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Leading the Change: How Marshall University is Navigating the Future of Education
In a rapidly changing world, higher education is faced with unprecedented challenges. The way we learn and prepare for the future is being reshaped by technological advances and shifting societal needs in what can sometimes feel like an unpredictable global landscape. Marshall University recognizes these challenges and is embracing this transformation with a steadfast commitment to its students and its community.
Brad D. Smith, Marshall’s president and a proud West Virginia native, has long championed the belief that education is the key to unlocking opportunity, especially in underserved regions like Appalachia. Under his leadership, Marshall University has taken bold steps to ensure its students are not only prepared for today’s workforce but are equipped with the skills to succeed in tomorrow’s world—a world where the jobs they eventually take may not even exist yet.
Supporting the Future of Our Students
Marshall University is leading the charge when it comes to adapting to the evolving demands of education and the nuanced skills the current workforce demands. Today’s students need more than just basic skills. They must develop a mindset of continuous learning, creativity, and above all else, adaptability. Recognizing this need, Marshall has developed programs that focus on both the practical and conceptual skills students need to succeed. From medical and STEM-based learning paths to entrepreneurial initiatives, Marshall is cultivating an environment that encourages students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and solve problems in new and innovative ways.
“We are preparing our students for a world that is constantly changing and that requires us to change with it,” Brad said. This vision has guided the expansion of both the Brad D. Smith Student Incubator and the university’s Innovation District, places in which both students and community members alike can nurture their skills and entrepreneurial spirit.
Increasing Access and Affordability
Access to education remains a cornerstone of Marshall’s mission. In his role as Marshall’s President and through his own philanthropic work, Brad has worked tirelessly to reduce financial barriers for students across the region. The university’s Metro tuition program, a plan that offers in-state tuition to those living within a 100-mile radius of Huntington, now extends to 59 counties in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. In addition to this, he has also spearheaded the Marshall for All, Marshall Forever plan, which aims to help students graduate debt-free. These are just a few examples of how Brad, and Marshall University as a whole, are working to make higher education more accessible for students in Appalachia.
“My ‘why’ is to level the playing field in West Virginia and in Appalachia and to invest in those who have invested in me. I see Marshall University and the education that it offers as the great equalizer,” Brad said.
He has made it his mission to prioritize students—especially those from historically underserved communities—by creating clear paths to pursue their dreams without the burden of financial struggle. In an ongoing effort to support students with the tools they need to succeed, Marshall University has expanded its educational pathways in several ways, including:
The Cabell Commitment Plan
In partnership with Cabell County Schools, the Cabell Commitment automatically admits high school graduates with a 2.5 GPA or higher to Marshall University. This program works to remove barriers to higher education for local students throughout the region.
The Marshall Skills Exchange Micro-Credentials Program
The Marshall Skills Exchange Program offers courses and “micro-credentials” to students that align with specific employment opportunities tailored to their unique interests. Made possible by a $400,000 grant and matching funds from local employers, this program aligns with Brad’s strategic vision for Marshall for All, Marshall Forever, by offering in-demand, on-demand learning.
The Lifelong Learning Program (LLP)
The Lifelong Learning Program (LLP) was launched in April 2018 to give members of the community an avenue to continue their education and passion for learning through Marshall University events, LLP short courses, volunteer opportunities, guest speakers (Tuesday Talks), day trips, and access to Marshall University resources. The LLP, in addition to the Marshall Skills Exchange, works to motivate individuals in the community to pursue learning and personal development.
The School of Nursing Expansion
The expansion of The School of Nursing to the South Charleston campus addressed the growing shortage of trained nurses throughout the state. This move has allowed the school to now admit five additional undergraduate B.S.N. students each year, focusing on the future of work and securing jobs for tomorrow’s workforce.
The B.S./M.D. Program
Established in 2015, the B.S./M.D. Program is a pathway for high-performing West Virginia students to finish both their Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees in seven years. Through this program, students who complete their undergraduate requirements are automatically admitted to medical school and receive a tuition waiver for the medical school portion of their track of choice.
The Innovation Catalyst Program
A first-of-its-kind program, the Innovation Catalyst program aims to train the educational community in design thinking—catalyzing innovations to advance Marshall For All, Marshall Forever’s strategic priorities of improving student achievement, affordability, and flexibility.
Modeled after the Innovation Catalyst program at Intuit, where Brad served as CEO and chairman for 11 years, the program teaches techniques designed to help solve problems in agile and future-forward ways in what is known as Design for Delight (D4D) thinking. By empowering faculty and staff, the program aims to transform how students navigate the fast-changing landscape of work today.
A Commitment to Inspiring Change Through Lifelong Learning
One of the greatest challenges facing higher education today is preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist. At Marshall, Brad is working to instill in all students that the key to future success is cultivating a lifelong passion for learning and the ability to adapt without fear.
By investing in K-12 STEM initiatives and scholarship opportunities for first-generation college students, he encourages them to believe that a truly vibrant future is possible, endeavoring to inspire a love of learning in them early on. Not only is Marshall preparing students for their first jobs, but through these powerful initiatives, students are now being equipped with the resilience and adaptability they need to pivot and thrive no matter what is thrown at them.
In addition to advancing educational initiatives throughout Appalachia, his philanthropic efforts through the Wing 2 Wing Foundation further underscore his commitment to expanding and developing the brightest minds of the next generation. Programs that foster connections, such as Ascend WV, and the retention of recent West Virginia graduates, like First Ascent, cultivate a culture of unparalleled community and support, creating a strong foundation from which all West Virginians can benefit.
Embracing the Evolution
As this increasingly digital world continues to evolve, the institutions that built it must grow as well. Thanks to the steadfast commitment of leadership and community support, West Virginia continues to be at the forefront of change, working every day to provide both its students and its residents with the tools and resources they need to flourish in an ever-changing world.
Brad’s vision is to ensure that every student is given the opportunity to pursue their dreams with confidence. Marshall is embracing the future with a spirit of innovation, inclusion, and resilience—characteristics that have long defined both the university and the state of West Virginia.
“We are built out of grit, and we are built out of grace,” Brad said. “So fall in love with the problem. If you fail, get up, dust yourself off, and keep going, because we were born to be leaders.”