The Civil-Military Innovation Institute (CMI2) proudly announces a generous grant award from The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (TGKVF) to expand its groundbreaking ILLUME (Innovating, Learning, Leading, Uniting, Making) program in collaboration with Clay County Schools. This bold initiative is transforming STEM education and workforce development for Clay County, West Virginia students.
The TGKVF grant will provide vital support to equip students with advanced technology tools, including 3D printers, drones and robotics kits while offering professional development opportunities for educators. This funding marks a significant milestone in ILLUME’s mission to bridge economic and educational disparities through experiential, skills-based learning in one of West Virginia’s most underserved counties.
“This partnership with TGKVF empowers us to amplify ILLUME’s impact on students and the community,” said Zenovy Wowczuk, founder of CMI2. “Together, we’re building a more resilient Clay County by preparing students for high-demand STEM and skilled trades careers.”
A Model for Community-Driven Innovation
Since its launch in 2023, the ILLUME Program has served as a catalyst for both youth development and economic revitalization. Supported by the team at CMI2’s Adaptive Experimentation Facility (AEF) at Fort Andrew in Lizemores, ILLUME offers Clay County students real-world learning experiences aligned with industry needs, from additive manufacturing to drone operation.
ILLUME operates through a structured five-pillar model:
- Innovating – Enhancing STEM curricula through support for Technology Student Association (TSA) programs
- Learning – Expanding skilled trades education
- Leading – Introducing UAV and drone instruction
- Uniting – Strengthening local partnerships with organizations like ACG [has this been referenced before? Should probably be expanded]
- Making and Experimenting – Creating dynamic makerspaces for hands-on learning
“ILLUME is really helping bring this community together,” said Walter Hatfield, vice president for training and experimentation at CMI2. “By supporting our students and teachers, CMI2 is showing community matters when it comes to our country’s future. When we give young people the tools to innovate and grow, we’re setting them, and us, up for long-term success.”
The TGKVF grant enables ILLUME to further invest in Clay County providing funding for:
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- Fully operational school-based makerspaces
- A Mobile Training Platform (MTP) to reach remote learners
- Advanced instructional materials and consumables
- Structured professional development for educators
- Internships, mentoring, and STEM competitions to prepare students for careers in emerging sectors
By the end of the grant period, ILLUME expects to provide access to middle and high school students, representing approximately 42 percent of Clay County’s secondary school population.
“Programs like CMI2’s ILLUME are exactly the kind of strategic investment we seek for our communities in the Greater Kanawha Valley,” said TGKVF President and CEO Dr. Michelle Foster. “By bringing people together, fostering meaningful community engagement that strengthens local networks and builds lasting confidence. That is how we fuel long-term, inclusive growth for our region.”
CMI2’s efforts in increasing STEM education in Clay County have continued to improve since ILLUME’s launch. Notably, Clay County High School students have achieved success in national STEM competitions, including nine semifinalist placements in 2024 at the Technology Student Association national competition.
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About the Civil-Military Innovation Institute (CMI2):
CMI2 is a nonprofit organization based in West Virginia, dedicated to bridging national defense innovation with local economic development. Through its AEF at Fort Andrew facility and educational initiatives like ILLUME, CMI2 empowers students, Soldiers, and first responders through hands-on problem solving, workforce training, and technological advancement.
As a nonprofit focused on bridging critical gaps in defense innovation, CMI2’s mission is guided by five strategic pillars:
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- Maximize engagement across public and private sectors
- Empower frontline Soldiers through direct collaboration
- Advance prototyping and experimentation via dedicated facilities
- Drive innovation commercialization to deploy new technologies
- Enable economic development in communities like Clay County that are essential to national resilience
CMI2 is committed to sustaining and expanding ILLUME beyond the initial grant period. Future plans include growing the summer internship program, launching a Center of Excellence for STEM education and deepening public-private partnerships to unlock new funding and collaboration.
About The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation:
Founded in 1962, TGKVF is the largest community foundation in West Virginia, fostering philanthropy that improves the lives of individuals and communities across its six-county region. Learn more at About TGKVF – The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, celebrating over 60 years of philanthropic leadership, continues to play a critical role in strengthening communities across six West Virginia counties, including Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam.
