Concord University Wins $1.5M TRIO Grant for Adult Education

Concord University has secured a nearly $1.5 million federal TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand educational access across southern West Virginia. The funding will deliver comprehensive educational, career, and financial planning services to more than 1,000 adults annually across Mercer, McDowell, and Summers counties.

Expanding Access in Southern West Virginia

The newly funded Educational Opportunity Center is slated to begin operations by late November. Dr. Andrea Sullivan, who currently directs Upward Bound at Concord University, will lead the new center. Under her direction, the initiative targets regional barriers to education and aims to clear pathways toward career advancement and greater economic mobility for adult learners.

The program is built for adults working toward a GED, exploring postsecondary enrollment, or seeking career shifts. All services will be offered free of charge and tailored to individual participants.

Education changes lives for the better, and this grant allows Concord University to reach even more individuals who can benefit from that opportunity, Sullivan said. We look forward to helping adults in Mercer, McDowell, and Summers counties take the next step toward earning a GED, enrolling in post-secondary education, and achieving their career goals.

Comprehensive Support Services and Community Impact

Participants will have access to a wide array of customized resources designed to meet them at any stage of their professional or academic journey. Whether individuals are entering college for the first time, returning to finish a degree, or searching for new employment opportunities, the center offers direct assistance.

Services provided through the initiative include:

GED preparation and completion assistance
Career exploration and planning
College admissions guidance
FAFSA and financial aid support
Academic advising
Financial literacy education
Referrals to workforce development and community resources

The federally funded initiative specifically focuses on serving individuals who meet federal financial guidelines and those who are the first in their families to pursue postsecondary education.