The grant, written by the BSC Research & Development Corporation's Summer Development Program, was submitted for consideration by the Incentive Grant for State Priorities Review Committee. That body recommended, and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, approved, a $35,000 grant award to underwrite the "Southern West Virginia Literacy Center" at Bluefield State College.

"Resources provided through the grant will permit the College to serve, on a one-on-one basis, a maximum of 100 adults not presently being served," noted Dr. Felica Blanks, President of the BSC Research & Development Corp. Dr. Blanks, who submitted the grant, stressed that the grant's strategy for success includes partnering with CASE of West Virginia, the Windy Mountain Learning Center, and the Mercer County Learning Center to maximize productivity and results.

Dr. Donald W. Caudill (BSC Professor of Marketing and Director of the Appalachian Leadership and Entrepreneurial Center) and Ewanna Wiley (BSC Student Support Services Counselor) were co-authors of the grant. "The Southern West Virginia Literacy Center program will be beneficial in many ways," Dr. Caudill explained. "First, the program will assist stakeholders with developing basic literacy skills. Second, it will provide a mechanism for reducing barriers by providing a transition program to college and ultimately the workforce."

"Finally,' Wiley added, "the program has the potential to foster improvements in self- esteem among students who participate." Dr. Debbie Halsey-Hunter, Interim Chair of the BSC Division of Business, has dedicated a site within Mahood Hall (the Business Division's center of operations) to house the Literacy Center. There, trained literacy volunteers will interact with students on an individual basis in liaison with the Windy Mountain learning Center and the Mercer County Learning Center.

Plans are proceeding to prepare for, and begin, classes later this year. The Literacy Center will focus upon assisting GED and pre-GED adults to develop and enhance their literacy skills. "The program will provide literacy training, assistance with GED education, and exposure to higher education, and will help alleviate illiteracy that constrains many individuals from competing successfully for job opportunities and concurrently augmenting the competitiveness of this region's work force," Blanks summarized.

October 17, 2002