EdD, 2019 Phil Klein is the vice president of economic and workforce development at West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) with campuses in Wheeling, Weirton, and New Martinsville. He is charged with expanding the College’s Workforce Development Program, overseeing current offerings, and outreach through the Community Education offerings. He had previously served as the inaugural Dean of the School of Health and Public Safety at South Piedmont Community College in North Carolina. In this role, he oversaw both credit and non-credit programs and works closely with members of Union and Anson County’s Health and Public Safety communities. Klein spent the early part of his career working in public service as a firefighter/paramedic. He began his transition into higher education as an adjunct instructor while still employed as a career firefighter. In 2012, he was tasked to create a paramedic education program at Chattahoochee Technical College when he accepted the position of Emergency Medical Services Program Director. He has worked as a dean and an associate vice president but enjoys his current role most because he can directly make an impact on student success. While working full-time, Klein earned an associate degree in liberal arts from Nassau Community College, a bachelor’s degree in political science from CUNY Queens, and a master’s degree in public administration from Kaplan University.