BUCKHANNON, West Virginia— In furthering its commitment to supporting the local community, the Center for Community Engagement & Leadership Development (CCE) at West Virginia Wesleyan College will host a Community Lab on Youth Engagement Best Practices (YEBP) on Thursday, November 12, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall (3rd Floor of the Benedum Campus Center) on Wesleyan’s campus.

The Community Lab will feature a 90-minute training that overviews the 10 best practices of youth engagement alongside multiple question-and-answer sessions with youth engagement specialists. These strategies will assist individuals, groups, and organizations in creating safe environments and positive experiences for young people. These practices are especially helpful to those working with young people through a project, program, or event. YEBP trainings are an opportunity to approach youth engagement work more intentionally, and participants gain the foundational knowledge needed to cultivate youth engagement practices that are sustainable, human-centered, and focused on creating equitable relationships. 

The training will be presented by Wesleyan alumnae Erin Hudnall ‘16 and Arin Shatto ‘19 of Glimmer Collaborative, LLC.  The training is open to CCE community partners, WVWC students (including Wesleyan Service Scholars), and businesses across the Buckhannon–Upshur region interested in strengthening their connection to youth in our community and building space for future generations to invest in our community. 

Participants will leave with practical tools, actionable insights, and best practices that can be applied to real-world challenges. The Community Lab format emphasizes learning, dialogue, and shared problem-solving, creating space for participants to build capacity while connecting with peers across campus and the broader community.

CCE’s Community Lab series supports the Center’s mission to advance West Virginia Wesleyan College’s commitment to transformative learning and community engagement that promotes positive social change.

CCE Community Labs are free and open to the public. Community members, partners, and students are encouraged to attend. If you have other topics you desire to see addressed in future Community Labs, please reach out and share with the CCE.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for 136 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2027 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan 4th in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and counseling; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.