In the spring 2026 issue of WV Living Magazine, Brad D. Smith and his wife, Alys Smith, were recognized for their commitment to creating a better future for West Virginia. The article focuses on what happens when “possibilitarians lead” and highlights many of the Smith’s initiatives to improve the lives of West Virginians.
In addition to their leadership as the president and first lady of Marshall University, the article highlights the work of Wing 2 Wing Foundation, how Marshall for All is helping tackle the student debt issue, and how they are attracting top talent and young families to communities in West Virginia with Ascent WV.
Celebrating the Work of Wing 2 Wing Foundation
Brad and Alys founded Wing 2 Wing Foundation with a mission to unleash the power of human potential through the advancement of education, entrepreneurship and the environment in Appalachia.
“As Brad always says, ‘If your dreams can be achieved alone, you aren’t dreaming big enough.’ Our dreams are big, and we are blessed to bring them to life, together—wing to wing,” Alys said to WV Living.
Through partnerships and events like the Women Warriors Summit, Wing 2 Wing is reshaping the future of Appalachia by addressing issues like hunger, economic inclusion and student debt.
How Wing 2 Wing is Tackling Student Debt With Marshall for All
WV Living also highlighted the impact of the Marshall For All initiative, a program aimed at eliminating the burden of student loan debt for Marshall students. To achieve this, the program offers scholarships, grants and work opportunities to ensure that the amount of student loan debt a student takes on to earn a bachelor’s degree is as minimal as possible.
With a recent expansion to the program, Marshall For All: Tuition Free WV, qualifying students will have their tuition covered in full, allowing them to graduate with no student loan debt. This work emphasizes Wing 2 Wing Foundation’s dedication to education and entrepreneurship.
Bringing Top Talent to West Virginia With Ascend WV
Another program WV Living highlighted is Ascend WV, which was launched in 2021 through a partnership with Wing 2 Wing Foundation, West Virginia University, the Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC), and the West Virginia Department of Tourism.
Ascend WV offers financial incentives to remote workers to move to a community in West Virginia. This not only brings top talent to the state’s workforce, but it also creates economic prosperity for the communities.
“Ascend WV is about more than just relocation—it’s about building community, fostering new connections, and empowering people to create fuller, more meaningful lives,” Alys said to VW Living.
Read the full WV Living article to learn more about how Brad and Alys Smith have supported the state of West Virginia and keep up with Brad’s work as Marshall University’s President by following him on X and Instagram or checking out his YouTube.