(Bluefield)—About 40 students from high schools in McDowell, Mingo, and Kanawha Counties will participate in a four-day “College Summit” workshop at Bluefield State College, August 4-7. With an emphasis on ensuring that West Virginia high school students who can succeed in college actually make it to college, College Summit’s presentation at BSC is one of eight conducted by the organization at West Virginia colleges and universities during the summer months.

During their workshop, students will be housed at the Upperclassman II in Bluefield. They will complete an on-line college application, receive one-on-one college counseling, and write a personal statement they can utilize for scholarships or as an entrance essay for college. They will also receive resources, training, and encouragement to strengthen the belief that they are “college capable.”

"We have so much potential talent in West Virginia that remains uncovered, commented Sarita A. Johns-Gattuso, executive director of the West Virginia Access Center for Higher Education (WVACHE). “Our mid-tier students just need someone who cares, someone who believes in them, and someone who will provide accurate information regarding access to college," West Virginia College Summit is the capstone for the WVACHE program, helping those students who don't know they are college material realize that they, too, can go to college and be successful, she added.

College Summit is a comprehensive college transition system that includes intensive summer workshops, a curriculum guide to lead students through the high school-to-life transition, and on-line tools to help students and educators manage the transition process. Additional information about College Summit can be obtained by calling College Summit West Virginia (304-346-1981) or visiting the website www.collegesummit.org

July 19, 2005