Southern Foundation

10/09/2026

Southern Receives Nearly $3 Million Federal Grant to Strengthen Nursing and Allied Health Programs

LOGAN, WV - Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College has received a $2,981,852 Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education to implement Southern Health Pathways: Nursing and Allied Health Student Success, a five-year initiative focused on improving student retention, program completion, and professional licensure and certification success.

The project, which will run from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2031, will strengthen institutional capacity and expand the resources available to students pursuing careers in nursing and allied health fields.

“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,” said Elizabeth A. Manuel, Interim President of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. “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.”

Through Southern Health Pathways, Southern will modernize its clinical simulation laboratories with high-fidelity equipment and artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR)-enhanced learning technologies. These upgrades will provide students with additional opportunities to practice clinical skills and gain experience in realistic healthcare environments.

The initiative will also provide students with dedicated academic pathway specialists who will help guide them through their educational journeys. Expanded tutoring, academic remediation, and licensure examination preparation will provide additional support for students as they progress through their programs and prepare to enter the workforce.

Southern will also enhance its student tracking and early-alert systems to identify students who may be experiencing academic or other barriers to success. Early intervention will allow faculty and staff to connect students with appropriate resources and support before challenges affect their ability to remain enrolled and complete their programs.

The initiative addresses barriers that can affect student persistence while strengthening the systems and services that support completion.

By increasing access to academic and technological resources, Southern Health Pathways will help more students complete Nursing and Allied Health programs, earn professional credentials, and enter high-demand healthcare careers throughout southern West Virginia.

The grant represents a significant investment in Southern’s ability to prepare a highly skilled healthcare workforce and support the communities it serves.

10/03/2026

10/01/2026

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Paramedic Program Earns Citation-Free Five-Year Continuing Accreditation from CAAHEP.

LOGAN, WV — Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College’s Paramedic Program has successfully completed its five-year continuing accreditation review, receiving continued accreditation with no citations from its accrediting agency, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The achievement represents a significant milestone for the College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education program and reflects the commitment of faculty, staff, students, clinical partners, and the College administration to maintaining high standards in paramedic education.

The five-year continuing accreditation review comprehensively evaluates an EMS education program’s compliance with established accreditation standards. The review examines areas such as curriculum, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, clinical and field experiences, resources, program administration, and continuous quality improvement.

Receiving a citation-free review indicates that the Paramedic Program demonstrated compliance with the applicable accreditation requirements without deficiencies requiring formal citations.

“This achievement is a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of our faculty, staff, students, and clinical partners,” said Mike Smith, Program Director of the Paramedic Program. “A citation-free five-year review demonstrates the hard work that goes into providing our students with a high-quality paramedic education and preparing them to serve the communities of southern West Virginia.”

The review also highlights the program’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. Through classroom instruction, laboratory education, high-fidelity simulation, clinical rotations, and field experiences, students are provided opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and professional judgment necessary for successful practice as paramedics.

The Paramedic Program works closely with area hospitals, emergency medical services agencies, and other healthcare and public safety partners to provide students with meaningful clinical and field experiences. These partnerships are an important component of preparing future paramedics for the complex and demanding situations they will encounter in emergency care.

College leadership recognized the accomplishment as an important reflection of the program’s dedication to student success and quality EMS education.

The successful review provides continued recognition of the Paramedic Program’s educational quality while reinforcing its commitment to maintaining accreditation standards and continuously evaluating opportunities to strengthen the student learning experience.

For current and prospective students, the achievement provides additional assurance that Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College’s Paramedic Program remains focused on delivering a rigorous, student-centered education designed to prepare graduates for careers in emergency medical services. Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College congratulates the Paramedic Program faculty, staff, students, clinical affiliates, field partners, and administration on this significant accomplishment.

10/01/2026

Congratulations to Our New CDL Graduates!
Southern proudly celebrates the following students who have successfully earned their Class A Unrestricted Commercial Driver’s Licenses!

Congratulations to:
(Left to right):
Braydun Ferris
Jacob Dotson
Michael Stamper
Matthew Ham

We’re proud of your hard work and dedication and wish you continued success as you begin the next chapter of your careers!

09/30/2026

09/26/2026

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Interim President Elizabeth Manuel and Chief External Officer Robert Stacy Dingess were on hand tonight at the Fire & Ice event at the Chief Logan Convention Center.
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College also brought its Bestfoot Mystery Chili to the chili cook-off.

A great evening of community, competition and good food in Logan!

09/22/2026

We’re grateful to Dignity Hospice of Southern West Virginia for donating the proceeds from its recent softball tournament to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College!

Thank you to Dignity Hospice, the tournament participants, and everyone who helped make the event a success. Your generosity helps support Southern students and our mission to provide accessible, affordable, quality education and training to those we serve.

We appreciate your continued support of Southern and our students!

06/19/2026

Mr. Canterbury will be deeply missed. He was a leader and a friend.

Share Memories and Support the Family.