The Engage WVU Giving Circle is providing grant support for 12 West Virginia University projects and programs that benefit students and the state.
Established by the WVU Foundation, the Engage WVU Giving Circle empowers like-minded donors to make a more meaningful impact by pooling their individual gifts and taking an active role in funding decisions that support WVU.
Members contribute to the Engage WVU Giving Circle Fund, which awards grants annually in support of enhanced educational opportunities, health and wellness initiatives, family needs, STEM education, and cultural enrichment and achievement. One-to-three-year program grants worth up to $5,000 and one-year student project grants worth up to $2,500 are available.
The 2025-’26 grant cycle awarded $50,000 to new projects and programs, along with additional funding for two programs on a multi-year funding cycle.
“The Engage WVU Giving Circle turns individual generosity into collective impact — supporting programs that shape student success, strengthen West Virginia communities and inspire the next generation of leaders,” Tina Bigalke, chair of the Engage WVU Giving Circle, said. “Every gift matters, and together with the creative work from WVU students and faculty, we’re building a brighter future for our state.”
Recipients of program grants for 2025-’26 include:
- Jennifer Ripley Stueckle, for continued growth of the Trout in the Classroom educational program fostering an appreciation for the environment and natural resources of West Virginia.
- Oluwaseun Agunbiade, for a program/study to boost interest in college among West Virginia high school students by engaging them in activities with WVU students.
- Zachary White, for a health and wellness education program for 4-H campers.
- Lori Sherlock, for new aquatic therapy equipment at the WVU Student Recreation Center Aquatic Therapy Clinic.
- Sarah Miller, for a program that aims to boost retention of WVU engineering students by providing hands-on educational opportunities outside the classroom.
- Gina Wood, for a one-year cooking and nutrition program to benefit Kanawha County families in partnership with the WV CARDIAC Project.
- Brooke Brothers, for group activities designed to inspire West Virginia children of all ages and backgrounds to pursue higher education in STEM.
- Aimee Morewood, for continued work by the WVU literacy education initiative to aid West Virginia K-12 teachers.
- Kristin McCartney, for a statewide competition hosted by the Grow This! gardening program.
- Michelle Paden, for cultural enrichment trips to help first-generation WVU students explore graduate schools.
Student recipients of $2,500 project grants for the 2025-’26 academic year include:
- Ibukunoluwa Abigail Olaosebikan, for a one-day, hands-on educational STEM experience for high school students hosted at WVU.
- Ericka Portillo, for a research project focused on technology usage by children.
For more information about the Engage WVU Giving Circle, visit wvuf.org/engagewvugivingcircle. Faculty, staff, alumni and others interested in joining or supporting the group can contact Jena Prokopchuk, executive director of leadership annual giving, at 304-282-4703 or jprokopchuk@wvuf.org.