Latest Headlines
Mountaineer Spotlight
Learn more about West Virginia University students, faculty and staff.
WVUToday on the radio
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day radio spot - January 8, 2026
Transcript
Shauna Johnson: This is West Virginia University. To mark National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we'd like to introduce you to two officers with the WVU Police Department, starting with Sgt. Mark Vero.
Mark Vero: Well, not only do we have to enforce state and local laws, we have our own campus policies that we have to enforce to the students as well.
Shauna Johnson: First hired in 2020, Sgt. Vero left university police in 2022 before returning two years later. He was recently promoted to a supervisory role. What does he like best about being a police officer?
Mark Vero: It's the camaraderie with people you work with and being able to hopefully make a positive impact in someone's life.
Jaden Leftwich: Hi, I'm Officer Jaden Leftwich, and I'm from Huntington, West Virginia.
Shauna Johnson: A WVU graduate with a degree in criminology, Officer Leftwich first saw positive interactions between UPD officers and students during his time as a student, when he originally started out wanting to be an athletic trainer.
Jaden Leftwich: Went and did schooling for that and realized it wasn't the field I was meant to be in. I'm more of a people person. With this job, I have the ability to help people when they're in need, and I feel like that was a calling I've always had within me. So I gave it a shot and here we are.
Shauna Johnson: Officer Leftwich says he likes UPD's community-oriented approach.
Jaden Leftwich: Best part of my job is being able to be there for people when they need somebody to be there. Having been a former student, I understand that college is overwhelming sometimes, especially when you're away from home. I get that aspect. And being able to relate with some of the students on that level is pretty cool.
Shauna Johnson: His advice to members of the university community?
Jaden Leftwich: You don't have to always call us when you're having a bad day. We're always available. Being able to be human behind the badge is one of the biggest things that I preach, and being able to show that is pretty important to me.
Shauna Johnson: Sgt. Vero agrees.
Mark Vero: We're here to help the students in the best ways possible. We're not here to get them in trouble. We're just here to hope... hopefully they have a nice, safe four years here at school.
Shauna Johnson: Overseeing the department is Chief Sherry St. Clair. To Chief St. Clair, Sgt. Vero, Officer Leftwich, and everyone with the WVU Police Department, the university community says thank you. So, let's go. Follow our stories at wvutoday.wvu.edu.
Additional News and Information
WVU Experts
West Virginia University experts can provide commentary, insights and opinions on various news topics.
Latest Expert Pitch
A West Virginia University electrical engineer and geologist say the solutions for homes and businesses now struggling with utility bills and facing the prospect of losing heat if ice storms or increased demand for power bring down the electric grid already exist, ranging from AI-assisted grid management to geothermal heat pumps.
Search for a WVUToday expert
Research at WVU
When it comes to self-control, adolescents tend to follow the patterns their parents establish, according to West Virginia University psychology researcher Amy Gentzler who led a six-month survey of more than 200 Appalachian adolescents and their parents.
West Virginia University contributes to and supports The Conversation, an international news source that seeks out academics to provide independent, high quality, authenticated, explanatory journalism to promote better understanding of current affairs and complex issues.
Read StoriesAdditional Resources
About
WVUToday is the source for news and information regarding West Virginia University.
Media Outlets: Please be advised that content available on WVUToday is intended for publication. West Virginia University grants editorial usage for print and digital media. Credit should be given to the WVU Office of Strategic Communications.
Contact
Call 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest WVU news and information.
Office of Strategic Communications
West Virginia University
2nd Floor Marina Tower, 48 Donley St.
P.O. Box 6688, Morgantown, WV 26506-6688
304-293-6997