Southern announces HEPC grant focused on first-generation students
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Southern announces HEPC grant focused on first-generation students
Robert Fields | WVOW News
LOGAN Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College says it’s expanding its support for first-generation college students during the 2026-27 academic year through a new grant awarded by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
Through the “Connect, Belong, Succeed” initiative, Southern says it will use the grant to strengthen opportunities that help students understand and navigate the college experience while connecting them with people, programs and resources that can support their academic and personal success.
Elizabeth Manuel, Interim President at Southern, said in a press release that access to college is only the beginning. She said the college has a responsibility to help students feel that they belong and have the support and resources they need.
“At Southern, access to college is only the beginning. We have a responsibility to help our students feel that they belong here and make sure they have the support and resources they need to succeed,” said Manuel. “For a first-generation student, entering college can mean navigating an entirely new environment not only for that student, but often for their family as well. This grant gives us another opportunity to intentionally surround our students with support, connect them to people and resources, and help them build the confidence to persist toward graduation.”
The “Connect, Belong, Succeed” initiative will focus on creating opportunities for those first-generation students to become more connected to the college community and better equipped to navigate their education. Planned activities, according to Southern, will include opportunities for students to connect with faculty, staff and peers, learn about college resources and support services, participate in activities that strengthen their sense of belonging and develop skills and confidence that can help them overcome barriers and remain on track toward their educational goal.
In other updates from Southern, the college will host its open house and program tour this evening from 6-8pm on its Logan campus.
Prospective students will meet in Room 202 of Building C, where they’ll be able to enter for a scholarship drawing and learn how they might qualify to get their degree tuition-free.
Learn more at southernwv.edu.
Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College has campuses in Logan in Logan County, Williamson in Mingo County and Hamlin in Lincoln County.
PHOTO | File
