BridgeValley Community and Technical College

Day 4 of Welcome Back Week was all about welcoming new faces to BridgeValley!

Our newest faculty and staff spent the day getting to know the people, resources, and services that make up our campus community, while future Pathfinders joined us for our final Open Registration event before the Fall 2026 semester.

From welcoming new colleagues to helping new students take their next step, we're getting ready for an exciting year at BridgeValley!

Special thanks to President Dr. Chris Treadway for helping welcome our newest employees and joining them for today's group photo!
❤️🤍 🖤

Day 3 of Welcome Back Week at BridgeValley!

Faculty and staff started the day working together through our strategic task force committees, with conversations focused on enrollment, retention and completion, and finance and fundraising.

The afternoon continued with professional development sessions on resiliency in the workplace and trauma-informed care, followed by an ice cream social and meet-and-greet with President Dr. Chris Treadway and additional training on accessibility.

Thank you to all of today's presenters, moderators, and participants for another great day of collaboration, learning, and connection as we prepare for the year ahead!

👏 Shoutout to Jon Fannin, Emergency Medical Services Training Program Director, and Jennifer Hurt, Dean of High School programs, who presented at the CTE Conference at Marshall University on August 4th!

Thanks for representing us and sharing your knowledge with fellow educators.

🤝 Leadership on the Move! 🤝

Big things happen when West Virginia's community college leaders get in the same room. Our BridgeValley team — Norm Mortensen, Dean of Technology; Kristi Sarrett, Dean of Workforce Development and Technical Education; Sarah Kelly, Assistant Vice President of Assessment and Accreditation; and Kent Wilson, Dean of Nursing and EMS — attended alongside Tiffany Ellis-Williams, Director of Workforce and Economic Development at the WV Council for Community and Technical Education, on-site at Stonewall Resort for the 2026 Workforce Development Summer Institute, hosted by West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission | West Virginia Community and Technical College System.

This annual gathering brings all nine of the state's community and technical colleges together to tackle a shared question: how do we keep building a workforce system that meets West Virginia where it's headed? Expect candid conversation, fresh ideas, and a lot of cross-college problem-solving.

For BridgeValley, showing up means staying connected to the bigger picture — because our students' success is tied to a workforce system that works.

🌎 International Youth Day

Today's students are tomorrow's leaders.

Through BridgeValley's WIN Academy, high school juniors and seniors complete their graduation requirements while earning college credit and completing the first year of an associate degree. After graduating high school, students can complete the second and final year of their associate degree at BridgeValley.

Interested in learning more about WIN Academy or scheduling a visit? Contact us today!

📧 [email protected]

Day 2 of Welcome Back Week at BridgeValley!

Today was all about getting ready for the year ahead. Faculty and staff spent the day learning about financial aid, student systems, cybersecurity and technology updates, open resources and AI, Registrar processes, D2L, accessibility, and more.

A special thank you to President Dr. Chris Treadway for starting our morning off with donuts for everyone, and to all of today’s presenters for sharing their expertise and helping our faculty and staff prepare for a successful semester.

Another great day of learning, connecting, and getting ready to welcome our students back to BridgeValley!

We’re proud to celebrate and support BridgeValley’s first-generation students. 🎓

BridgeValley has received a $14,000 First-Generation Student Success Grant to launch Connect, Navigate, Thrive, a new initiative focused on helping first-generation students connect with campus resources, build community and strengthen their sense of belonging at BridgeValley.

We’re grateful to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and West Virginia Community and Technical College System for their support and investment in the success of our students.

First in your family. Never alone at BridgeValley.

Welcome Back Week is officially underway at BridgeValley!

Today, faculty and staff came together to celebrate accomplishments, hear from President Dr. Chris Treadway, strengthen our knowledge of the resources and services that support our students, participate in professional development and safety training, and spend time reconnecting with colleagues before the semester begins.

A special thank you to Andrea Petry and the BridgeValley Foundation for providing breakfast, door prizes, and activities throughout the day. We also appreciate Dr. Stephanie Erdmann of Strategy Forward Advisors and AUGE GRAY DRAKE Collective Works for joining us as part of our Lumina Foundation project with Strategy Forward and CollegeApp focused on strengthening BridgeValley's identity and engagement with adult learners.

Here's to a great Welcome Back Week and an exciting semester ahead!

📚 Fall classes are almost here — it’s not too late to get registered at BridgeValley!

Join us for Open Registration on August 13 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at our South Charleston campus.

Whether you’re starting college for the first time, returning to continue your education, or preparing for a new career path, our team is here to help you get everything in place for the Fall Semester.

During Open Registration, you can:
✔️ Apply or complete your application
✔️ Meet one-on-one with advisors
✔️ Register for classes with confidence

Don’t wait to secure your schedule for fall!

Questions? 📧 [email protected]

⏰ Time is running out! WIN Academy's Fall Semester applications close THIS Thursday, August 13. Make sure all your paperwork is submitted before the deadline — spots are filling fast as we welcome our biggest class ever! 🙌

👉 Apply today: https://www.bridgevalley.edu/winacademy/