Principals and counselors receive ‘Champion of College Access and Success’ Awards
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Principals, counselors, and staff from 45 high schools across West Virginia were recognized for their schools’ efforts to inform students of higher education opportunities after graduation. The “Champion of College Access and Success” recognition awards are annually presented by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical Education to select schools that go above and beyond to help students and their families plan for college.
Representatives from the Champion schools attended an award ceremony at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, West Virginia. The award ceremony took place during the West Virginia Board of Governors Summit which included representatives from West Virginia higher education institutions and community and business leaders. During the proceedings, attendees were given the opportunity to discuss challenges facing postsecondary attainment in West Virginia and brainstorm creative solutions to increasing college access and readiness.
“The Champion for College Access and Success award is a chance to recognize schools and administrators that go above and beyond to help students receive all the necessary tools and information to be successful after high school,” stated Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor for Higher Education. “As the professional landscape in West Virginia, and across the nation changes, it is vital that students have some form of postsecondary education or training. The schools recognized today are exemplary in their efforts to create a college-going culture.”
For high schools to be considered a Champion of College Access and Success, they must participate in and meet certain criteria three college-planning milestone events during the school year:
College Application and Exploration Week
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion Campaign
College Decision Day Initiative
Each of these milestones has specific components to help college-bound students in West Virginia prepare for and make the transition to college. The Higher Education Policy Commission, together with the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical Education, provide financial aid and college application information, training and support to high schools, as well as event-planning assistance.
The schools receiving the Champion recognition are:
- Buffalo High School
- Chapmanville Regional High School
- Cross Lanes Christian School
- Doddridge County High School
- Fairmont Senior High School
- George Washington High School
- Hampshire High School
- Hannan Junior/Senior High School
- Hedgesville High School
- Hundred High School
- Hurricane High School
- Keyser High School
- Lewis County High School
- Liberty High School (Raleigh)
- Logan Senior High School
- Magnolia High School
- Mingo Central Comprehensive High School
- Montcalm High School
- Morgantown High School
- Nicholas County High School
- Paw Paw High School
- Philip Barbour High School
- PikeView High School
- Poca High School
- Point Pleasant Junior/Senior High School
- Preston High School
- Ripley High School
- River View High School
- Scott High School
- Shady Spring High School
- Sissonville High School
- Spring Valley High School
- Summers County High School
- Teays Valley Christian School
- Tug Valley High School
- Tyler Consolidated High School
- University High School
- Valley High School
- Van Junior/Senior High School
- Wahama Junior/Senior High School
- Wayne High School
- Webster County High School
- Winfield High School
- Wirt County High School
- Wyoming East High School
In 2018, Gov. Jim Justice set the goal to have 60 percent of the state’s workforce with a formal education credential beyond high school by the year 2030. That statewide campaign, known as “West Virginia’s Climb,” is a collaborative effort among the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical Education, the West Virginia Department of Education, WorkForce West Virginia, and the private sector.
For more information about Champions of College Access and Success and college planning events, visit the College for West Virginia website at cfwvconnect.com/champion.
College for West Virginia, the student services face of the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical Education, is a partner in West Virginia’s Climb.
To view photos from the Champion of College Access and Success Awards Ceremony, click here.