Find Your Path
Welcome Pathfinders!
BridgeValley welcomes students from all walks of life and assists them in achieving their educational goals. At BridgeValley, we understand that there is a scholar in all of us, and we are here to help each of our students nourish that part of themselves. BridgeValley meets the higher education, workforce development, and training needs for industries ranging from healthcare to manufacturing. No matter where your path has led you before, BridgeValley is here to help you determine your path going forward.
History of BridgeValley....
BridgeValley Community and Technical College was formed in 2014 with the merger of Bridgemont and Kanawha Valley Community and Technical Colleges. BridgeValley is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The service region for the multi-campus institution that includes Fayette, Kanawha, Clay, and Putnam counties.
BridgeValley evolved in response to the educational and economic development needs for the State of West Virginia. Associate-level degree programs began in the late 1940s and early 1950s at West Virginia State College and West Virginia Institute of Technology. In the 1960s, each of these colleges created “community college components” on the respective campuses. In 1999, the state legislature created a separate community and technical college system. Community college components hosted by baccalaureate institutions began the process of becoming independent colleges. In 2004, independent accreditation was achieved and the Community and Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology and West Virginia State Community and Technical College were formed.
The new community colleges were asked to change names in 2009 to emphasize their mission and create distinction from the baccalaureate colleges. The Community and Technical College at WVU Tech became Bridgemont Community and Technical College; West Virginia State Community and Technical College became Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College.
During the 2013 legislative session, Senate Bill 438 was passed to consolidate Bridgemont and Kanawha Valley to form a stronger, more comprehensive multi-campus institution for the region. A Board of Governors was appointed to oversee the consolidation; the name BridgeValley was selected to represent the fusion of the institutions.
The official founding date of BridgeValley, March 20, 2014, signifies the completion of all accreditation requirements for the college and the beginning of a new era in community and technical college education for the region.