BridgeValley History

The BridgeValley Community and Technical College Foundation, Inc., a 501(c) (3) organization, promotes the academic excellence, growth, progress, and general welfare of BridgeValley Community and Technical College by raising funds and providing support to strengthen and develop the College and its objectives.  The Foundation is governed by a committed board of up to 12 community leaders that donate their time, talent, and resources to advancing the mission of BridgeValley Community and Technical College and supporting its students.

Currently, the Foundation manages just over $2 million in assets.  The majority of these resources are devoted to supporting BridgeValley students who may not otherwise be able to attend college and funding academic programs aimed at supporting economic growth in our community. 

We provide resources - financial and professional - to enhance scholarship opportunities, provide growth opportunities, and support programs at BridgeValley Community and Technical College. We are committed to expanding access and affordability for all students. We believe the work of the Foundation enhances the lives of community members, the quality of the College, and the communities it serves.

Education Leader

BridgeValley sees a need and meets it...

In 2023 BridgeValley was awarded an Appalachian Regional Commission Grant, Powering Prosperity, valued at more than $1,400,000, that will be used to strengthen the skilled labor workforce needed to deploy infrastructure projects throughout southern West Virginia.
 
In 2023, BridgeValley Community & Technical College (BVCTC) was awarded a grant of $1,150,987 to invest in education and skills training for jobs in green technology, improving opportunities for our community. The grant will be provided under the EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs. The grant funds the WV Green Tech Jobs project, a generational opportunity to address poverty, career mobility, and equity in central West Virginia. It presents BVCTC with an opportunity to improve the skills and income of the resident population, particularly in regions impacted by layoffs in coal mining and other legacy industries.
 
In 2023, BridgeValley Community and Technical College introduced the Workforce INitiative Academy – WIN Academy. It is the Kanawha Valley’s newest charter high school, and it provides an accelerated nursing degree program for up to 120 high school juniors and seniors.
 
In 2023 the US Department of Labor awarded BridgeValley, WVUP, and Southern a grant, Strengthening Community Colleges – Nursing Pathways, worth $6M to help provide accelerated learning strategies to support skill development, rapid reskilling, and employment in targeted industry sectors
 
In 2022, BridgeValley Community and Technical College was awarded over $3,000,000 and expanded its nursing program to address the shortage of nurses in the state of West Virginia. The Booker T. Washington Health Wing, located on the South Charleston campus, houses multiple simulation labs, an assessment lab, a nurses’ station, a general classroom, and office space. After a three-year project completion, BridgeValley will expand the capability of the BVCTC School of Nursing from 180 students annually to 424, more than doubling the production of the program. Graduates will be prepared to advance their degree to the BSN, taking advantage of articulation agreements currently in place between BVCTC and area 4-year colleges and universities.
 
In 2019, the state Department of Health and Human Resources awarded the College $40,000 to support a Collegiate Recovery Program. A Collegiate Recovery Community offers support to students who are in recovery from any kind of addiction and/or mental illness including but not limited to, substance use, eating disorders, sex addiction, or depression.
 
In 2019, the College raised $3,000 to establish an on-campus food pantry. According to a recent study, hunger rates are 25 percent among community college students and over 42 percent of community college students were food insecure. In 2022 and 2023 alone, BridgeValley has helped feed over 200 students, enabling them to conquer hunger and focus on their education and future success.
 
In 2014, the College unveiled the Advanced Technology Center – Toyota Hall. This Center plays an essential role in the region by providing the latest technologies, programs, and expertise to support on-going economic development efforts. West Virginia can create the workforce industry needs by focusing on job creation; fostering economic development; and encouraging more students to enter Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers.
 
In 2013, the State of West Virginia consolidated two community colleges, Bridgemont and Kanawha Valley, to create a stronger, more comprehensive multi-campus community college for the Fayette, Kanawha, Clay and Putnam county service region.
 

Toyota Hall

(2014) BridgeValley Community and Technical College (BridgeValley) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia are proud to announce the naming of Toyota Hall; this name will be the academic hall designation for the Advanced Technology Center of South Central West Virginia (ATC).

The unveiling of Toyota Hall will be the highlight of the March 20 Founder’s Day celebration of BridgeValley’s inaugural year.  This naming is in recognition of Toyota’s investment of over $1 million that will support the continued development and sustainability of the ATC’s mission and BridgeValley’s commitment to manufacturing education. 

In 2012, Toyota West Virginia and BridgeValley launched the Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) associate degree program, which combines cutting-edge curriculum, paid working experience, and best practices of a world-class manufacturer.  BridgeValley students selected for this program attend classes at the ATC two days per week and work three days per week at the Buffalo plant.  Additional manufacturers have also participated in the program.  Participants may earn more than $40,000 over the five-semester program.

 “Toyota is pleased to be a partner with BridgeValley in providing education and work experience for highly sought after multi-skilled employees of the future, “ said Millie Marshall, president of Toyota West Virginia.   “The education and training these students complete will lay the foundation for them to get a great, well-paying job anywhere in the United States.  Of course, we hope they establish their careers here in West Virginia,” she added.

“I truly appreciate Toyota’s continued commitment to improving our academic and workforce training programs,” Gov. Tomblin said. “Just last month, Millie and I spoke to governors from across the country about advanced manufacturing, 3D printing and other offerings available through the Advanced Technology Center of South Central West Virginia. I am committed to providing our future workforce with the resources, skills, and training they need to be successful in the jobs we are creating, and Toyota’s partnership is a valuable part of that effort.”

"Beyond providing a great opportunity for our students, Toyota has taken a leadership role in modeling the advantages of industry and education partnerships by helping develop the curriculum, contributing cutting-edge equipment, and investing funding to maintain high-quality programming,“ noted Dr. Jo Harris, President of BridgeValley.  “Excellence is attained and maintained through such partnerships, and we are pleased to recognize Toyota on our first Founder’s Day event for their support as we worked together to create the AMT program and for their continued generosity during the ATC Capital Campaign.  They are an ideal industry partner.”