopefully create career pathways to keep them here after graduation.”
The partnership provides selected Marshall University students with an hourly rate of $16.00 and flexible hours, with the ability to work full-time during breaks and summers. Some of the available positions include human resources, purchasing, case manager, counselor, GIS technician, emergency services specialist, data analyst, public relations and fleet management.
“I want to thank Secretary Sandy for this innovative partnership and shared commitment to advancing amazing opportunities for both our students and our state,” Smith said. “This shared vision is a win-win for West Virginia — a win for Marshall to place our students into real-life jobs that could possibly turn into lifelong careers and a win for our State to get talent into open positions.”
Marshall students who are interested in this opportunity can learn more by contacting April Darnel, Assistant Director for Human Resources for WV DHS at 304-352-0189 or april.m.darnell@wv.gov or Rodney Sanders with Marshall’s Office of Career at 304-696-6051 or sanders28@marshall.edu.
About the initiative
This partnership welcomes Marshall University students majoring in a variety of fields including, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Cyber Forensics and Security, Digital Forensics, Economics, Engineering, Finance, Forensic Analytical Chemistry, General Business, Geographic Information Science, Health and Wellness, Information Systems, Journalism, Law Enforcement, Marketing, Medical Imaging, Military Science, Nursing, Psychology, Public Communications, Public Relations, Social Work, Sociology, Special Education, Statistics, Thermodynamics, or Web Development.
The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security comprises multiple agencies. The following agencies are currently participating in this joint partnership, Division of Administrative Services, West Virginia Fusion Center, Division of Emergency Management, Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the State Fire Marshal.
Students accepted into the program have the opportunity to work with the Department of Homeland Security in the fields of Asset and Fleet Management, Fiscal Operations, Correctional Officers, Case Manager/Counselor, Emergency Services Specialist, Homeland Security Training and Exercise Coordinator, Assistant Fire Marshal Intern, Office Assistant Intern, Regulatory and Licensing Intern, Public Information Intern, and Data Analyst Intern, among other positions.