December 15, 2025
Collaboration is at the heart of meaningful community impact, and CMI2 recently had the opportunity to highlight one such partnership on Community Connections, a broadcast produced by The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (TGKVF).
Our own Walter “Wally” Hatfield, Vice President of Training & Experimentation, joined TGKVF to discuss the work CMI2 is doing together in Clay County to expand access to high-quality STEM education.
You can watch the Community Connections segment featuring this conversation here:
🎥: Career Connections
In June, CMI2 was honored to receive a grant from TGKVF to help grow the ILLUME STEM education program in partnership with Clay County Schools. Read the announcement: The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation Awards Grant to Expand CMI2’s ILLUME STEM Education Program – CMI2
This investment will bring new, cutting-edge learning tools into classrooms, including 3D printers, drones, and robotics kits. Beyond equipment, the grant also supports professional development for educators and the creation of hands-on learning experiences that help students build real-world skills. Together, these efforts are designed to better prepare students for in-demand careers in science, technology, and technical fields.
Through ILLUME, CMI2 is committed to strengthening science and technical education, expanding workforce opportunities, and supporting long-term economic resilience in Clay County and across West Virginia. Partnerships like this demonstrate what’s possible when community organizations, schools, and innovation leaders work together toward a shared goal.
To learn more about CMI2’s ILLUME program and its impact, visit ILLUME – CMI2.
