CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Fairmont State University announced Wednesday that it would award 10 West Virginia students each with a $1,000 scholarship. The university made the announcement during the annual Student Leadership Academy event at the Clay Center. The event, which was hosted by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s (HEPC’s) federally funded “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate … Read More
Recap: GEAR UP U 2017
GEAR UP U was a 4-day/3-night summer academy held at Concord University from June 14-17. Participants lived on campus, took fun classes, developed their leadership skills, and met students from across the state. More than 150 rising tenth graders participated in GEAR UP U 2017. Check out the photo album!
Recap: First West Virginia GEAR UP Career Academy
More than 80 career representatives showcased career opportunities available in West Virginia during the inaugural West Virginia GEAR UP Career Academy. The event gave more than 1,000 ninth graders the opportunity to learn about different careers, from construction and aviation management to wildlife biology and corrections. Two nationally recognized speakers known for their contributions to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math … Read More
Mentor Spotlight: Brianne Solomon
Brianne Solomon poses with the fresh flowers her Student Success Society members gave her in honor of National #ThankYourMentor Day. The Mindset “Instead of my students worrying about if they can succeed, I want them to worry about when they will succeed.” That was the response Brianne Solomon, a Student Success Society sponsor at Hannan High School, gave when she ... Read More
News Release: West Virginia GEAR UP launches Student Success Society in area high schools
Originally published on the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s website on January 19, 2017. CHARLESTON, W.VA. — Brenda Smith, a counselor at Westside High School in Wyoming County, has been working with students for more than 30 years. Her experience has taught her that when students feel like they are part of something bigger, they are far more likely … Read More
Article: The Impact of Mentoring
For young people, having a trusted, caring adult in their corner can mean everything. While this sentence used to be a common-sense assumption, it is now supported by strong research-based evidence. According to the National Mentoring Partnership, at-risk youth1 who have a mentor in their lives experience numerous benefits, like being more likely than their peers to hold leadership roles … Read More
Independent Herald: Pineville Middle to host event focusing on finances
Originally published in the Independent Herald on December 4, 2015. Pineville Middle School is hosting a free workshop on Thursday, December 10, to help eighth grade students and their families learn about budgeting, finances and paying for college. The event is sponsored by West Virginia GEAR UP, a federally funded program to help students pursue some form of education and ... Read More
Register-Herald: Local schools recognized for increasing number of students considering college
Share this PostThis article was posted in the Register-Herald on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 By Sarah Plummer REGISTER-HERALD REPORTER The College Foundation of West Virginia is recognizing 32 high schools in West Virginia that have met or exceeded the state’s 2015 goal for increasing the number of 12th-graders who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA). Several local ... Read More
Video: 2015 Student Leadership Academy
More than 1,300 eighth graders attended the West Virginia ‘GEAR UP’ Student Leadership Academy held yesterday at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences. ‘GEAR UP,’ which stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,” is a federally funded college readiness program coordinated by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. During the event, students learned about ... Read More
Video: Mascot Mania 2015 Dance Off
West Virginia GEAR UP hosted its first "Mascot Mania" dance-off competition during the 2015 Student Leadership Academy.