( Bluefield)—About 40 students from selected high schools in southern West Virginia will participate in the second annual four-day “College Summit” workshop at Bluefield State College, June 29-July 2. With an emphasis upon 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 a series 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.”

"In West Virginia, we have so much potential talent 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. “We’re grateful for the support provided by the Upperclassman II, the participating high schools, college personnel, and College Summit staff and administrators,” Johns-Gattuso observed.

June 23, 2006