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Higher education community embarks upon five-year master plan
Charleston, W.Va. – More than 150 people from across each of West Virginia’s public four-year colleges and universities have converged in Charleston today for a two-day conference hosted by the Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and focused on the state’s new five-year master plan for higher education, Leading the Way: Access. Success. Impact. Representatives of areas ranging from academic affairs, recruitment and admissions, to career services, retention and community outreach are strategizing about ways to meet the plan’s bold aspirations – with the ultimate goal of solidifying higher education as a means to success for West Virginians and an economic…
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 ReadingWVROCKS assists Fairmont State students in completing RBA degrees
Through the WVROCKS initiative launched by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, adult students at Fairmont State University have found greater success in completing a four-year degree. WVROCKS is an acronym for West Virginia’s Remote Online Collaborative Knowledge System, which offers Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) courses online from different institutions throughout the state. The mission of WVROCKS is to provide a high quality, student-focused, engaging, eLearning higher education collaborative. “The Regents Bachelor of Arts degree is a flexible program that provides adult learners the opportunity to turn life experience into course credit, if that experience is generally equivalent…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Policy Commission confirms Gordon Gee as WVU president
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, in a special meeting in Charleston today (March 10), confirmed the selection of E. Gordon Gee as the 24th president of West Virginia University. The Commission voted to approve the WVU Board of Governors’ March 3 action to amend its search process and select Gee as the permanent president. “President Gee is a vibrant leader with unmatched credentials whose homecoming has been warmly welcomed at West Virginia University,” said Dr. Bruce Berry, chairman of the Higher Education Policy Commission. “We look forward to working closely with President Gee and the…
Continue ReadingChancellor Hill: Leading the way with a bold plan for higher education
Today at the State Capitol, colleges and universities from across West Virginia have come together to showcase the vast opportunities for a high-quality postsecondary education right here at home. From Shepherdstown to Huntington, Morgantown to Athens, and at multiple points in between, we have an array of affordable options for earning college degrees at public institutions right in our own back yards. Together with these campuses, the Higher Education Policy Commission is tackling a new five-year master plan, Leading the Way: Access. Success. Impact., that builds on recent progress and sets forth bold aspirations for higher education – and a…
Continue ReadingHigher education community to unite for Higher Education Day at the Capitol
Charleston, W.Va. – Representatives of higher education institutions from across the state will come together this Friday, February 21, for Higher Education Day at the Legislature, an annual event held to recognize West Virginia’s colleges and universities and highlight the far-reaching postsecondary opportunities available across the state. Participating institutions include West Virginia’s public four-year and two-year colleges and universities, along with independent four-year institutions. Each campus will distribute information and have representatives on hand to answer questions. The event is hosted by Paul Hill, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission; James Skidmore, Chancellor of the Community and…
Continue ReadingGrant aimed at improving quality of online courses offered by West Virginia higher education institutions
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and Community and Technical College System of West Virginia (WVCTCS) today announced that a $28,765 grant from the West Virginia Technical Assistance Broadband Grant Program will provide training opportunities for faculty members at higher education institutions across the state on how to improve online courses. “Online courses are becoming an increasingly effective way to deliver high-quality educational opportunities to our students, especially nontraditional students who need more flexibility,” said Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “This grant and the training that comes with it will help us strengthen online course…
Continue ReadingFAFSA ‘definitely the gateway’ to financial aid
Article: Fairmont Times West Virginian Students encouraged to file as soon as possible FAIRMONT, W.Va. — It’s time to file the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is an online form students seeking higher education can fill out to apply for any kind of federal financial aid. “It’s definitely the gateway to all federal and most state financial aid,” said Jessica Kennedy, communications manager for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Students file the FAFSA to get aid like federal PELL grants, which do not have to be paid back, and federal student loans that have lower…
Continue ReadingCollege Goal Sunday event offers free assistance in applying for financial aid
CHARLESTON, WV – West Virginia students can get free help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other financial aid forms during West Virginia’s fifth annual College Goal Sunday event. College Goal Sunday financial aid workshops will be held February 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 25 locations across the state. “Completing the FAFSA is a crucial step in finding financial aid for 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…
Continue ReadingWV Higher Education Policy Commission to recognize scientific research grants tomorrow at Culture Center
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Division of Science and Research has announced winners of new scientific research grants. The recipients of these awards will be formally recognized on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014 at a luncheon beginning at noon at the West Virginia Culture Center in conjunction with Undergraduate Research Day at the State Capitol. Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Education and the Arts, will be at the luncheon tomorrow to present ceremonial checks to the winners. The Division of Science and Research administers state- and federal-level scientific research grants in West Virginia.…
Continue ReadingStudy says nearly half of college grads stay in Mountain State
Article: MetroNews MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A study from West Virginia University says college graduates in the Mountain State who received a Promise Scholarship are more likely to stay and work in West Virginia. The WVU College of Business and Economics did the study for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Researchers took at look at the college graduates from the past 10 years. (Read the WVU study here) The study estimates 48 percent of the graduates work here and those who received a Promise Scholarship are more likely to work in their home state… Read the full story »
Continue ReadingPersonal text messages offer support as students face higher education
Article: Times West Virginian FAIRMONT, W.VA. — The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission recently launched a three-year pilot project that will help high school seniors prepare for college and begin their freshman year of higher education. The text message support project, which has not yet been officially named, has two main goals: to remind students of deadlines and important steps in the college application process, and to provide them with support and answers to any questions they have along the way. The project is a twist on traditional methods used to help students plan and prepare to move on…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia college access and completion project highlighted at White House event
Washington, D.C. – Paul Hill, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission), and Adam Green, Senior Director of the Commission’s Student Success and P-20 Initiatives, today participated in an event hosted by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama focused on new initiatives that will expand college opportunity. West Virginia’s text messaging support project – which launched this month and provides a pilot group of high school seniors personalized college counseling by text message – was highlighted as part of the event as a new, innovative action aimed at increasing college access and completion. “The project…
Continue ReadingDr. Adam Green: Higher education leads to higher wages
In a recent editorial, the Daily Mail argued against increasing the minimum wage. Editors noted that while it’s a tough marketplace for workers with little education or experience, the bigger question is how to expand access to jobs with higher earnings. Arguing whether the minimum wage should be increased is not within my realm of expertise. However, I believe the editors are right to point out that opportunities for low-skilled workers are increasingly limited and that growing our economy revolves around bigger issues. In my mind, we cannot talk about income equality or economic growth without addressing higher education. Increasing…
Continue ReadingMan Middle School participates in CFWV College Days
Article: Logan Banner MAN — Man Middle School (Logan County) participated in College Foundation West Virginia (CFWV) College Week October 16th and 17th. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin designated this week as “College Application and Exploration Week” in effort to help students prepare for college. Read the full story »
Continue ReadingJRES students explore careers
Article: Elkins InterMountain Most elementary students are concerned with sports, play and what it will be like when they move up to middle school. But Jennings Randolph Elementary School fifth-graders got a jump on their career exploration this week. On Wednesday, they traveled to the Randolph Technical Center to learn about the programs offered there and work with high school-aged students to experience a typical day at the center. JRES counselor Aaron Talbott said the students participated in West Virginia’s statewide College Application and Exploration this week. Read the full story »
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…
Continue ReadingGov. Tomblin declares “GEAR UP for College Week”
Article: MetroNews CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It’s “GEAR UP for College Week” in West Virginia. The governor’s proclamation was aimed at recognizing the achievements of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs across West Virginia. GEAR UP is a grant program through the United States Department of Education that aims to help students pursue education and training beyond high school. Since its launch in 2008, thousands of students in 10 West Virginia counties have received assistance in going to college. Taylor Raby and Allison Epling, seniors at Scott High School in Madison, have been in the program since seventh grade…
Continue ReadingGovernor Tomblin declares “GEAR UP for College Week” in recognition of West Virginia’s success with national college readiness program
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor Tomblin has designated this week as “GEAR UP for College Week” to recognize the impact and achievements of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a national grant program through the United States Department of Education that launched in West Virginia in 2008. Its mission is to help students pursue and achieve education and training beyond high school. Since 2008, nearly 13,000 students in ten counties – Boone, Clay, Lincoln, McDowell, Mingo, Roane, Summers, Webster, Wirt, and Wyoming – have received college counseling and academic support through GEAR UP, which is coordinated by…
Continue Reading2013 STaR Symposium to feature NY Times columnist and Nova Science Now Host, David Pogue
Charleston, WV, September 18, 2013 – David Pogue, science author, New York Times columnist and host of PBS’s Nova Science Now, will be the keynote presenter at the 5th Biennial Science, Technology & Research (STaR) Symposium, to take place Oct. 22-23 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, conference organizers announced today. Dr. Jan Taylor, director of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Division of Science & Research, said, “This year’s STaR Symposium theme, appropriate for an energy state like West Virginia, is The Evolution of Energy: From Scarcity to Abundance. We’ll look at the issues surrounding energy development…
Continue ReadingChancellor Hill: Hitting “restart” for those who have stopped out
For so many people who have some college credits but are no longer enrolled, the desire to walk across the stage to a degree is strong, but the prospect of returning to school is daunting. There are hosts of roadblocks, from finances to a lack of extra time and family commitments, so it’s our job at the public higher education level to even out the road for returning students. In West Virginia, we have placed an increased emphasis on helping adult learners complete their postsecondary education. And the good news is that our efforts are paying off. We are graduating…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Policy Commission announces newly-elected officers
Charleston, W.Va. — The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) today formally announced its newly-elected officers. Dr. Bruce Berry serves as Chair, Jenny Allen serves as Vice Chair, and Kathy Eddy continues to serve as Secretary. They were elected during a June special meeting. Friday’s regularly-scheduled Commission meeting will be the first led by the new officers. David Hendrickson has served as Chair for the past four years. “Our new officers bring a wealth of diverse experience and a passion for moving West Virginia’s higher education system forward,” said Dr. Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “I thank David Hendrickson for his years of forward-looking leadership…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia Students and Educators Attend 2013 Student Success Summit
Article: WBOY The State Department of Education, community college system, and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission collaborate for the Student Success Summit. The Summit looks at the education system from elementary school through college. Its goal is to better serve students so they’re more likely to finish high school and go into post-secondary training. Students and educators from around the state attended the event, started August 5 and will continue August 6. Scott High School Higher Education Readiness Officers, or HEROs, went to learn how to better their outreach program lead by students. “We want to get a…
Continue ReadingStatewide College Application and Exploration Week assists students with college prep
Article: West Virginia Executive Magazine View the original article Jessica Kennedy West Virginia needs 20,000 more college graduates by 2018 to meet work force demands, but state officials say many students are skipping a critical first step in the college-planning process—submitting a college application. To help more students complete that task, the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) will host its third annual College Application and Exploration Week from October 1st-5th. College Application and Exploration Week is a statewide outreach event during which the state’s secondary schools, higher education institutions and other community organizations focus on helping students explore their…
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Governor Earl Ray Tomblin: A promise that is paying off
Like so many West Virginians, Crystin Povenski and her siblings were raised by parents who instilled in them the importance of hard work and the value of learning. She worked hard and, as a result of her good grades in high school and commitment to attending college in the Mountain State, she received a PROMISE Scholarship. After earning her degree from West Virginia University (WVU), Crystin was determined to begin her career in the state she loves. She said it was important for her to exhaust all job search efforts in West Virginia before considering looking elsewhere. Crystin reached her…
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