A holistic approach to improving retention

Mountwest Community and Technical College received a $593,889 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the Higher Education Institutional Aid program (CFDA 84.031), effective October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2026. The grant funds the implementation of a holistic approach to improving student retention through enhanced academic offerings and comprehensive student support services. This initiative is designed to strengthen institutional capacity in student success and persistence at the two-year institution, which is located in Huntington, West Virginia, and serves the regional workforce development needs across multiple technical and allied health program areas.

The Higher Education Institutional Aid program supports institutional strengthening and development activities at eligible colleges and universities. Awards under this program typically fund capacity-building initiatives including academic quality improvements, student support services targeting underrepresented student populations, and operational enhancements. Mountwest's award contributes to this broader federal investment in postsecondary institutional development, with the college's retention-focused initiative supporting student success outcomes across its diverse credential programs.