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Jessica Tice
304-558-0699
jessica.tice@wvhepc.edu
WV Public Broadcasting: Texting: Is it the key to a better college transition?
By Liz McCormick We use text messaging for a variety of things; to chat with family and friends, to check-in with a coworker, or send a photo, but what about for academics? The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has been a pioneer in helping to develop a national text message counseling program that helps first-time college students transition more easily into college life. This year, that program goes statewide. Read the full story »
Continue ReadingWest Virginia Center for Nursing awards $225,000 in scholarships
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Center for Nursing announced today that 76 students will receive funds totaling $225,000 as part of the Nursing Scholarship Program. The program, which is administered by the West Virginia Center for Nursing in conjunction with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, helps licensed practical, registered, masters and doctoral nursing students pursue their degrees. April Shapiro, who received a $10,000 award for the fall and spring semesters, plans to use her scholarship in order to finish her Ph.D. in nursing at West Virginia University. She will continue to teach nursing in West Virginia in order to…
Continue ReadingJan Taylor: STEM education not just for kids (Daily Mail)
I believe that all kids are little scientists. This is especially evident when they ask all those “why” and “how” questions. By ensuring they continue to experience the fun and excitement of science as they grow older, we can create a new generation of scientists, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs who will, in turn, grow our state’s economy. But, is it possible to reignite a love of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects in people who are a little older? We at the Higher Education Policy Commission’s Division of Science and Research believe it’s more than possible. The idea…
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Higher Education Policy Commission offers guidance on student loan borrowing
Eight tips for financing higher education CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Students across West Virginia are busy checking off a long to-do list as they head off to college: purchasing text books, outfitting dorm rooms, making last-minute schedule changes and, for many, finding the resources to pay for it all. Student loans can help close funding gaps between college savings, scholarships and grants, but financial aid administrators from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission are advising students and families to think carefully in making borrowing decisions. “Without a doubt, choosing to pursue education and training beyond high school is a sound…
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West Virginia students ‘GEAR UP’ for college during summer academy at West Virginia State University
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – This summer, students had the chance to experience life on a college campus during GEAR UP U, a college preparation academy held June 22-25 at West Virginia State University. More than 130 students from central and southern West Virginia attended the event, which was hosted by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s federally funded “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)” initiative. GEAR UP offers free services in ten counties to help more students enroll and succeed in higher education and advanced training programs. Students took classes taught by college professors, participated in leadership workshops and gained…
Continue ReadingState Journal: Report: WV public higher ed makes $2.7 billion annual impact on the state
According to research by West Virginia University, the state’s 21 public institutions of higher education contributed approximately $2.7 billion to the Mountain State’s economy in 2014. The research also showed that the public institutions supported 22,000 jobs. The study, commissioned by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and completed by the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research, centered on West Virginia’s 12 four-year institutions and nine two–year institutions. The two institutions that were the largest contributors to the overall impact were West Virginia University (main campus) at $1.4 billion and Marshall University at $397.7 million. The impact numbers for…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia’s public higher education institutions have $2.7 billion impact on state
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia’s 21 public institutions of higher education contributed approximately $2.7 billion to the state’s economy in 2014, according to a report released today by the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER). The research also showed that the public institutions supported 22,000 jobs. The study, commissioned by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, centered around West Virginia’s 12 four-year institutions and nine two–year institutions. Additionally, when combined with tuition, student spending and other sources of revenue, the economic impact of these institutions was nearly seven times the amount of the state’s appropriation for the…
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Gazette-Mail: High school students work with educators to get classmates to college
MORGANTOWN — Nearly 500 educators came to Morgantown for a two-day Student Success Summit, a conference that tries to connect the dots between educators of every grade, from preschool all the way through college. Here, students aren’t seen as passive recipients in the education system. They are not just kids to be taught at for eight hours a day. They are partners in education, a source of new ideas and an opportunity to try new things. Several of the panels and even the keynote address from Mark Moore, director of the state Department of Education’s Employee Development Center, highlighted ways…
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Video: 2016 CFWV Youth Summit
Students from six high schools — Berkeley Springs, Paw Paw, Riverside, Spring Valley, Tolsia and Wayne County — sent teams of students to the 2016 Youth Summit, hosted July 26-28 as part of the Commission’s College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) initiative. Students learned leadership skills and strategies to build and strengthen a college-going culture in their communities. They will return to their high schools to launch Higher Education Readiness Officers (HEROs) groups this fall.
Continue ReadingPK-12, higher education leaders to discuss future of education in W.Va. during sixth annual Student Success Summit
Summit to focus on collaboration, action to improve state’s education systems MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Nearly 500 education administrators, teachers, students, military leaders and community group members will join forces this week to find better ways to support students and increase educational achievement in the Mountain State. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Department of Education will host the sixth annual statewide Student Success Summit on Wednesday, July 27 and Thursday, July 28 at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel and Conference Center in Morgantown. The Summit focuses on encouraging collaboration across the full length of the education…
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W.Va. higher education administrator receives national recognition for promoting college access
Washington, D.C. – Dr. Adam S. Green, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, was honored in Washington, D.C. yesterday for his work in assisting students in earning a college diploma. Dr. Green was presented the national “GEAR UP Professional of the Year,” award during the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships conference. The award is given to one or two individuals each year who have demonstrated outstanding work in promoting the goals of the “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)” project,…
Continue ReadingCollege Foundation of West Virginia sees promising early results in providing college counseling through text messaging
Charleston, W.Va. – During a meeting of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission held today, state officials announced that a pilot project to provide college counseling through text messaging is yielding encouraging results. The project, which is part of the Commission’s statewide College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) outreach initiative, provides students with a series of text message reminders to help them succeed in college. Students can text back anytime to receive free assistance from a counselor. Dr. Ben Castleman and Katharine Meyer, researchers from the University of Virginia, recently released a working paper outlining early results from the effort. Their…
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For class of 2016, more than 3,500 students awarded PROMISE scholarship
West Virginia providing $92 million in college financial aid this academic year Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission today announced that more than 3,500 students who graduated from high school this year have been awarded PROMISE Scholarships, annual awards of up to $4,750 they can use beginning this fall toward tuition and fees at colleges and universities in West Virginia. Students are receiving award letters in their mailboxes this week. Additional PROMISE Scholarships may be awarded as eligible students are identified through June 2016 ACT and SAT testing scores. “Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and the West Virginia…
Continue ReadingNational College Access Network: How three cities plan to boost FAFSA completion
In May, NCAN announced the 22 U.S. cities we chose to receive up to $55,000 each for the FAFSA Completion Challenge Grant. Through this project, generously supported through a $1.6 million grant from The Kresge Foundation, NCAN is challenging the 22 cities to increase FAFSA completion rates by at least 5 percent for the graduating high school class of 2017. Two significant changes to the FAFSA coming this fall will make applying for aid easier and better-timed than ever for low-income students. The grant funding will support the planning and execution of citywide, cross-sector FAFSA completion efforts for the 2016-17…
Continue Reading200 eighth grade students to attend ‘GEAR UP U’ at West Virginia State University
For Planning Purposes: June 21, 2016 Contact: Jessica Kennedy, Director of Communications and Outreach Division of Student Affairs (304) 532-0911 – cell jessica.kennedy@wvhepc.edu 200 eighth grade students to attend ‘GEAR UP U’ at West Virginia State University When: June 22-25, 2016 What: GEAR UP U is a four-day, three-night summer academy for West Virginia GEAR UP students in the eighth grade. Students will live on campus, learn more about college, participate in classes, develop leadership skills, and meet students from across the state. Additional information, including the camp schedule, is available at www.wvgearup.org/u Who: 200 eighth grade students participating in…
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West Virginia student named to national ‘GEAR UP’ leadership academy
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…
Continue ReadingGazette-Mail: Grant to help Kanawha students get help with financial aid
Charleston is one of 22 metropolitan areas nationwide to receive a $55,000 grant geared toward getting more high school seniors to complete the paperwork to get financial aid. The grant, from the National College Access Network, was announced Tuesday morning by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. The award comes as the commission celebrates earlier news that, according to NCAN, West Virginia was one of only four states in the country to increase its number of students who completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The federal government requires every student to submit the form before…
Continue ReadingExponent Telegram: FAFSA completion rate good news for West Virginia
The recent news that 52 percent of West Virginia high school seniors completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is good news for the state. Young people who complete this process become eligible for student aid, such as grants, scholarships and loans, that can help them obtain a college education. Some West Virginia students who see the cost of a college tuition, plus what they might have to pay for room and board, and feel overwhelmed. But there’s lots of help for those who are eligible, and that’s especially true for those who are economically disadvantaged. All that…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Policy Commission and Kanawha County Schools awarded grant to improve FAFSA completion rates
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) announced today that the agency has secured a $55,000 grant from the National College Access Network (NCAN), a nonprofit focusing on ensuring equal access to higher education. The grant will fund a project in partnership with Kanawha County Schools (KCS) to increase the number of 12th graders completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The announcement comes on the heels of recent news that West Virginia has jumped to fourth in the nation in ensuring students complete the FAFSA — a crucial step toward preparing for college. “We are delighted to…
Continue ReadingMetroNews: W.Va. among top states with high FAFSA completions rates
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…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia ranks fourth in the nation in FAFSA completion rates
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…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Policy Commission approves new president at West Virginia State University
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission voted unanimously today to grant final approval of the West Virginia State University Board of Governors’ recent selection of Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins as the institution’s 11th president. “We look forward to working with Dr. Jenkins as he takes the helm at West Virginia State University during this critically important time for higher education in West Virginia – a time when it is imperative that we produce more college graduates prepared to move our state forward,” said Dr. Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “We also thank President Brian Hemphill for…
Continue ReadingWBOY: West Virginia Student Leadership Conference Kicks Off in Jackson’s Mill
Full Story College students from around the state are learning more about how to lead at Jackson’s Mill this week. The West Virginia Student Leadership Conference kicked off in Jackson’s Mill Monday. The annual event connects students to campus leaders from around the state to help engage their campuses and each other. Organizers said that’s exactly how they want to enable their students. “We want to help them be more effective leaders. We know our students want to lead, and we think part of leadership is learning how to be better at that. Leadership is a skill that can be…
Continue ReadingCollege students come together to promote student leadership on campus
WESTON, W.Va. – College students from across West Virginia are meeting at Jackson’s Mill this week to learn new ways to strengthen their campus communities. More than 75 student representatives from West Virginia’s public two-year and four-year colleges and universities are participating in the annual West Virginia Student Leadership Conference, which kicks off today and continues through Wednesday. The conference is sponsored by the West Virginia Community and Technical College System (WVCTCS), the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and Shepherd University. During the conference, students will attend breakout sessions focused on helping them inspire and engage their classmates…
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Governor Earl Ray Tomblin: Sending our kids off to college helps keep them here at home
Over the past few weeks, families across the state hugged their children goodbye and sent them off to college. For many, it was a bittersweet and emotional moment filled with both pride and sorrow, worry and relief. But we can all take heart. Because earning a college degree puts students on a path to fulfilling their dreams – and for many, that path leads back home. A recent study commissioned by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and conducted by researchers at the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research found that the majority of the Mountain State’s in-state…
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