BRIDGEPORT – Bridgeport Exempted Village School District welcomed the newest member of the Bulldog team with the announcement of Trina Kropka as director of the multipurpose facility to be dubbed “the Bridge” and nearing completion on the district campus.
The grant-funded 31,000 square foot health, education and community center will touch on every aspect of the district’s mission going forward, and the right leadership is crucial in making full use of the Bridge’s potential. The district had more than 40 resumes or letters of interest, and Kropka stood out.
The board welcomed her during the May 13 meeting.
Kropka has a background as a dietitian with a master’s degree in healthcare administration and an MBA. She worked 21 years at the Ohio Valley Medical Center and East Ohio Regional Hospital where she served as a dietitian and the administrative director of medical education overseeing the residency programs. She spent the last seven years at Trinity Health Systems overseeing the medical education department and residency programs for physicians.
She brings determination and keen ability as an organizer. Her strengths are ideally suited to all the Bridge can offer for students and the wider community.
“This position of director of the Bridge brings all of my skill sets together into one nice package.”
Kropka is intimately familiar with the area as a resident of Bridgeport for 27 years and the mother of an alumna. Her daughter, Campbell Kropka, graduated in 2024.
“I’m proud to be a part of this project. I’ve been hearing about this project since my daughter was in high school,” she said. “I’m a go-getter and we’re going to go get it done.”
She has walked through the Bridge, now being completed and on track to open Aug. 13. Kropka envisions the activities that will fill it’s halls.
“The building’s incredible. They did a great job getting the grant to get this beautiful building built. It’s unique to this area. It’s something we don’t have in Belmont County just yet. There’s so much potential,” she said.
“With my healthcare background I instantly go to healthcare and hospitality. Those are the kind of things that are forefront in my mind. Entrepreneurship. The kids in the Valley, they don’t know what they don’t know. They don’t know what kind of jobs are out there and they don’t know what kind of big future they could have.
“That’s my hope, that each kid who graduates from Bridgeport High School sees that there’s more out there than what they might originally know.”
She looks forward to coordinating with many partners that will operate out of the Bridge, including a WVU Medicine clinic, the Dog Pound fitness center for student athletes and the community, veterinary offices, daycare, mental health services, and more for the perfect “one-stop” for all the community.
“The potential’s endless,” she said.
“Coming through the Bridge, there’s going to be a lot of activity, a lot of life, a lot of energy. We’re going to have dogs coming, we’re going to have kids coming, we’re going to invite the community in. We’re going to have a Silver Sneakers program. This isn’t only just for the kids at the school, it’s also for the community. We hope to see people from ages of two years old up to 92 years old,” she said.
“This job, it calls to me. There’s an opportunity for me to not only make a difference in my own community, but to see it through from start to finish. I’m excited that we’re going to be able to introduce kids to things they don’t even know exist out there.”
Kropka said her leadership style is to seek out a variety of input and bring talent together.
“I’m a listener. I like to see what the community needs. I want to see what the kids’ needs are. I want to make sure that everything I do is incorporating everybody’s opinion,” she said. “I want to know what people need and I want to meet them there.”
She looks forward to hearing more from the students and the public.
“My hope is people of the Ohio Valley realize this isn’t just for Bridgeport. We’d like to welcome people from all across the Valley to come see what we’re doing here,” she said. “Come check us out. This is something that’s going to be cutting edge.”
Superintendent Brent Ripley said Kropka impressed the district leaders during her interview. She meshes perfectly with Bridgeport Schools’ commitment to helping people find and work with their unique strengths.
“What you bring to the table is a very good skill set and a lot of experience,” he said. “I knew your heart was behind it.”
Board member Karrie Puskas said Kropka brought clarity and confidence.
“You know we want to be the best and we strive, and I have no doubt that’s in your heart,” she said. “You’re going to excel in this position.”
Board President Kori Rosnick said Kropka’s instincts as a leader were evident.
“We’re excited to have you as part of the team.”
Vice President Ryan Kreiter noted Kropka’s appreciation of the family atmosphere of Bridgeport Schools.
Patrick McConnaughy agreed she fit the position perfectly.
“For us it was just a winning moment. We’re very excited.”
Don Cash said she is eminently qualified.
“With the direction we want to go, I feel real confident we’re gonna get there.”
