Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College receives nearly $3 million from U.S. Department of Education

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College has received nearly $3 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant program. The funding will support the implementation of an initiative called Southern Health Pathways: Nursing and Allied Health Student Success, which will aim to expand resources available to students in nursing and allied health programs.

According to an article on Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College’s website, Elizabeth A. Manuel, Interim President, was quoted as saying of the grant funding, “Southern is committed to ensuring that students have the support, resources, and hands-on learning experiences they need to succeed in high-demand healthcare careers. This significant federal investment will allow us to strengthen our Nursing and Allied Health programs while removing barriers that can prevent students from completing their education. We are grateful for this opportunity to invest in our students and, ultimately, in the healthcare workforce that serves southern West Virginia.” 

The initiative aims to address the barriers that can affect a student’s education journey. The initiative will enhance existing student tracking and early alert systems that help to identify at-risk students to faculty members, who will then be able to point students toward resources that can assist them before challenges turn into barriers to education.

The school will provide students with dedicated academic pathway specialists who will help students stay on track throughout their education. Additionally, it will provide expanded tutoring, academic remediation, and licensure examination preparation to support students throughout their studies.

Additionally, the college will purchase equipment that will help nursing and allied health students receive hands-on clinical training during their studies, including high-fidelity equipment and artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR)-enhanced learning technologies.

The funding will run from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2031. It will allow the school to provide more support and opportunities for students who are pursuing a career in nursing and allied health.

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