The West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is investing in a new career development program for undergraduate students, and has recruited a talented individual to lead the effort: Bonnie McBee Fisher.
“I’m very excited to be part of the Eberly College’s effort to transform its undergraduate learning environment,” Fisher said. “The critical student services that we will be developing are anticipated to dramatically assist new graduates with post baccalaureate transitions.”
The broad goal of the initiative, tied directly to the Eberly College’s 2020 Strategic Plan, will enrich students’ undergraduate study through the participation in experiential opportunities. The College will initially focus on increasing student involvement in internships, which are very powerful and important experiences, often leading directly to jobs immediately after graduation.
“The initiative will also track and grow other out-of-the-classroom experiences, including service learning, study abroad, teaching, research and others,” Dean Robert Jones said. “Experiences such as these not only deepen learning, they also grow appreciation for how learning can be tied to careers. Our goal is to have 100 percent of Eberly College majors involved in at least one experiential learning program by 2020.”
Fisher will build new external connections to expand the number of internship opportunities for Eberly students and other learning venues including research opportunities, teaching practicums and study abroad.
“Bonnie knows all of the college’s programs and most of the faculty, and has cultivated many relationships with alumni and friends of the college, many of whom have an interest in providing education opportunities for our student interns,” Dean Jones said.
Fisher is the former director of development for the Eberly College. In that role, she assisted the college in raising more than $40 million in support of student scholarships and college programs. Prior to her work with the Eberly College, Fisher was the director of development for the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. She received her bachelor’s and master’s in history from WVU in 1983 and 1986, respectively.
Alumni and friends can contact Bonnie Fisher at 304-293-9208 or via e-mail at Bonnie.Fisher@mail.wvu.edu, to establish partnership opportunities with the College.
