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ROANOKE, W.Va. – Principals, counselors, and staff from 40 high schools across West Virginia were recognized on Friday, October 11th, for their 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 and the Council for Community and Technical Education to select schools that foster a college and career readiness culture within their communities. Representatives from the Champion schools attended an award ceremony at Stonewall Resort in conjunction with a statewide summit focused on affordable college and career pathways. The…

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…

CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System have awarded First-Generation Student Success Grants to public colleges and universities across the state. These grants, which provide funding up to $5,000, support initiatives aimed at recruiting, retaining, and fostering the success of first-generation college students. First-generation students – the first in their families to pursue higher education – face unique challenges in completing their degrees. But according to FirstGen Forward, those who complete their college education are more likely to secure employment, earn higher wages, and become more civically engaged than their peers…

Glenville, W. Va. – More than 150 rising 9th and 10th graders across the state gathered at Glenville State University’s campus from June 26 – 29 for the 2024 GEAR UP U! Summer Academy (GUU!). GUU! is a free college and career preparatory academy hosted by West Virginia GEAR UP and is free for all participants. GUU! is sponsored by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s federally funded “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs” (GEAR UP) initiative. During GUU!, students were exposed to life on a college campus. They participated in classes based on career interests, attended…

DAVIS, WV – Student government representatives and advisors from two- and four-year public colleges and universities across West Virginia gathered at Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center for the 18th annual West Virginia Student Leadership Conference (WVSLC). The WVSLC serves as a training event for student government representatives, many of whom are newly elected to their roles. During the conference, students learned leadership skills, networked with other student body leaders and higher education administrators, and shared ideas for engaging their campus communities. The event provides workshops on a variety of leadership topics. Student leaders collaborated to find solutions to issues…

Charleston, W.Va. – More than 550 educators, counselors and administrators from the pre-school, elementary, secondary and postsecondary education systems; workforce professionals; business and community leaders; military personnel; and students gathered at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center in Charleston for the West Virginia Student Success Summit on July 12 and 13, 2023. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, and the West Virginia Department of Education partner together to host the Summit every summer. The theme of this year’s Summit was Creating a Career-Ready West Virginia. The West Virginia Student Success Summit…

CHARLESTON, WV – College for West Virginia (CFWV) announced today that Liberty High School in Raleigh County has been named a recipient of the American College Application Campaign’s 2021 School of Excellence Award. This makes Liberty one of only 19 schools across the nation selected to receive this honor in recognition of their strong commitment to helping students complete their college applications and continue their education. “Our office is so proud to work with high schools across West Virginia, every single day, to help more young people pursue their college and career goals,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…