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Higher Education Policy Commission confirms appointment of Gary G. White as interim president of Marshall University
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In an emergency meeting this morning, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) unanimously approved the appointment of Gary G. White as interim president of Marshall University. The Marshall University Board of Governors selected White in an emergency meeting yesterday to lead the institution as the search for a permanent president moves forward. “Gary White is exceptionally qualified to lead Marshall University during this unprecedented time,” said Dr. Bruce Berry, the Commission’s chair. “West Virginia’s higher education system has benefitted immensely from his service, and we look forward to working with him in this critical role…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia’s higher education community mourns loss of Marshall University President Stephen J. Kopp
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and Dr. Bruce Berry, the Commission’s Chair, released the following statements regarding the passing of Dr. Stephen J. Kopp, President of Marshall University: “President Kopp was thoroughly devoted to Marshall University, and especially to its students. Under his thoughtful leadership, Marshall has thrived as a place for students to learn, to grow, and to give back to our state and the people around them. Our higher education community is diminished by President Kopp’s passing. We send abiding prayers to his wife, Jane, and their children…
Continue ReadingNearly $500,000 grant set to expand opportunities for adult learners across West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program is positioned to expand online learning opportunities for adults in West Virginia seeking to complete a Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) degree. Through the $499,991 grant, which was awarded to the West Virginia Network (WVNET), students will be able to participate in live video classes from the convenience of their laptop or tablet using a web conferencing system. “We have placed an increased emphasis in West Virginia on helping adult learners complete postsecondary education,” said Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor of the West Virginia…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia joins collaboration of states working to make distance education easier for students
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission today announced that West Virginia has become one of the first states approved as a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), a nationwide collaborative working to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by campuses in other states. West Virginia’s participation becomes effective on December 1, 2014. “Making distance education courses more readily accepted across state lines will help more students progress toward their degrees,” said Dr. Paul L. Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “Our institutions are doing a great job at growing and leveraging online…
Continue ReadingChancellor Hill applauds Senator Rockefeller’s abiding commitment to higher education
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Following an announcement today by U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller of the creation of the John D. Rockefeller IV School of Policy and Politics at West Virginia University, Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, released the following statement: “Through decades of public service to West Virginia, Senator Rockefeller has fought for – and achieved – stronger educational opportunities for West Virginians. From visionary policy-making that paved the way for historic investments in scientific research and STEM education, to robust efforts aimed at keeping college attainable and affordable through federal student loans and…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia’s higher education community arms students with career-ready technology skills
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Representatives of West Virginia’s higher education community today announced a new collaboration with Microsoft Corp. aimed at giving students high-tech skills that are essential for success in today’s economy. Through the Microsoft IT Academy, students at each public four- and two-year higher education institution in the state now will have access to technology education and software that will boost their readiness for in-demand careers. “Our students’ expertise must be ever growing and evolving, especially in technology. The Microsoft IT Academy can help them sharpen their technology skills in ways that the careers of today and tomorrow demand,”…
Continue ReadingWilliamstown students take part in college week
WILLIAMSTOWN – To promote the statewide “College Application and Exploration Week,” Williamstown High School encouraged seniors to complete all college applications for any school they wish to attend. Read the full story »
Continue ReadingWOWK: Students learn about paying for higher education in South Charleston, WV
SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV -Students in West Virginia are getting help making big decisions. West Virginia’s fifth annual College Application and Exploration Week takes place during the week of Oct. 20, and in celebration, the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) is hosting more than 200 events around the state. Read the full story »
Continue ReadingWTRF: John Marshall High School Educates Students About Post-Graduate Opportunities
MOUNDSVILLE – Students all over the Mountain State will have a great opportunity to see what college life has to offer over the coming week. West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has declared this week “College Application and Exploration Week.” John Marshall High School is one of hundreds of schools that will take part in the program. Read the full story »
Continue ReadingCharleston Gazette: State wants to redefine ‘full-time’ college status
Article: Charleston Gazette September 30, 2014 By Mackenzie Mays Federal financial guidelines require a college student to take 12 credit hours each semester in order to be a labeled full-time student, but more and more education officials say that’s not enough if students want to complete their degrees on time. West Virginia is joining several states across the country in launching a “15 to Finish” campaign, which urges colleges to promote 15-credit semesters in an attempt to get more students to complete courses in the right time frame and subsequently avoid higher tuition costs and a delayed entry to the…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission launches ’15 to Finish’ initiative
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Representatives of West Virginia’s public four-year colleges and universities gathered today in Charleston to launch the Higher Education Policy Commission’s statewide 15 to Finish* campaign, an initiative designed to encourage students to take 15 credit hours each semester and promote timely degree completion. “Enrolling in and completing at least 15 credits per semester is essential to completing a degree on time – within four years for a four-year degree,” said Dr. Paul L. Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “And the payoffs for taking this full course load extend beyond timely degree completion. Research has shown that taking 15…
Continue ReadingChancellor Hill: 15 to Finish – a simple message to drive college completion
This commentary appeared in the September 30 edition of the Charleston Gazette. When preparing for college, there are so many questions students must consider — from which school and major are the right fit, to choosing from financial aid options and mapping out schedules. Through all of this detailed planning, I believe it’s clear that students enter college with a real desire to graduate on time and start their careers as soon as possible. To help them reach that goal, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has launched a 15 to Finish campaign — with a simple but critical…
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 ReadingGovernor Tomblin declares statewide “College Application and Exploration Week”
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has designated October 20 – 24 as “College Application and Exploration Week” in an effort to help students prepare for college. Schools across the state will participate by hosting a variety of hands-on activities including college application workshops, panel discussions with current college students and college scavenger hunts and trivia contests. During the week, 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…
Continue ReadingChancellor Hill: College pride runs deep in West Virginia; support for student success should too
Here in West Virginia, we’re proud of a lot of things – especially our sense of community. And all across our state, so many close-knit cities and towns are bolstered by college campuses that deepen our community pride. We identify ourselves as Mountaineers and Mountain Lions. We cheer for the Big Blue, the Fighting Falcons and the Thundering Herd. We are Rams, Yellow Jackets, Catamounts and Golden Bears. We are Hilltoppers and Pioneers. Above all else, we are West Virginians who are proud not only of our collegiate athletic teams – but of everything West Virginia’s public colleges and universities…
Continue ReadingStatewide “College Day Tour” schedule announced
College planning events to be held September 9 through October 29 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Representatives from West Virginia’s colleges and universities will hit the road next month 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…
Continue ReadingHEPC to begin ’15 to Finish’ campaign
Article: WV MetroNews CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The state Higher Education Policy Commission will roll out an informational campaign on college and university campuses encouraging students to graduate within four years. Higher Education Chancellor Dr. Paul Hill said the “15 to Finish” campaign will encourage students to take at last 15 credit hours every semester in order to graduate on time. Read more »
Continue Reading4th Annual Student Success Summit: Redefining College and More
Article: West Virginia Public Broadcasting The WV Department of Education says high school graduation rate has been increasing and is up to 80 percent. But only 56 percent of students are college bound. How to improve those rates, and defining what “college-bound” really means were among the discussions at the fourth annual Student Success Summit in Morgantown last week. Read more or listen to the story.
Continue ReadingStudents join forces to help others earn a college diploma
MORGANTOWN, W.VA. – Nearly 40 students completed the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) Youth Summit held this week in Morgantown. The Youth Summit was part of West Virginia’s annual Student Success Summit, an event that brought together education administrators, teachers, students, military leaders and community group members to focus on collaborating to promote lifelong success for the State’s students. Tenth and 11th graders from Berkeley Springs, Elkins, John Marshall, Philip Barbour and Point Pleasant high schools participated in the Youth Summit, which offered a variety of workshops to develop their leadership skills. The Youth Summit focused on helping students…
Continue ReadingStudent Success Summit to focus on supporting students at every level
MORGANTOWN, W.VA. – More than 300 education administrators, teachers, students, military leaders and community group members will join forces next week to find ways to help students prepare for lifelong success. Education representatives ranging from pre-school teachers to college presidents to the students they serve will convene during the fourth annual Student Success Summit (Summit) to be held Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31 at the Waterfront Hotel and Conference Center in Morgantown. The two-day event provides a unique opportunity for participants to work together to create a more seamless, life-long education system. “Collaborative initiatives such as the Student…
Continue ReadingState higher education system announces Matt Turner to serve as new senior administrator
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education (Council) today announced that Matt Turner will be the agencies’ new Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration, beginning August 1, 2014. In this role, Turner will support the Commission and Council, while serving students, faculty and staff at each of West Virginia’s four- and two-year public higher education institutions. This position is responsible for carrying out policy directives for both systems, which includes facilitating intergovernmental relations and overseeing state-level student financial aid programs, the West Virginia Network (WVNET) and…
Continue ReadingChancellor Hill: College affordability is a necessity – let’s make it a priority
Nearly 50 years ago, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the first Higher Education Act, an unprecedented step that invested an increased level of federal dollars in colleges and universities and provided financial assistance for students pursuing higher education. The objective was to expand opportunities for students, inspire their minds and imaginations – and give them a running start toward a bright future. This was a touchstone moment for higher education in our country. It set the standard that if we invest strongly in postsecondary education, then we’re investing in people – in their futures and the strength of our…
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 ReadingSummers County High School to celebrate college bound students during ‘College Decision Day’
HINTON, W.Va. – Summers County High School (SCHS) will recognize seniors who plan to enroll in some form of education or training beyond high school during the school’s first “College Decision Day” event to be held May 19. “College Decision Day is inspired by sports events, such as the NCAA national signing day and the NFL draft,” Kari Vicars, vice principal at SCHS said. “We want to make sure we showcase the academic excellence of our students with the same enthusiasm and pride as we devote to sports.” College Decision Day is coordinated through West Virginia’s “Gaining Early Awareness and…
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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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