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James Ikie Brooks

West Virginia student named to national ‘GEAR UP’ leadership academy

June 13, 2016

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – James “Ikie” Brooks, a native of Boone County, has been selected to participate in the highly competitive “GEAR UP Alumni Leadership Academy,” (GUALA) a 12-month national leadership program providing students across the country with intensive training in civic engagement and community development. The GUALA program identifies students with exceptional leadership potential and provides training to help them engage their peers, schools and communities in creating a college-going culture. Brooks, a junior at Marshall University, was one of 24 students selected from a nationwide pool of applicants made up of students who have graduated from high schools served by the federal…

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MetroNews: W.Va. among top states with high FAFSA completions rates

May 23, 2016

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More West Virginia students are completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid so far this year compared to last year, according to a recent announcement from the National College Access Network. West Virginia ranked 4th out of all 50 states for FAFSA completion, jumping from 10th place last year. As of this month, 52 percent of West Virginia high school seniors completed a FAFSA. “This really has been a collective effort and many folks around West Virginia have jumped in and wrapped their arms around this issue,” said Dr. Adam Green, vice chancellor of student affairs for…

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West Virginia ranks fourth in the nation in FAFSA completion rates

May 19, 2016

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – According to a recent announcement from the National College Access Network (NCAN), West Virginia is one of only four states to see gains in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates so far this year. And the state ranks fourth overall nationally in FAFSA completion — jumping up from 10th place last year.    Thirty-seven high schools in West Virginia met or exceeded the state’s spring benchmark for increasing the number of 12th graders who complete the FAFSA, the primary application for state and federal financial aid for college. In January, the College Foundation of West Virginia…

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‘College Decision Day’ events to celebrate students for committing to higher education

April 18, 2016

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Thirty-four West Virginia high schools will participate in the annual 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. Paul L. Hill, Chancellor for the Commission, said. “We want to make sure…

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Williamson Daily News: MCHS holds College Day

April 14, 2016

Published April 13, 2016 by the Williamson Daily News By Kyle Lovern – klovern@civitasmedia.com WVU, MU and Southern presidents attend RED JACKET – Mingo Central High School welcomed some important guests on Tuesday afternoon, the presidents of West Virginia University, Marshall University and Southern W.Va. Community and Technical College for their College Day assembly. Presidents Gordon Gee of WVU, Jerome Gilbert of MU and Robert Gunter of SWVCTC (Southern) all addressed thestudents, faculty and parents in attendance for the special day. Gary White of Logan, the former interim president of Marshall, was also at the event with Gilbert. Dr. Paul…

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Charleston Daily Mail editorial: A day to celebrate a college education

April 7, 2016

Published April 7, 2016 in the Charleston Gazette-Mail Enrolling in college or other post-high school training is the best decision some students will ever make. Despite the years of hard work, a post-secondary education for many students can set them on a course of lifelong success. That decision is to be celebrated, and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission will do just that later this month. State education officials will gather with students at Mingo Central High School on April 12. Any student who has committed to… »READ MORE

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College presidents, officials to recognize Mingo Central students during College Decision Day

April 6, 2016

DELBARTON, W.Va. – Mingo Central High School will celebrate ‘College Decision Day,’ an event honoring students who plan to pursue some form of education or training beyond high school, on April 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. 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.  Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor of West Virginia’s four-year public colleges and universities; Dr. E. Gordon Gee, President of West Virginia University; Dr. Jerome Gilbert, President of Marshall University and Dr. Robert…

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College Goal Sunday event offers free help with college financial aid forms

February 15, 2016

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia students can get free help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other college financial aid forms during the state’s annual College Goal Sunday event. College Goal Sunday financial aid workshops will be held February 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 25 locations. “Completing the FAFSA is a critical step for anyone considering going to college,” Brian Weingart, Senior Director of Financial Aid at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, said. “Students must submit this form in order to be considered for a variety of financial aid programs including state and federal grants,…

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College Foundation of West Virginia providing college planning help through text messages

January 20, 2016

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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Chancellor Hill: Marking 50 years of the Higher Education Act

November 8, 2015

On November 8, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Higher Education Act, unparalleled federal legislation that strengthened investments in public colleges and universities and provided dedicated support to students pursuing higher education. On that day 50 years ago, he said, “This will swing open a new door for the young people of America…the most important door that will ever open – the door to education.” This was a touchstone moment for higher education in our country. It made postsecondary education a national priority and placed it within the reach of more lower- and middle-income Americans. And it avowed…

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Charleston Gazette editorial: A plan for college

November 3, 2015

From the Charleston Gazette-Mail Higher Education Chancellor Paul Hill shared some disturbing news in a meeting with Gazette-Mail editors last week: West Virginia has lost significant ground on the rate of high school graduates going on to college. As of five years ago, West Virginia had worked up to 61.5 percent of students going on to college after high school, close to the national average of 63 percent. Since then, that rate has dropped to about 55 percent, where it was 15 years ago. This is happening despite the continuing projections that most jobs in the future will require some…

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Charleston Daily Mail editorial: College-going culture can help drive economy

October 29, 2015

From the Charleston Gazette-Mail.  The statistics are well-known: West Virginia has the fewest adults with bachelor’s degrees, the fewest number of adults working and the highest student loan default rate in the country. Combating those statistics is hard, but something Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Paul Hill works to do every day. Hill and other HEPC officials met with a combined Gazette-Mail editorial board Tuesday to talk about the challenges West Virginia faces when it comes to post-secondary education. Hill wants to create a “college-going culture” in West Virginia. Though that may sound difficult, there are some things working in West Virginia’s…

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Charleston Gazette-Mail: Higher ed leader wants to create college-going culture in WV

October 28, 2015

BY SAMUEL SPECIALE Fewer students are attending and completing college in West Virginia, a statistic that, along with budget cuts and increases in tuition, has state higher education officials concerned. With the state’s college-going and completion rates falling to 55 and 24 percent, respectively, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Paul Hill wants students to see the importance of earning a postsecondary education. “We want to create a college-going culture,” he said Tuesday during a meeting with Gazette-Mail editors. The college-going rate in West Virginia — the number of students attending either an in-state of out-of-state college — is…

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1,300 eighth grade students ‘GEAR UP’ for college

October 22, 2015

West Liberty mascot wins ‘Mascot Mania’ contest CHARLESTON, W.Va. – More than 1,300 eighth graders attended the West Virginia ‘GEAR UP’ Student Leadership Academy held yesterday at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences. ‘GEAR UP,’ which stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,” is a federally funded college readiness program coordinated by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.  During the event, students learned about college options and the importance of developing their leadership skills to take charge of their futures. Kendyl Ryan, a graduate of the West Virginia GEAR UP program, said GEAR UP has taught her to take…

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KENNY KEMP | Gazette-Mail

Charleston Gazette-Mail: WV college attendance program continues with new funding

October 22, 2015

BY RYAN QUINN About 1,300 West Virginia eighth graders danced, laughed and cheered Wednesday in Charleston at the kickoff event for a program to get kids from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds into college or other post-high school training — and take others with them. Last year, the U.S. Department of Education granted the Mountain State $21 million in its third Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant, according to Jessica Kennedy. Kennedy — director of communications and outreach for the Division of Student Affairs, part of West Virginia’s public higher education agencies — said the GEAR…

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MetroNews: More than 1,000 W.Va. eighth graders ‘GEAR UP’ for college

October 21, 2015

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Nearly 1,300 eighth grade students from 32 West Virginia schools were in Charleston Wednesday morning to participate in the state’s GEAR UP program at the Clay Center. The program teaches students, from pre-school to high school, how to take control of their futures by informing them about the steps needed to pursue higher education. “What that really is is to help other students be peer mentors, to spread the word about going to college, getting a career in mind early in their life and being prepared for college when they do go,” explained Dr. Paul Hill, chancellor…

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1,300 students to attend ‘GEAR UP’ student leadership academy in Charleston

October 20, 2015

For Planning Purposes: October 20, 2015 Contact: Jessica Kennedy, Director of Communications and Outreach Division of Student Affairs (304) 558-0655 – office • (304) 532-0911 – cell jessica.kennedy@wvhepc.edu  1,300 students to attend ‘GEAR UP’ student leadership academy in Charleston When: Wednesday, October 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. What: A leadership academy to inform students of college options and empower them to take charge of their futures. West Virginia GEAR UP will host a leadership academy featuring a presentation from Aric Bostic,  a nationally renowned youth leadership coach. Additionally, college mascots from across West Virginia will present dance routines incorporating college information…

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Governor Tomblin declares ‘West Virginia GEAR UP Week’ in recognition of college readiness program

September 21, 2015

‘West Virginia GEAR UP’ helps thousands of students prepare for higher education programs and training CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has designated this week as “West Virginia GEAR UP Week” to recognize the impact and achievements of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) effort. GEAR UP is a national grant program funded by the United States Department of Education. Its mission is to help students pursue and achieve some form of education and training beyond high school. This week has been declared “National GEAR UP Week” by program partners across the country. “GEAR UP…

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Statewide ‘College Day Tour’ kicks off September 1

September 1, 2015

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Representatives from West Virginia’s colleges and universities will hit the road today as part of West Virginia’s annual “College Day Tour.” During the tour, college admissions and planning counselors, along with military service representatives, will set up displays and host informational workshops in every region of the state. The West Virginia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (WVACRAO) organizes the event and works to ensure that West Virginia’s high school students have an opportunity to get college planning information close to home. Additionally, representatives from the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) attend every event to…

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New study shows federal GEAR UP program steering more West Virginians to college

August 7, 2015

Charleston, W.Va. – According to information presented today to the state’s Higher Education Policy Commission, the federal GEAR UP program is achieving its mission in West Virginia. The 2014 High School Senior Opinions Survey revealed that GEAR UP, which helps students in high-need West Virginia counties prepare for higher education, is successfully providing young West Virginians with the tools they need to attend – and succeed – in college. According to the survey conducted in spring 2014 among students at 45 schools, more than seven out of 10 seniors in GEAR UP high schools received direct assistance from college representatives,…

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Concord University recognized nationally for ‘GEAR UP’ partnership

July 21, 2015

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…

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West Virginia ‘GEAR UP’ student named to national leadership academy

June 16, 2015

Kendyl Ryan is one of 29 selected from a nationwide pool of applicants CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Kendyl Ryan, a native of Boone County, has been selected to participate in the highly competitive “GEAR UP Alumni Leadership Academy,” (GUALA) a 12-month national leadership program providing students across the country with intensive training in civic engagement and community development. The GUALA program identifies students with exceptional leadership potential and provides additional training and tools to help them more effectively engage their peers, schools and communities in creating a college-going culture. Ms. Ryan, a sophomore at Marshall University, was one of 29 students…

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WOAY: OOHS Honors College Bound Seniors

May 19, 2015

OAK HILL– An area school is honoring college and service bound seniors. Oak Hill High School honored members of its senior class today during its college decision day ceremony– recognizing those who will either be continuing their education or will be entering the armed services. Oak Hill is one of 12 high schools across the state participating in the sports inspired campaign which is designed to praise those who are continuing their educations as well as encourage underclassmen to do the same. Read the full story »

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Point Pleasant Register: Wahama to host “College Decision Day”

May 18, 2015

MASON — A new event to celebrate graduating seniors pursuing post-secondary education will take center stage Thursday evening at Wahama High School. The school will conduct its first “College Decision Day” at 5 p.m., prior to the senior awards ceremony, according to Teresa Murphy, counselor. School staff, students and families will recognize each senior who plans to pursue some form of post-secondary education, whether it be certificate programs, workforce training and apprenticeship programs, two- or four-year degrees, or military service. Murphy said the event will encompass most of Wahama’s 69 graduating seniors, although a few have chosen directemployment. Each senior…

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‘College Decision Day’ events to celebrate college bound seniors across West Virginia

May 1, 2015

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…

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