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
Assistant Professor/Training Manager
Dr. Samantha Byrd began at Concord as an adjunct professor in the Masters of Social Work program in 2020, and was advanced to a full-time position in 2022. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Concord in 2016, and her Masters of Social Work degree in 2018, also from Concord. She went on to the University of Kentucky to earn her Doctor of Social Work degree in 2023. Dr. Byrd has practice experience in child and adolescent mental health, grant management, and foster parent training. She is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) interventions. In addition to teaching, Samantha volunteers in the counseling center at Concord, and provides community service in various ways. She founded and manages a foster closet and foster parent support group, and serves on the board of directors for Child Protect of Mercer County. She says of her most memorable experience at CU, “Since starting in academia, I have had the pleasure of working in different capacities with some of the professors and mentors I had during my time as a student at CU. It is incredible to see how everyone comes together behind the scenes to support students in various ways.”
Dr. Samantha Byrd, DSW, MSW, LGSW, '16 '18
Assistant Professor/Training Manager
Dr. George Williams '11
Assistant Professor of English / Director of Veteran Services
Shannon Phipps
Nursing Major with Psychology Minor
Amy Walker '12
PA Admissions Coordinator
Princeton, WV
Not only was Concord close to home for Hannah, but due to the reputation of the university’s commitment to providing extensive scholarship opportunities for students it attracted her to Concord even more. She emphasizes that one of the best parts of the campus is the community of diverse people. While getting to meet people from all over the world during her time on campus, Concord has shown her that although we are all different, we still come together as one people. Majoring in Chemistry with the chosen route being the 3+1 pre-pharmacy plan, Hannah has always wanted to work in the medical field while being behind the scenes in some way. She is involved on campus with the Bonner Scholars Program as well as the Appalachian Leadership Education Foundation. “I would encourage a new student to come to Concord because you will get opportunities to meet new people, learn new things through picking one of the many options to study, and become a part of the comforting atmosphere created by students and faculty.”
