Kelsey Staggers, a Fairmont native and two-time WVU graduate, will join the University as the director of corporate relations and strategic engagement on Aug. 17.
Succeeding longtime Director Jack Thompson, who moved to a similar role in the WVU Innovation Corporation, Staggers will report to Vice President of Government Relations and Strategic Affairs Travis Mollohan.
“I am pleased to welcome Kelsey to the team,” Mollohan said.
“Her experience will be invaluable to students, faculty, staff, University leaders, and community partners as we look for ways to enhance partnerships with business and industry, fulfill our land-grant mission of service to West Virginia, and make it a better place to live and work.”
For the past six years, Staggers led efforts to attract and retain businesses, develop strategic partnerships statewide, and manage key state tax incentives as a business development manager with the West Virginia Division of Economic Development. She also served as a communications project manager.
Additionally, she served as a community outreach coordinator for Fairmont Regional Medical Center.
“Through my work in statewide business development, I have seen the direct impact that collaboration with WVU can have on a company’s success,” Staggers said.
“I am excited to strengthen those relationships and build new ones that advance the University’s mission and support economic growth across West Virginia.”
Staggers earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations in 2016 and a master’s degree in public administration in 2018 from WVU.