MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – From rural churches to community clinics and local outreach programs, students and faculty from the WVU School of Nursing continued to expand access to care across West Virginia last year, reaching tens of thousands of residents through service and education.
During 2025, WVU School of Nursing students and faculty impacted 70,253 community members across 19 counties, providing health education, screenings and support services that addressed some of the state’s most pressing health concerns. Together, these service initiatives produced an estimated $121,941 in total impact value, demonstrating the significant role nursing students play in strengthening community health resources.
The work reflects the School of Nursing’s commitment to community engagement as part of West Virginia University’s land-grant mission, said Dr. Angel Smothers, Associate Dean for Community Engagement.
“Students and faculty reached more than 70,000 community members across 19 counties last year,” Smothers said. “As one of the state’s two land-grant institutions, WVU has a responsibility to support communities across West Virginia, and the WVU School of Nursing plays a vital role in fulfilling that mission.”
Community-based learning remains a central component of the nursing curriculum, particularly through service-learning courses that allow students to identify real health needs and implement solutions.
In 2025 alone, students completed 4,202 hours of community-based service through capstone projects, addressing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, substance use disorder and heart disease.
These projects reached communities across Brooke, Clay, Fayette, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Lewis, Marion, Mercer, Mineral, Monongalia, Nicholas, Preston, Raleigh, Taylor and Tucker counties, expanding access to preventive care and education statewide.
Smothers said the diversity of projects across communities is one of the most meaningful indicators of impact.
“When you look at the numbers as a whole, what stands out most is the diversity in service,” she said. “Students work with their faculty and community partners to develop evidence-based projects that directly address local health needs.”
Faculty participation also increased significantly in 2025, with 78 of 101 faculty members, or 77%, reporting involvement in community service activities across all WVU School of Nursing campuses. This marks a continued increase in participation compared with previous years and reflects growing recognition of service work across the school.
Beyond required coursework, WVU nursing students continued to dedicate time to volunteer efforts across communities.
The Class of 2025 alone contributed 21,328 volunteer hours, with an estimated service value of $621,281 statewide, over the course of their four-year nursing program.
Many of those hours were spent supporting local organizations, donation drives and outreach events designed to meet basic needs and improve health outcomes.
Student leaders in the WVU Student Nurses’ Association also played an important role in organizing service opportunities.
“As community service chair, my role is to plan events that allow students to give back while earning required service hours,” Jesse Gordon, WVU SNA community service chair, explained. “Some of the initiatives I am most proud of include donation drives that provided clothing for survivors of sexual assault, supplies for mental health patients and essential items for individuals experiencing homelessness.”
These experiences not only benefit local communities but also help prepare students for their future roles as patient advocates.
“Community outreach has enhanced my ability to become a great nurse,” Gordon said. “You truly never know how much of an impact you can have until you get out there and serve.”
Faculty-led initiatives also continue to strengthen healthcare access across underserved areas.
Stephanie Young, clinical associate professor, said programs such as faith community nursing help reach individuals who may not otherwise have consistent access to healthcare.
“These programs allow nurses to meet people where they are,” Young said. “Whether it is monitoring blood pressure, providing education or helping prevent complications, the goal is to keep people healthy and prevent hospitalizations whenever possible.”
Young noted that sustainable partnerships are key to long-term success.
“Strong communication and community collaboration are essential,” she said. “When community partners are engaged and invested, these programs can continue to grow and make a lasting impact.”
For WVU nursing students, community engagement offers more than clinical experience. It helps shape the values that define their careers.
Smothers said advocacy remains at the heart of nursing education.
“Nurses are advocates at their core,” she said. “Community service helps students understand patient needs beyond the hospital setting and prepares them to care for individuals across every stage of life.”
Looking ahead, the School of Nursing plans to expand its network of partnerships to reach even more communities across the state.
As the WVU School of Nursing continues to expand its outreach efforts, the combined impact of students and faculty remains evident across communities statewide.
Through tens of thousands of service hours, hundreds of faculty-led initiatives and significant estimated service value, the School of Nursing is helping improve access to care while preparing the next generation of nurses to serve communities across West Virginia.
-WVU-
ms/6/18/2026
MEDIA CONTACT:
Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu