Pierpont Community and Technical College receives two grants from West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

Pierpont Community and Technical College has been awarded two separate grants from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, totalling $11,250. One grant is the  First-Generation Student Success Grant and the other is the Campus Mental Health Grant. The grant funding will be used to support student success in various ways.

The First-Generation Student Success Grant is for $5,000 and is awarded to colleges and universities in West Virginia that provide dedicated recruitment and support for students who are the first in their families to attend college.

According to an article on Pierpont Community and Technical College’s website, Jenni McConnell, who serves as the college’s Executive Director of Admissions, Recruiting, and Student Engagement, shared her thoughts about receiving the First-Generation Student Success Grant. She is quoted as saying, “We are thrilled that West Virginia is prioritizing first-generation students and securing funding to strengthen our ability to support and celebrate their achievements. This is an exciting time for Pierpont as we implement additional resources dedicated to supporting first-generation students.”

This grant will be used to implement several initiatives to help support and celebrate first-generation college students as they make their way through their schooling. Pierpont Community and Technical College will participate in National First-Generation College Celebration Day on November 8.

The second grant the college received, the Campus Mental Health Grant, gave the school $6,250. One of the major implementations supported by this grant is the development of life skills workshops that will be available both in person and online, focusing on topics like mindfulness and stress management. 

Dr. Suzan Clemens, who serves as the school’s Director of Support Services, was quoted as saying of this grant, “Our goal with the wellness program is to provide our campus community with lifetime stress reduction activities in a more communal setting, thus encouraging a culture of belonging. Students who are less stressed and have a sense of connection to their campus will flourish in their academic pursuits.”

For more information about Pierpont Community and Technical College, visit the school’s website.