West Virginia GEAR UP Student Leadership Academy inspires 1,500 students from across the state

CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia GEAR UP program, which helps thousands of West Virginia students plan for their futures, today hosted its annual Student Leadership Academy at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston. This year’s event brought together nearly 1,500 enthusiastic West Virginia GEAR UP students from across the state to learn valuable leadership skills and stay motivated to pursue their dreams through higher education.

As part of the event this year, students were treated to an inspiring keynote address by motivational speaker, Aric Bostic, who has presented educational leadership programs to students across the nation. During the Academy, Bostick delivered an interactive address that gave students social and emotional strategies for dealing with adversity. His message focused on relationship-building with peers, mentors, and teachers and providing students with tools and strategies to achieve their academic and career aspirations.

In addition, the event featured a lively game show experience presented by ThinkFast Interactive. The team trivia-style game show brought students to their feet. Questions ranged from pop culture to college financial aid programs.

Jason Luyster, Senior Director of Student Affairs at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, emphasized the significance of the GEAR UP program in the state.

“West Virginia GEAR UP helps shape the future of our young students by, not only providing them with the knowledge they need to be college and career ready, but also imparting leadership skills and the tools necessary for them to pursue a successful future,” Luyster said. “Events like today’s Student Leadership Academy get students out of their comfort zone and spark the courage they need to not only set goals, but also to take steps toward achieving them.”

West Virginia GEAR UP is committed to providing students with the tools they need to thrive academically and personally. The Student Leadership Academy is just one example of how West Virginia GEAR UP continues to inspire and empower youth throughout the Mountain State.

“GEAR UP,” which stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,” helps students pursue their dreams of earning a college diploma or skillset certificate. West Virginia GEAR UP is a federally funded program managed by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. It serves thousands of students in eleven different counties.

The GEAR UP program operates on seven-year cycles. The Commission is administering its third consecutive GEAR UP grant, which began in 2021 and will conclude in 2028. For more information about West Virginia GEAR UP, visit wvgearup.org.

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