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West Virginia students earning higher GPAs, completing first year of college thanks to text messaging service
West Virginia students are earning higher grade point averages, successfully completing first year of college thanks to text messaging service Rural students benefit from college counseling via “Txt 4 Success” initiative CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Like many college juniors, Chelsea Goins is well-versed in juggling responsibilities. Not only is she a student at Concord University, but she also has three on-campus jobs, participates in cheerleading and teaches dance classes in her community. Her busy schedule makes it easy to forget about college deadlines. Luckily, she receives reminders directly on her cellphone. The College Foundation of West Virginia’s (CFWV’s) “Txt 4 Success” initiative works…
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Erma Byrd Center celebrates tenth anniversary
Collaboration among colleges and universities expands access to higher education for students in Southern West Virginia BEAVER, W.Va. – State officials, students, faculty and community members gathered at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center on Friday to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the facility’s opening. The Erma Byrd Center, which was West Virginia’s first collaborative higher education campus, offers classes and student services from Bluefield State College, Concord University and Marshall University. During Friday’s celebration, a variety of state and college officials offered congratulations and celebratory remarks, including Dr. Dave Swanson, chair of the Higher Education Foundation; Dr. Paul L.…
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West Virginia ‘GEAR UP’ to host college prep academy at Concord University
ATHENS, W.Va. – On Wednesday, nearly 200 high school sophomores are expected to arrive at Concord University to attend GEAR UP U, a summer academy designed to give students the opportunity to experience life on a college campus. The event, which runs this Wednesday, June 14 through Saturday, June 17, is sponsored by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s (HEPC’s) federally funded “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)” initiative. During GEAR UP U, students will live on the campus of Concord University, go to classes based on their chosen major and hone their leadership skills. Students will also participate in…
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Gazette-Mail: Mascots dance off during college-going event
More than 1,500 ninth grade students participating in the West Virginia GEAR UP program packed into the Clay Center for the Arts for the student leadership academy. The program is a college readiness project coordinated by the state Higher Education Policy Commission and funded by the federal government. It serves students in 10 counties including Fayette, Boone, Mason, Mercer, Mingo, Nicholas, Summers, Webster, Wyoming and Wirt. Wednesday’s event featured speakers including Josh Shipp, a nationally renowned youth leadership coach, Paul Hill, chancellor of the state Higher Education Policy Commission, and Sarah Tucker, chancellor of the state Community and Technical College…
Continue ReadingCollege Foundation of West Virginia sees promising early results in providing college counseling through text messaging
Charleston, W.Va. – During a meeting of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission held today, state officials announced that a pilot project to provide college counseling through text messaging is yielding encouraging results. The project, which is part of the Commission’s statewide College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) outreach initiative, provides students with a series of text message reminders to help them succeed in college. Students can text back anytime to receive free assistance from a counselor. Dr. Ben Castleman and Katharine Meyer, researchers from the University of Virginia, recently released a working paper outlining early results from the effort. Their…
Continue ReadingWHS celebrates College Decision Day
While lots of ink and air time were devoted to last week’s NFL draft, area high school seniors were being recognized for making a different kind of decision. College Decision Day, sponsored by GEAR UP, was observed at Westside High last Thursday. About three dozen students headed to college or military service were recognized in a ceremony held in the school auditorium. The format was similar to a sports signing day. Senior , accompanied by parents and a favorite teacher, sat at a table and “signed” with a college, got their photo taken and were congratulated by the principal, assistant…
Continue ReadingCollege Foundation of West Virginia providing college planning help through text messages
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Students heading to college this fall can receive deadline reminders and get help completing college-related tasks — all through text messaging. The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) is offering the service to any West Virginia student considering entering a two-year college, four-year college or career and technical program in the fall of 2016. Participating students will receive a few text messages per month reminding them of upcoming deadlines and providing information about important college-planing tasks such as applying for financial aid, registering for orientation and purchasing text books. Additionally, students can text back anytime they have…
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Concord University recognized nationally for ‘GEAR UP’ partnership
SAN FRANCISCO, CA. – The National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) announced today that Concord University has been named the 2015 national “GEAR UP Community Partner of the Year.” Concord was recognized for its support of the West Virginia GEAR UP program, a federally funded grant program to help students from low-income areas prepare for college. West Virginia GEAR UP serves more than 5,000 students annually in 10 West Virginia counties. The project is coordinated by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission), which received its second consecutive GEAR UP grant last year. Dr. Marjie Flanigan, Vice President of Student Affairs at Concord…
Continue Reading‘College Decision Day’ events to celebrate college bound seniors across West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Twelve West Virginia high schools will participate in West Virginia’s first statewide “College Decision Day” campaign to recognize high school seniors who plan to pursue some type of education or training beyond high school. College Decision Day is organized by the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV), an initiative coordinated by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to help students go to college and succeed. “College Decision Day is inspired by sports events, such as the NCAA national signing day and the NFL draft,” Dr. Adam S. Green, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the Commission, said. “We…
Continue ReadingConcord University to host “GEAR UP Kickoff” for area seventh graders on April 2
More than 450 seventh graders will have the opportunity to learn about life on a college campus during Concord University’s “GEAR UP” Kickoff event to be held April 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. GEAR UP stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.” The project, which is coordinated by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission), helps students in ten West Virginia counties prepare to enter and succeed in higher education and skillset training programs. Students from Collins Middle School and Meadow Bridge High School in Fayette County; Montcalm High School in Mercer County; Gilbert…
Continue ReadingTwo College Goal Sunday financial aid workshops rescheduled for this weekend
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Students and families in the Beckley and Lewisburg areas can get free help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other financial aid forms this Sunday, February 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. Financial aid counselors from Concord University and New River Community and Technical College will be on hand at the Erma Byrd Center in Beckley and New River Community and Technical College’s campus in Lewisburg to answer questions and work with families one-on-one. The workshops, which were originally scheduled for last weekend but postponed due to snow, are part of the statewide…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia awarded $21 million “GEAR UP” college-readiness grant
For immediate release: Monday, September 22, 2014 Contact: Jessica Kennedy, Assistant Director of Communications Division of Student Affairs West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (304) 558-0655 (office) (304) 532-0911 (cell) jkennedy@hepc.wvnet.edu NEWS RELEASE West Virginia awarded $21 million “GEAR UP” college-readiness grant CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Students in ten West Virginia counties will have extra help preparing for college and career training programs, thanks to a $21 million grant awarded to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission). The U.S. Department of Education announced today that the Commission will receive a “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs” (GEAR…
Continue Reading‘R U on Track for College?’ Texting a New Strategy
Article: Education Week As educators look for ways to keep high school seniors on track for college and to avoid the “summer melt” that leads some astray in the months after they graduate, a new strategy is gaining ground: texting. This year, West Virginia launched a pilot program that alerts students about deadlines for financial aid, registration, and student orientation, among other matters, with personalized messages on their mobile phones. The texting initiative targets students from low-income families—especially those set to become the first in their families to attend college. It begins in January of students’ senior year and continues…
Continue ReadingText messaging program involving high school seniors has caught on quickly
Article: Metro News CHARLESTON, W.Va. — To say a text-messaging program between high school students and four colleges and universities in West Virginia is working would be an understatement. The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) began a three-year pilot project in January that utilizes text-messaging to promote college access and support student success for a high school senior through his or her freshmen year. West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Communications Manager Jessica Kennedy said the response has been outstanding with 57 percent of the seniors in the 14 pilot high schools signing up for the program and many…
Continue ReadingGovernor Tomblin declares statewide “College Application and Exploration Week”
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has designated this week as “College Application and Exploration Week” in an effort to help students prepare for college. Nearly 150 schools across the state will participate by hosting a variety of hands-on college planning activities including college application workshops, panel discussions with current college students, and college scavenger hunts and trivia contests. Students of all ages – from kindergarteners to adult learners – will learn about the importance of pursuing higher education and the different types of college options available including certificate programs, two-year degree programs, and four-year degree programs. Students who…
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Governor Earl Ray Tomblin: College Application and Exploration Week: #WhyIChose
A column by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin (October 20, 2014) – Today marks the start of West Virginia’s fifth annual “College Application and Exploration Week,” a statewide celebration of the higher education opportunities available to our state’s students. This week, nearly 240 schools across the state will host college planning activities that provide guidance on how higher education can help students pursue and achieve their long-term career goals. Empowering students to enroll in — and complete — education and training beyond high school is the single most promising pathway to secure a bright future for our state’s next generation of…
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