Shepherd University Tuition Discount Opens Doors for Jefferson and Berkeley County Employees

ISSUED: 8 July 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - Shepherd University is expanding educational opportunities for local public employees through a new pilot tuition discount initiative for full-time Jefferson and Berkeley County employees during the 2026-2027 academic year.

Through the program, eligible employees pursuing undergraduate degrees will receive a 20% tuition discount, while graduate students will receive a 10% tuition discount on eligible coursework. The initiative is designed to help working professionals advance their education, strengthen their professional skills, and pursue their career goals while continuing to serve their local community.

"As the public university of the Eastern Panhandle, Shepherd University is committed to creating pathways that make higher education more accessible for the people who live and work in our region," said Jack DeRochi, Shepherd's provost and vice president of academic affairs. "County employees provide essential services that strengthen our communities every day. This partnership is one way we can invest in their continued growth and professional development."

Among the educational opportunities available through the tuition discount is Shepherd University's Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) program, which is specifically designed for adult learners and nontraditional students returning to college. The program recognizes prior college coursework as well as eligible workplace training, military experience, and experiential learning, allowing students to build on knowledge and skills they have already acquired throughout their careers.

"Many adults have accumulated valuable experience and college credits over the years but never had the opportunity to finish a degree," said DeRochi. "The RBA program helps students turn those experiences into academic progress and reach goals that may have once seemed out of reach."

The tuition discount initiative will benefit both employees and the broader community by strengthening the regional workforce, supporting career advancement, and expanding access to higher education throughout the Eastern Panhandle.

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