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More than 70 high schools across West Virginia to celebrate college-bound seniors through “College Decision Day” events
CHARLESTON, WV – More than 70 high schools across West Virginia will recognize seniors who have committed to continuing their education or training after graduation through “College Decision Day” events, which will run from April until June. This campaign, coordinated annually through College for West Virginia (CFWV), provides schools with the opportunity to celebrate students who have committed to entering a certificate program, a career or technical program, a two- or four-year degree program, an apprenticeship program or military service. “Every year through College Decision Day events, we have the opportunity to celebrate students who have made the life-changing commitment…
Continue ReadingCollege student leaders across West Virginia launch Green Bandana Initiative to create greater visibility for student mental health
CHARLESTON, WV – West Virginia’s Advisory Council of Students (ACS), which comprises student government representatives from each of the state’s public colleges and universities, has launched the West Virginia Green Bandana Initiative, which is shining a brighter light on student mental health on campuses statewide. Through the initiative, students who complete mental health training this spring receive green bandanas that, when displayed on their backpacks or elsewhere, signal to other students that they are open to talking and are a source of support. According to a recent national survey, two-thirds (67 percent) of college students say that they have faced…
Continue ReadingStudent leaders from high schools and colleges kick off second year of the West Virginia Student Success Leadership Council
CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Student Success Leadership Council (WVSSLC) kicked off its second year in a virtual conference last week attended by 55 student leaders representing 49 high schools and six colleges and universities across the state. The WVSSLC, an initiative of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, Community and Technical College System of West Virginia, and West Virginia Department of Education, is driven by its student members, who work together to help create a college-going culture in their schools and communities. Through a virtual roundtable atmosphere, students talk about how they can help more of their…
Continue ReadingTeams from George Washington High School and Sherman High School advance in final WV Academic Showdown regional competition at West Virginia State University
INSTITUTE, WV – Teams from George Washington High School and Sherman High School took first and second place honors (respectively) at the final West Virginia Academic Showdown regional competition, which was hosted today by West Virginia State University. These teams have qualified for the statewide championship in Charleston on March 25. Nine teams from Charleston Catholic High School, George Washington High School, Nitro High School, Riverside High School, Sherman High School and South Charleston High School competed today. “I’m very grateful that George Washington has been able to maintain a quiz bowl team for four years. I’m happy with the performance of this…
Continue ReadingPromise Scholarship eligibility requirements adjusted for high school graduating classes of 2022 and 2023
CHARLESTON, WV – To help more students qualify for the West Virginia Promise Scholarship, the state’s Higher Education Policy Commission has approved temporary changes to the merit-based scholarship program for the high school graduating classes of 2022 and 2023. These adjustments come as students continue working academically to overcome challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. For students in the high school graduating classes of 2022 and 2023, the test score requirements to qualify for Promise are as follows: ACT composite score – 21 (regularly 22); ACT English score – 19 (regularly 20); ACT Reading score – 19 (regularly 20); ACT…
Continue ReadingTeams from Greenbrier East High School and PikeView High School advance in WV Academic Showdown competition hosted by Concord University
ATHENS, WV – Teams from Greenbrier East High School and PikeView High School took first and second place honors (respectively) at today’s West Virginia Academic Showdown competition hosted by Concord University. These teams have qualified for the statewide championship in Charleston on March 25. Two teams from Greenbrier East and one team from PikeView participated in today’s competition. “This has been an exciting experience for me and my team,” said Jason Ream of Greenbrier East High School. “I really want to thank our coaches for preparing us for the competition.” “It’s great to represent my school and county,” said Samuel Chambers…
Continue ReadingTeams 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…
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