The Joint Education Committee met this morning to hear about the Underwood Smith Teaching Scholarship’s success. This stackable scholarship is the most competitive in the state and provides up to $40,000 to high school students in WV who aspire to become teachers. To be awarded the scholarship, students must agree to work in the state five years after completion of their degree and teach in an in-demand field.
Since 2020, 25 students are selected each year, and there are currently 42 scholars teaching in the classroom. In 2024, 111 eligible applicants not awarded and 94 were awarded and enrolled in WV public institutions. In 2025, there were 220 applicants with 167 ineligible applicants, and 118 enrolled at WV public institutions. Currently, 57 Underwood-Smith Scholars have graduated, and 42 are now teaching in WV classrooms; 8 graduates have also earned a master’s degree in education. The 42 scholars are working in 22 different counties.
Next, the committee heard about ReshoreWV, a new organization with a focus on bringing manufacturing back to the state and reducing out-of-country imports. The organization is partnering with the WV Manufacturing Association, the WVHEPC, and schools around the state to introduce students to the thousands of manufacturers in WV through a course that will be offered at WVU. ReshoreWV is hoping to expand access to the course. The Manufacturing Association will be working to get legislation passed in 2027 to provide a tax credit for businesses that replace imported goods.
