Dr. J. Paige Carney has been named interim provost and vice president for academic affairs for West Virginia State University (WVSU) effective immediately.
Carney has served as dean of the College of Professional Studies since 2015, in addition to serving as interim associate provost for WVSU since fall 2020.
Under her leadership as dean of the College of Professional Studies, several of the college’s programs, including criminal justice, education, health and human performance, and social work have achieved national recognition. The college also oversees the university’s storied Military Science (ROTC) program. In fall 2020 the college also launched a new bachelor of science in nursing degree program.
“I have worked with President Nicole Pride since her arrival at the university last fall and see her as a strong leader who cares deeply about the university,” said Carney. “I look forward to working with her and her leadership team to achieve the university’s mission of advancing knowledge through access and opportunity, innovative teaching and learning, interdisciplinary research, and impactful service.”
Since 2011, Carney has been a professor of education at WVSU and also previously served as the director of clinical experiences. She has also served as counselor to Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education. Carney previously taught at WVSU from 1996 through 2004 as an associate professor of education.
In addition to her work at WVSU, Carney was chair of the education program and an associate professor of education at the University of Charleston from 2007 through May 2011, as well as an associate professor of education at Eastern Kentucky University from 2004 through 2005. She has also served as an Adjunct Professor with the Marshall University Graduate College.
Carney has also served as the external facilitator for reading for Kanawha County Schools from 2000 through 2004. From 2005 through 2010 she worked as a lecturer and researcher for the University of Kentucky serving as Kentucky’s principal investigator for Reading First, analyzing effective reading achievement and research-based instruction. She also worked as a kindergarten teacher from 1984 through 1992 in the Fayette County, Kentucky, Public School System.
Carney has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including twice being named Kanawha County’s Reading Association Teacher of the Year for College Educators Award.
Carney received her doctorate degree from the University of Kentucky, and her master’s degree from Georgetown College. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina.
