$20,000 WVHEPC grant supports onboarding, peer mentoring, and recognition programs

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W. Va. – BridgeValley Community and Technical College is expanding support for new students through a six-week onboarding initiative called Connected From the Start. Funded by a $20,000 grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC), the program is designed to help first-time freshmen build confidence, find community, and thrive from their very first days on campus.

Through the initiative, students will be paired with trained peer mentors and receive academic readiness kits to support their coursework. BridgeValley will also integrate the Brite App, a student engagement platform that allows students to track services, events, and involvement, giving both students and staff real-time insight into the supports being utilized.

Signature events, including Celebrate Your Start and Pathfinder Recognition Day, will mark milestones in the first-year experience and provide opportunities for students to connect with classmates, faculty, and staff.

“Connected From the Start ensures our students don’t take their first steps in college alone,” said Carla Blankenbuehler, Dean of Students. “By pairing them with mentors, celebrating their milestones, and providing the tools they need, we’re helping build a foundation of confidence and belonging that will carry through their entire college journey.”

BridgeValley’s investment in first-year student success supports broader state efforts to increase retention and graduation rates, preparing more West Virginians to meet the workforce needs of the Kanawha Valley and beyond.

The college will launch Connected From the Start during its Fall 2025 semester, continuing its mission to create accessible, supportive, and innovative pathways to student achievement.