The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1.1 million people in the United States live with HIV and that one in seven of these people aren’t even aware that they’re infected. What’s more, college students fall within the category that makes up nearly a quarter of all new cases – and they’re the least likely to have access to the care they need.
Ask any student at WVU Tech about their first experience with the school and they’ll likely tell you a story of meeting with an interesting faculty member. It’s an important part of the University’s process for recruiting new students. For international students, it’s a rare glimpse into the small school that they won’t find online.
Cynthia’s story is part of a weeklong series celebrating first-generation Golden Bears. They’re the first in their families to earn a four-year degree, and they’re the students, alumni, faculty and staff who are showing the world how one big first step can change everything.
Dr. Cynthia Hall is a psychology professor at WVU Tech. She grew up in Radford, Virginia, just under two hours southeast of Tech’s campus in Beckley.
Tyesha’s story is part of a weeklong series celebrating first-generation Golden Bears. They’re the first in their families to earn a four-year degree, and they’re the students, alumni, faculty and staff who are showing the world how one big first step can change everything.
Tyesha White is a forensic investigation major at WVU Tech. She plans to put her skills to work wherever she can to help solve crimes, and has a particular interest in fingerprinting, photography, firearms and crime scene investigation.
A scholarship can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. For parents and guardians, it can be a weight lifted. For students, it’s a powerful motivational tool. For donors, it can be a way to leave a legacy after a successful career or to extend a helping hand to those who have the drive, but not the means, to chase down that dream career.
For students like Leland Swafford, a sophomore psychology major from Beckley, West Virginia, a scholarship is a launch pad for a career that benefits others.
Phil’s story is part of a weeklong series celebrating first-generation Golden Bears. They’re the first in their families to earn a four-year degree, and they’re the students, alumni, faculty and staff who are showing the world how one big first step can change everything.
Anyone who’s been tutored through WVU Tech’s TRIO Student Support Services program in the last two decades knows Phil Redden. He’s the go-to math guy and he’s built a great career at Tech.
Brianna’s story is part of a weeklong series celebrating first-generation Golden Bears. They’re the first in their families to earn a four-year degree, and they’re the students, alumni, faculty and staff who are showing the world how one big first step can change everything.
Brianna grew up in South Point, Ohio. It’s almost as far south as one can travel and still be in the state, and just under 4,000 people call it home.
First-generation students are those who become the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year degree. It’s a badge of honor, and for many, it’s a badge that’s hard-won.
Scott Robertson, Assistant Dean of Students for TRIO and Diversity Programs at WVU Tech, said that these students often face unique challenges in both getting into college and earning their degrees.