Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

05/29/2026

Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College Appoints Elizabeth Manuel as Interim President

MOUNT GAY, WV - Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College (Southern) is pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Manuel as the college’s new Interim President.

Elizabeth A. Manuel has dedicated her career to increasing access to education and advancing student success initiatives throughout West Virginia. Beginning with a focus on economic and workforce development in some of the state’s most rural communities, she has spent more than two decades leading efforts to make higher education accessible, particularly for first-generation and low-income students.

Throughout her more than 25 years of experience, much of Manuel’s work has involved fiscal oversight and management of state and federal grants supporting educational programs and student initiatives. Her expertise includes grassroots community collaboration, securing funding for impactful programs, and expanding educational opportunities for students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

Most recently, Manuel served as a K–12 administrator overseeing student affairs, operational initiatives, and infrastructure development. Before that role, she spent more than 15 years with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, where she held numerous leadership positions.

During her tenure with the Commission, Manuel secured nearly $30 million in funding for student programs across the state, oversaw the system’s Division of Student Affairs, and served as a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet. Earlier in her career, she also held various leadership roles at Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College.

Manuel was named a Council Member for the West Virginia Council for Community & Technical College Education, serving on the coordinating body responsible for administering community and technical college education across the state. In addition, she has served on numerous boards and committees at both the state and national levels.

“Southern has a strong tradition of impacting lives through education,” said Manuel. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our dedicated faculty, staff, students, and community partners as we continue creating opportunities for the people and communities we serve.”

“Together we will continue building on the college’s mission of accessible, affordable, and high-quality education while ensuring our students remain at the center of everything we do,” she added.

She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Marshall University and resides in Logan, West Virginia, where she remains active in her local community.

Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College welcomes Manuel into this leadership role and looks forward to her continued commitment to student success, workforce development, and community engagement across southern West Virginia.

05/27/2026

Southern's June Mining Classes - 80-Hour Underground Mining Class June 1st through June 12th (Monday through Friday), 8 am until 4:30 pm on the Logan campus. Cost is $350. 40-Hour Surface Mining Class June 22nd through June 26th (Monday through Friday), 8 am until 4:30 pm on the Logan campus. Cost is $250. For more information, call 304-896-7272 or email [email protected].

05/27/2026

Southern's July Mining Classes - 80-Hour Underground Mining Class July 6th through July 17th (Monday through Friday), 8 am until 4:30 pm on the Logan campus. Cost is $350. 40-Hour Surface Mining Class July 27th through July 31st (Monday through Friday), 8 am until 4:30 pm on the Logan campus. Cost is $250. For more information, call 304-896-7272 or email [email protected].

05/27/2026

Southern's Lineman Orientation on June 11th, 2pm at the Williamson Armory. This orientation is for anyone interested in enrolling in the upcoming Lineman Fall Cohort. For more information, contact [email protected] or (304) 896-7272.

05/26/2026

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College recruiter Mike Collins attended Friday’s Senior Decision Day event at Logan High School, congratulating students who chose Southern as the place where they’ll discover and develop their superpowers.

05/23/2026

Southern’s Joe Linville presents Scott High School student, Isabella Thompson with a scholarship to attend Southern in the fall. She is enrolled in the Surgical Technology program. The scholarship is for $7,680.00

05/22/2026

Southern Recruiter and Bram Stoker Award®-Winning Author Michael Knost Receives Distinguished West Virginian Award

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Logan County native Mike Collins, known to readers worldwide by his pen name, Bram Stoker Award®-winning author Michael Knost, was honored Wednesday at the West Virginia State Capitol with the Distinguished West Virginian Award, presented by Governor Patrick Morrisey.

“This is not an accolade I hand out lightly,” Governor Morrisey said during the presentation. “This is only the second time I have given this award during my term in office. I believe this recognition is especially meaningful and must be truly earned.”

The presentation ceremony was held in the Governor's Reception Room at the Capitol, where family members, friends, and supporters gathered to celebrate Collins' achievements and contributions to the Mountain State.

“I'm incredibly grateful to Governor Morrisey for this recognition,” Collins said. “I also want to thank Delegate Margitta Mazzocchi and her husband, Eugene, for the nomination, as well as all the family members, friends, and colleagues who attended and made the day so meaningful and memorable.”

The Distinguished West Virginian Award honors those who have contributed significantly to West Virginia or those who have brought positive attention to the state. The award is the highest honor that can be awarded by the Governor, and it distinguishes those who excel in their field and have achieved national recognition, as well as those whose work, leadership, and character bring pride and positive recognition to the Mountain State.

Past recipients of the award include Pearl S. Buck, Jerry West, Don Knotts, Jennifer Garner, and Brad Paisley.

As Michael Knost, Collins is a two-time Bram Stoker Award® winner who has written across multiple genres and edited dozens of anthologies. His Writers Workshop of Horror won the 2009 Bram Stoker Award® in England for Superior Achievement in Non-Fiction, and its sequel, Writers Workshop of Horror 2, received the same honor in Denver in 2021. His Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy is an Amazon #1 bestseller.

Michael was awarded the Horror Writers Association's Silver Hammer Award, and in 2021 he was named the organization's Mentor of the Year. He has also received the prestigious J.U.G. (Just Uncommonly Good) Award from West Virginia Writers, Inc. and was recently inducted into the inaugural class of the Imagination Hall of Fame in July 2025. His latest novel, One-Armed Bandit, is a 2026 Spur Award Finalist.

His novel Return of the Mothman was adapted into a feature film, and he continues teaching writing classes and workshops. Michael lives in Chapmanville, West Virginia, with his wife and daughter.

Caption for Photo:
Pictured, from left to right, are Governor Patrick Morrisey, Mike Collins (Michael Knost), and Delegate Margitta Mazzocchi.

05/20/2026

05/20/2026

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College held its Lineman Graduation on Wednesday at the Armory in Williamson, celebrating the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of this outstanding group of graduates.

Family, friends, instructors, and community members gathered to recognize the students for completing a challenging program that prepares them for careers in the utility and power industries. Throughout their training, these graduates developed the technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and safety skills necessary to enter a demanding and essential profession.

The lineman profession plays a critical role in keeping our communities powered and connected, often requiring long hours and work in difficult conditions. These graduates have shown the determination and commitment needed to succeed in the field, and Southern is proud to have been a part of their journey.

We extend our sincere congratulations to each graduate and wish them continued success as they begin their careers. Thank you to our instructors, staff, families, and supporters who helped make this achievement possible.

Congratulations again to the Lineman Class of 2026!

05/20/2026

Congratulations!
Southern's Joe Linville recently presented Emma Russell of Sherman High School with a scholarship of up to $7,680 for tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 academic year. Thank for choosing Southern. We look forward to seeing you in the fall.