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Teams from Berkeley Springs High School and Spring Mills High School advance in WV Academic Showdown competition hosted by Shepherd University
CHARLESTON, WV – Teams from Berkeley Springs High School and Spring Mills High School took first and second place honors, respectively, at the second West Virginia Academic Showdown competition hosted by Shepherd University today. These two teams have qualified for the statewide championship in Charleston on March 25. “The validation is overwhelming,” said Matthew Leasure, team captain from Berkeley Springs High School. “I’m sure it’s going to mean the world to our high school because we don’t have many academic opportunities like this, so I’m sure that we’ll make Morgan County proud at states.” “This is our first time competing, and…
Continue ReadingTeams from Tug Valley High School and Ripley High School advance in first WV Academic Showdown Competition hosted by Marshall University
CHARLESTON, WV – Teams from Tug Valley High School and Ripley High School took first and second place honors, respectively, at the first West Virginia Academic Showdown competition hosted by Marshall University today. These two teams have qualified for the statewide championship in Charleston on March 25. Additional teams competing today were Logan Senior High School, Spring Valley High School, and Wayne High School. “I’m definitely excited about going to Charleston and having the opportunity to compete in an academic competition,” said Cassidy Griffey, team captain from Tug Valley High School. “Today was really exciting for me and for Tug Valley…
Continue ReadingAcademic Showdown brings scholarly competition to the Mountain State
CHARLESTON, WV – A new academic competition for West Virginia high school students will bring teams together from across the state for regional matchups. West Virginia Senate President Craig Blair, State Board of Education President Miller Hall, State Superintendent of Schools W. Clayton Burch and West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education Sarah Armstrong Tucker announced the new Academic Showdown during a press conference at the State Capitol today. The West Virginia Academic Showdown is a head-to-head competition between West Virginia high school teams, and a partnership among the West Virginia Department of Education, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission,…
Continue ReadingMental Health Loan Repayment Program accepting applications from licensed mental health professionals practicing in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is now accepting applications for the Mental Health Loan Repayment Program, which provides loan repayment for licensed mental health professionals practicing in underserved communities in West Virginia. “Mental health providers across our state provide a truly invaluable service to West Virginians living in underserved areas. Perhaps more than ever before, we need as many committed counselors, social workers, and therapists as possible continuing to work in our communities” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “Through this loan repayment program, we can ease a financial burden…
Continue ReadingDeadline approaching for high school seniors interested in becoming WV teachers to apply for $40,000 scholarship
CHARLESTON, WV – Current high school seniors who are interested in becoming teachers in West Virginia have until December 31 of this year to apply for the state’s newest and most prestigious scholarship, the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program. This scholarship, now entering its third year, provides up to $10,000 per year – or $40,000 total – for 25 new scholars each year from a national applicant pool. “Teaching is one of the most important and rewarding careers a student can choose to pursue. Our Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars represent West Virginia’s most promising future teachers, and we’re ready to welcome even…
Continue ReadingNew program offering alternatives to textbooks saves West Virginia college students $250,000 in pilot semesters
CHARLESTON, WV – Earlier this year, West Virginia’s public higher education office launched a program, Open Learning WV, that gives faculty the opportunity to implement Open Educational Resources (OER) as alternatives to traditional textbooks for their students. When the program was piloted in the spring 2021 semester, 34 faculty members created or adopted OER, and a handful more faculty adopted OER over the summer – resulting in more than $250,000 in savings for approximately 1,200 students. “Going to college in West Virginia remains incredibly affordable thanks to our state financial aid programs, but something like costly textbooks can result in…
Continue ReadingProfessor Stephen Criniti named West Virginia’s Professor of the Year
CHARLESTON, WV – At the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s meeting last Friday, Chancellor Sarah Armstrong Tucker – who also serves on the board of the Faculty Merit Foundation – announced that Stephen F. Criniti, Ph.D., Professor of English at West Liberty University, has been named the 2020 Professor of the Year. “Thank you for naming me Professor of the Year,” Dr. Criniti said. “I’m humbled that you’ve allowed me to be counted among the many excellent professors who have received or have been nominated for this honor. I am grateful to Dr. Sylvia Senften and Dr. Jeremy Larance…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Policy Commission revokes Ohio Valley University’s authorization to confer degrees, approves master’s degree programs at Glenville State College and Bluefield State College
CHARLESTON, WV – During its meeting today, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) voted unanimously to revoke Ohio Valley University’s (OVU) authorization to confer degrees in the state beginning on June 30, 2022. This timeline will allow OVU to teach out students planning to graduate this spring. No enrollment of other students will be permitted in the spring. Ohio Valley University scheduled a transfer fair on campus today for students to support them in their next steps. “Our foremost priority right now is to help these students, however we can, as they approach the end of this semester,”…
Continue ReadingOver 400 West Virginia schools to participate in statewide “College Application and Exploration Week”
CHARLESTON, WV – “College Application and Exploration Week” will be celebrated statewide on Nov. 1 – 5. Students, from pre-school to adult learners, will participate in hands-on and virtual college planning activities, such as college application workshops, panel discussions with current college students, college scavenger hunts, and trivia contests. Through all of the activities, they will learn about the many college options available to them, including certificate programs, career and technical programs, two-year degree programs, four-year degree programs, and military experience. Events will occur throughout the week at more than 400 elementary, middle and high schools, along with adult education…
Continue ReadingColleges and universities across West Virginia to celebrate successes of first-generation students on November 8
CHARLESTON, WV – College for West Virginia (CFWV) is joining a national effort to celebrate the successes and contributions of first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni in West Virginia. On November 8, colleges, universities, campus student support programs, and other partners will celebrate the success of first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni across the state. Celebrations will include campus events featuring notable first-generation alumni, highlights of first-generation students and programs, first-generation faculty discussions in classrooms, workshops that help promote student success and retention, and much more. “First-generation college students and graduates are trailblazers in West Virginia,” said Dr.…
Continue ReadingSixteen high schools across West Virginia recognized for strong efforts to help students plan for college
Click here to download photos from the award presentation CHARLESTON, WV – Principals, counselors, and staff from 16 high schools across the state are being recognized for their schools’ efforts to inform students of higher education opportunities after graduation. The “Champion of College Access and Success” recognition awards are annually presented by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to select schools that go above and beyond to help students and their families plan for college. Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education, said staff at all high schools across the state are working diligently to help…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia awarded $24 million federal “GEAR UP” college-readiness grant to support students over the next seven years
CHARLESTON, WV – Students in eleven West Virginia counties will have extra help preparing for college and career training programs, thanks to a $24 million grant awarded to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission). The U.S. Department of Education has announced that the Commission will receive a “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs” (GEAR UP) grant – its third consecutive GEAR UP award – to support college-planning and readiness services for more than 17,500 students over the next seven years. “This is absolutely tremendous news for some of West Virginia’s most deserving and rural communities. I’m really…
Continue ReadingState’s financial aid webinar series kicking off Sept. 13 to help West Virginia students and families plan for college
CHARLESTON, WV – Kicking off Sept. 13, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System are launching a series of 20 financial aid webinars for students and families as they prepare for the college-going process. The series, which runs through April 5, will cover general financial aid information, details on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and information specific to the Promise Scholarship, West Virginia Invests Grant, Higher Education Grant, Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program, and Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship. “West Virginia offers more than $100 million each year in financial aid for…
Continue ReadingWV higher education office awards grants that support student mental health programs across state campuses
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System are awarding nearly $60,000 in grants to improve student mental health at colleges and universities across the state. And, to further support institutions and students studying in health and human services fields, the agencies are planning a Mental Health Summit on Nov. 2 for students pursuing degrees in healthcare and behavioral health. “We know that student wellness is a core component of student achievement,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “Through these grants and this training, we hope to better…
Continue ReadingState unveils new and expanded ‘College for West Virginia’ online tools to help students and families plan, apply, and pay for college
CHARLESTON, WV – West Virginia’s central higher education office is expanding and revamping its online presence to make it easier for students and families to explore the state’s wide range of financial aid and college planning programs. West Virginia’s Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and Community and Technical College System (CTCS) today unveiled “College for West Virginia” as a new and expanded resource for West Virginians planning for postsecondary education. This expansion represents a rebrand of CFWV.com, the state’s college- and career-planning web portal previously known as the College Foundation of West Virginia, and the launch of its sister site,…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia names 25 high school graduates as this year’s Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars
CHARLESTON, WV – Twenty-five high school seniors who graduated this year have been selected as West Virginia’s second cohort of Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars. These students will receive the state’s newest and most prestigious scholarship of up to $10,000 per year – or $40,000 total – for their college education as they prepare to pursue rewarding careers as West Virginia teachers. “I’m incredibly proud of these young scholars, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish over the next four years and beyond,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor for Higher Education. “We worked with the Legislature and…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Policy Commission’s new state science and technology plan seeks to attract federal research dollars and high-tech industry to the Mountain State
CHARLESTON, WV – If West Virginia wants to attract the high-tech employers and federal research dollars it needs to diversify its economy, then the state must develop its science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) talent pipeline, expand the efforts of its research universities, encourage innovation, and help small businesses and high-tech companies grow. Those are the goals set out in Vision 2025: West Virginia Science & Technology Plan (S&T Plan), the strategic plan for science and research that was released today by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. “As West Virginia’s economy continues to shift and develop, our state must…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Policy Commission honors outgoing chair, approves temporary changes for Promise Scholarship and Higher Education Grant
CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission today honored Huntington attorney Michael J. Farrell, Esq., who has served as the Commission’s chairman for the past four years. Andrew “Drew” Payne III, who has worked in the financial industry for more than 30 years, will succeed Farrell, who will now serve as vice chair. Diana Lewis Jackson, the founder, president and CEO of Action Facilities Management in Morgantown, will continue serving as secretary. “Chairman Farrell is a true champion for our higher education system and students, advocating steadily for West Virginians to have affordable access to public postsecondary…
Continue ReadingThis Saturday: College Bound Saturday events offering free financial aid support for West Virginia students at sites statewide
CHARLESTON, WV – This Saturday, West Virginia students in the high school graduating classes of 2020 and 2021 can receive help navigating the college-planning process during the state’s first-ever “College Bound Saturday” at sites statewide. At these free workshops, students can learn more about state and federal financial aid programs, as well as get direct help filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the first step to unlocking funds for college. College Bound Saturday events will be held at the following locations on June 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the following locations across…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia extends grant deadline, ramps up FAFSA outreach in effort to increase college-going rate among high school graduates
CHARLESTON, WV – In its regular meeting today, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission voted to extend the deadline for students applying for the West Virginia Higher Education Grant – the state’s primary need-based financial aid program – to July 1, 2021. This extension comes as West Virginia reports a 2.3 percentage point drop in the state’s college-going rate from 2019 to 2020, with 48.2 percent of last year’s public high school seniors enrolling in college in the summer or fall after graduation. “In close collaboration with the Department of Education, we’ve been working to get West Virginia’s high…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia Nursing Scholarship application opens April 15 for 2021-22 academic year
CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program, which provides awards to Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), Registered Nursing (RN), graduate and LPN teaching certificate students in exchange for service in West Virginia, begins accepting applications on April 15 for the 2021-22 academic year. The program is administered by the West Virginia Center for Nursing in conjunction with the Higher Education Policy Commission. “Building up our state’s nursing workforce is one of the best ways we can support our nurses working every day, right now, on the front lines to care for those in our communities. And it’s one of…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia Center for Nursing accepting proposals for summer nursing academies until May 1
CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Center for Nursing is accepting applications for its Nursing Academy Grant Program, which was created to encourage young people to consider careers in nursing. Nursing academies are held by healthcare organizations and schools of nursing across the state in the summer months. Most academies are held for three to seven days, allowing middle- and high-school students to learn about nursing careers through hands-on activities and shadowing experiences. “The Center is proud to continue its grant program for these nursing academies,” said Gerald Bragg, chair of the Center’s Board of Directors. “This program encourages young…
Continue ReadingMore than 1,000 health professional students from colleges and universities across West Virginia on track to help with vaccine rollout
Photo 1 link: Mary Jane Braham and Kara Howard, West Virginia University pharmacy students; Photo 2 link: Claire Miller, Marshall University nursing student CHARLESTON, WV – To assist West Virginia’s full-court-press COVID-19 vaccine rollout, more than 1,000 health professional students from colleges and universities across the state have volunteered to administer vaccines in coordination with local health departments and community health partners. This is thanks to a new initiative – the West Virginia Vaccine Administration, Collaboration, and Support (WV VACS) Team – resulting from a partnership among the National Guard, Department of Health and Human Resources, and Higher Education Policy…
Continue ReadingFirst2 Network announces summer research experiences to benefit first-generation and underrepresented college freshmen in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, WV – Incoming college freshmen in West Virginia majoring in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields can gain hands-on research experience and faculty mentoring this summer. From June through August, First2 Network (First2) – a federal initiative within the state’s Higher Education Policy Commission – will offer immersive research experiences at eight partner sites including Green Bank Observatory, High Rocks Educational Corporation, Marshall University, University of Charleston, West Virginia University, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and West Virginia State University. Underrepresented students are the focus of this initiative, with an emphasis…
Continue ReadingDeadline for West Virginia high school seniors to apply for Promise Scholarship extended until July 1
CHARLESTON, WV – In a special meeting today, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission voted to extend the deadline for current high school seniors to apply for the Promise Scholarship until July 1, 2021. Because of challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, applications for the merit-based scholarship were down 27 percent as of the original March 1 deadline compared to the same time last year, prompting Governor Jim Justice to call for an extended deadline. While the Promise application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are due by July 1, students have until the end of August…
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