SOUTH CHARLESTON, W. Va. – BridgeValley Community & Technical College has been awarded $14,000 through the FY 2027 First-Generation Student Success Grant Program administered by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Council for Community & Technical College Education.

The funding will support BridgeValley's First-Generation Success Initiative: Connect, Navigate, Thrive, a campus-wide effort designed to strengthen student engagement, foster belonging, and improve success among students who are the first in their families to attend college.

Each semester, hundreds of BridgeValley students are the first in their families to pursue a college degree. While being a first-generation college student is a source of pride, it can also mean navigating an unfamiliar system without the benefit of parents or family members who have experienced college themselves. Understanding financial aid, selecting courses, accessing campus resources, and balancing academic, work, and family responsibilities are challenges many students face while charting a path that is entirely their own.

"Being the first in your family to attend college should be a source of pride, not a barrier to success," said Dr. Chris Treadway, President of BridgeValley Community & Technical College. "We are grateful to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Council for Community & Technical College Education for investing in first-generation students and recognizing the important role they play in the future of our state. This funding will allow us to expand the programs, resources, and connections that help students thrive from their first day on campus through graduation."

The initiative will introduce new programming throughout the academic year, including a First-Generation Success Series featuring workshops on academic planning, study strategies, financial wellness, self-advocacy, and balancing work, family, and college responsibilities. Students will also have opportunities to participate in Student Success Center open houses, accessibility and success workshops, and engagement events designed to connect first-generation students with campus resources and one another.

BridgeValley will also expand its recognition of National First-Generation College Celebration Day into First-Generation Celebration Week this November. The week will feature campus events recognizing the achievements of first-generation students while fostering community and connection. The college will also launch its "First at BridgeValley" campaign, a year-long initiative celebrating first-generation identity and reinforcing that every student belongs at BridgeValley.

"I've had the privilege of working with first-generation students throughout my career, and one thing has always been true—they don't lack talent or determination," said Michelle Wicks, Vice President of Student Affairs at BridgeValley. "What they often lack is someone who can help them navigate a process that's completely new to them and their families. Sometimes the right conversation, the right resource, or simply knowing someone believes in you can make all the difference. This initiative will create more of those moments, helping students build confidence, find community, and realize they don't have to navigate college alone."

In addition to expanding student programming, the initiative will strengthen BridgeValley's long-term support for first-generation students through enhanced assessment, data-informed planning, and cross-campus collaboration to better understand student needs and continuously improve services.