Elizabeth A. Manuel has dedicated her career to increasing access to education and advancing student success initiatives. Beginning with a focus on economic and workforce development in West Virginia’s most rural communities, she has spent over two decades leading efforts to make higher education accessible, particularly for first-generation and low-income students. Throughout her more than 25 years of experience, much of her work has involved fiscal oversight and management of state and federal grants supporting educational programs and student initiatives. Ms. Manuel’s expertise includes grassroots community collaboration, securing funding for impactful programs, and providing educational opportunities for students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Recently, she served as a K–12 administrator overseeing student affairs, operational initiatives, and infrastructure development. Ms. Manuel held numerous roles with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System for more than 15 years. During her tenure with the Commission, she secured nearly $30 million in funding for student programs across the state, oversaw the system’s Division of Student Affairs, and served as a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet. Prior to that, she held various leadership roles at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. She was named a Council Member for the WV Council for Community & Technical College Education System, where she served as part of the coordinating body responsible for the administration of community and technical college education across the State of West Virginia. Additionally, she has served on various boards and committees across the nation. Ms. Manuel holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Marshall University. She resides in Logan, WV, where she remains active in her local community.