FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 2024
Fairmont, WV — Pierpont Community and Technical College has been awarded two grants from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC) to support first-generation students and mental health initiatives on campus.
The First-Generation Student Success Grant is awarded to two- and four-year colleges and universities across the Mountain State that exhibit a commitment to aiding in the recruitment, retention, and support of first-generation college students through campus-based initiatives, events, services, and more.
With the $5,000 grant, Pierpont will introduce an initiative to support and celebrate first-generation students through meaningful activities and resources that help to break the barriers they face when pursuing an education. Part of that initiative includes campus-wide participation in National First-Generation College Celebration Day on November 8. The event will feature the stories of first-generation students, faculty, staff, and alumni and launch an inaugural first-generation student organization to provide ongoing support and foster mentorship opportunities across Pierpont’s campuses.
“We are thrilled that West Virginia is prioritizing first-generation students and securing funding to strengthen our ability to support and celebrate their achievements,” said Executive Director of Admissions, Recruiting, and Student Engagement at Pierpont, Jenni McConnell. “This is an exciting time for Pierpont as we implement additional resources dedicated to supporting first-generation students.”
The WVHEPC Center for First-Generation Student Success reports that first-generation students who complete college are more likely to be employed, earn higher wages, and be civically engaged than those who do not. In addition to initiatives designed to support first-generation students, the barrier of cost often associated with pursuing postsecondary education and training is greatly reduced at Pierpont through opportunities like the West Virginia Invests Grant, which provides free tuition to West Virginia residents seeking an associate’s degree or certification in an in-demand field.
The second grant, a Campus Mental Health Grant, seeks to meet the non-academic needs of students. Pierpont’s focus of the $6,250 grant includes the implementation of a comprehensive wellness program that will provide life skills training workshops to students, faculty, and staff. Mindfulness, stress management, and healthy eating are among the selection of workshops that will be available both in person and online.
“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,” said Director of Support Services at Pierpont, Dr. Suzan Clemens. “Students who are less stressed and have a sense of connection to their campus will flourish in their academic pursuits.”
Pierpont’s Office of Support Services offers students a number of free resources, including counseling, disability services, learning strategies, and more. Additional support for individuals balancing their academic commitments while raising children is offered through Pierpont’s ‘Parents’ Place,’ a home for easy-to-access resources tailored to their needs.
Both the First-Generation Student Success Grant and the Campus Mental Health Grant align with Pierpont’s ongoing commitment to provide accessible, responsive, and comprehensive educational pathways for students in North Central West Virginia and beyond.
Classes begin on Monday, August 26 at Pierpont; there is still time to register. To learn more, click here.
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For more information:
Pierpont Community and Technical College
Office of Marketing and Communications
communications@pierpont.edu