Heather McChesney, Director of Statewide Access Initiatives

Born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia, Heather McChesney has called many corners of the Mountain State home. After earning her bachelor’s degree in English and master’s degree in Secondary Education, she spent several years teaching in Harrison, Monongalia, and Morgan counties before returning to Kanawha County to continue her career in education.

For the past fifteen years, Heather has served as the Coordinator of Curriculum, Professional Development, and Education Initiatives for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System. She now leads as the Director of Statewide Access Initiatives. In both roles, she and the Student Affairs team oversee, implement, and manage a wide range of statewide college access and student success initiatives—including the West Virginia GEAR UP program—that help students across the state turn their educational and career goals into reality.

Outside of work, Heather is a devoted dog mama to Mr. Murphy and RocketMan, proud aunt to Josie and John, and a lifelong lover of the written word.