About Concord University
For more than 150 years, Concord University has served the southern region of West Virginia, southwest Virginia and beyond, educating teachers, business leaders, scientists, social workers, as well as future medical and legal professionals. With a 14:1 student to faculty ratio and over 70 programs of study, Concord provides you with a quality education no matter what you choose.
Featured Stories
Draper, VA
After graduating from Concord with a degree in Business Administration—emphasis in Administrative Systems and Management—Carli worked in admissions at New River Community College in Dublin, VA and then took a position as an administrative assistant in the Department of Art and Sciences. Currently, she works with first and second year students at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, VA. Concord played an important role in Carli’s life after graduation, providing her knowledge she took into the workforce. “Concord helped me by giving me valuable life lessons, experiences, and knowledge to be successful,” Carli says. “Most importantly, I made connections and friendships that have been so valuable and rewarding for my life.”
Carli Dotson '16
Draper, VA
Kelsey Walls '18
Oceana, WV
Dr. Joan Pendergast
Chair, Department of Social Work and Title IX Coordinator
Summer McElwain
Class of 2021
Chair, Department of Social Work and Title IX Coordinator
When Dr. Pendergast was finishing her Ph.D. in Social Work Education at the University of South Carolina, she dreamed of teaching at a school like Concord. “I have wanted to live in the mountains for as long as I can remember,” she says. In 2007, she accepted a tenure-track position at CU and has found a home here. “The campus community is welcoming and accepting,” she says. Before completing her doctoral degree, Dr. Pendergast was a practicing social worker, valuable experience she shares with her students. “When I speak with students about social work, I explain that this is the best job and worst job you can have,” she says. “It’s very rewarding to see how people can change their lives, and it can be discouraging when these changes do not come.” Dr. Pendergast is dedicated to preparing her students for the realities they’ll face after graduation, and says she enjoys “being a small part of their journey.”
