News Release
For Additional Information, Contact Jim Nelson/Media Relations
(304) 327-4103, jnelson@bluefieldstate.edu
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Dr. Brian Noland (center), Chancellor/West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WV HEPC) recently presented a $15,000 HEPC grant award to the West Virginia Access Center for Higher Education, Inc. (WVACHE), headquartered at Bluefield State College WVACHE’s efforts to encourage more West Virginia high-school students to go to college. He is pictured with Mr. Willie Rose (WVACHE Board of Directors’ member) and Ms. Sarita Rhonemus |
(Bluefield)—The West Virginia Access Center for Higher Education, Inc. (WVACHE), headquartered at Bluefield State College, has received a $15,000 grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to support the WVACHE’s efforts to encourage more West Virginia high-school students to go to college. The WVACHE is currently funding Access Projects in 15 high schools and technical centers around the Mountain State.
The purpose of the WVACHE Access Program is to support schools in encouraging and streamlining students’ progress across a major transition point in the K-20 education continuum: the transition from secondary to post-secondary education. The WVACHE awards grants on a competitive basis to high schools and technical centers to implement a proven model program of activities designed to encourage students to aspire to and pursue higher education.
Typical activities include field trips to college campuses, business alliances, parent meetings, college/career fairs, utilization of college exploration software, and teacher visits to schools and businesses. “These activities help students and their parents explore college opportunities and career possibilities while, at the same time, demystifying the college experience as well as building students’ confidence and self-esteem,” explained Sarita A. Rhonemus, WVACHE executive director.
“Post-secondary education has never been of greater importance to the well-being of individuals, their families, their communities, and to that of the state,” said WVHEPC Chancellor Brian Noland. “Unfortunately, the state of West Virginia experiences pronounced systemic challenges that… limit the likelihood of students, especially those from disadvantaged groups, from navigating the educational continuum and entering post-secondary education.”
The $15,000 grant from the WVHEPC will be used to supplement the 15 current Access Project grants awarded to high schools and technical centers throughout the Mountain State, and to provide training and support services to grantees. Based on the college-going rate increases reported by the 14 West Virginia schools funded in the recently concluded 2005–07 grant cycle, an estimated 497 additional graduating seniors enrolled in college in fall 2007 than would have without participating in a WVACHE Access Project.
“The WVACHE greatly appreciates the support of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission,” said Rhonemus. “Our efforts are dependent upon grants and donations, and this investment will help us inspire more young people in the Mountain State to attain a better quality of life for themselves and their families through higher education.”
Interested in how you can help WVACHE, for more information, please contact Sarita A. Rhonemus, WVACHE Executive Director, at 304-327-4096 or sarhonemus@wvache.org, or visit the website at www.wvache.org.
March 5, 2008
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