The Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation recognizes Elizabeth Testerman (’06), a Human Resources Consultant for American Electric Power/Appalachian Power Company, as recipient of its 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award. For the past two years, Testerman has volunteered as a mentor and community advocate for Virginia Western’s Women in STEM Mentoring Program.
“Elizabeth has made an indelible impact on student lives, and has bolstered the program into a fully realized vision of student support,” said Dr. Robert H. Sandel, president of Virginia Western Community College.
Virginia Western’s Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 2006 by the Virginia Western Alumni Association and recognizes Virginia Western Community College alumni and former students who have attained extraordinary distinction in their professional field or life. The award serves to honor all the men and women whose attendance at Virginia Western helped them achieve their educational and professional goals, allowing them to better serve their communities.
Testerman received her Associate of Applied Science in Management from Virginia Western Community College in 2006. She also received a Bachelor Science in Organizational Management and Leadership from Bluefield College in 2007 (accelerated).
At AEP, Testerman is the primary and direct support contact for all HR functions for multiple business units and locations. Testerman started her tenure at AEP almost 12 years ago, with 11 years of that service in Human Resources.
Testerman said she was motivated to get involved with Virginia Western as an alumnus because she had “amazing teachers who kept pressing me to move even further with my education. The belief that they had in me led to the determination that I had in myself.”
She remains an active volunteer with Virginia Western’s Women in STEM Mentoring Program, which aims to provide a supportive environment for students pursuing an education in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The initiative taps community mentors to assist female students and special populations in professional matters and to provide them career-networking opportunities.
Testerman said the mentors in her life inspired her to seek out opportunities to help other. “I love my job but my mind kept going back on a regular basis to all the people who had believed in me through the years, and I knew I needed to do more for myself and others,” she said. “I was determined to be that someone who believed and coached others toward their own career and success.”
Testerman, a Roanoke County resident, will be recognized for her contributions and impact at an upcoming event on campus hosted by the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation.
For more information on the Virginia Western Alumni Association, see virginiawestern.edu/alumni or contact Donor Relations Coordinator Amanda Mansfield at [email protected] or (540) 857-6962.
Prior Distinguished Alumni honorees:
2017 – Dr. Carol Swain (’78)
2016 – Dr. Mary Loritsch (’74) and Chief Michael Crawley
2015 – Debbie Yancey (’97)
2014 – Chief Craig S. Harris (’00) and J. David Wine (’73)
2013 – Cheryl Cunningham (’86)
2012 – Anne Hogan (’76)
2011 – Carolyn Webster (’81)
2010 – Russell H. Ellis (’80)
2009 – Shirl D. Lamanca (’75) and Dennis R. Cronk (’72)
2008 – Donna L. Mitchell (’81)
2007 – Dr. Kent A. Murphy and Charlotte C. Tyson (’84)
2006 – John B. Williamson III (’75)
