ROANOKE, W.Va. – Principals, counselors, and staff from 40 high schools across West Virginia were recognized on Friday, October 11th, for their 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 foster a college and career readiness culture within their communities.
Representatives from the Champion schools attended an award ceremony at Stonewall Resort in conjunction with a statewide summit focused on affordable college and career pathways. The three-day summit culminated with this celebration, where Champion school representatives networked with higher education professionals to share their best practices, as well as challenges students are facing when deciding to pursue postsecondary education.
“The Champion for College Access and Success award recognizes schools and administrators who go the extra mile to ensure students have the tools and resources to be successful in their education endeavors after high school,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “Despite challenges related to the new FAFSA, these Champion schools understand that education beyond high school is vital to student success – and I am so grateful for their tireless work to help their students succeed.”
For high schools to be considered a Champion of College Access and Success, they must participate in and meet specific criteria for 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 milestone has specific components to help college-bound students in West Virginia prepare for and transition to college. The Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical Education provide financial aid and college application information, training and support to high schools, and event-planning assistance.
The schools receiving the Champion recognition this year are:
Cabell Midland High School
Cameron High School
Chapmanville Regional High School
Cross Lanes Christian School
Doddridge County High School
Fairmont Senior High School
Frankfort High School
George Washington High School
Greenbrier East High School
Hannan High School
Herbert Hoover High School
Hurricane High School
Jefferson High School
Liberty High School
Lincoln County High School
Madonna High School
Man Senior High School
Mingo Central Comprehensive High School
Paw Paw High School
Pendleton County Middle / High School
Poca High School
Point Pleasant Junior / Senior High School
Ravenswood High School
Richwood High School
Ripley High School
Scott High School
Shady Spring High School
Sheman High School
Sissonville High School
Spring Valley High School
St. Marys High School
Teays Valley Christian School
Tucker County High School
Tug Valley High School
Tyler Consolidated High School
University High School
Van Junior / Senior High School
Wayne High School
Webster County High School
Winfield High School
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 is the student services face of the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical Education.
To view photos from the awards ceremony, click here.
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