CHANGE IS NATURALCHANGE IS NATURAL

THE COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE THE COMMONWEALTH COLLEGE NETWORKNETWORK

is nowis now

VirginiaCANVirginiaCAN

THE VIRGINIA COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORKTHE VIRGINIA COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK

Why We Have College Why We Have College Access Programs:Access Programs:

To overcome barriers to higher To overcome barriers to higher education access and successeducation access and success

Barriers Include:Barriers Include:• Inadequate academic Inadequate academic

preparationpreparation• Lack of college, Lack of college,

career and financial career and financial aid information and aid information and advisingadvising

• Scarcity of strong Scarcity of strong role modelsrole models

• Low expectationsLow expectations• Access to and use of Access to and use of

the internet***the internet***

Overview of College Access Overview of College Access ServicesServicesFinancial Aid Financial Aid

&&

Admission Admission CounselingCounseling

Early Early AwarenessAwareness

2-YR to 4-YR 2-YR to 4-YR Transfer Transfer InitiativeInitiative

Parental Parental AdvisingAdvising

ScholarshipsScholarships Internship Internship ProgramsPrograms

Campus Campus VisitsVisits

Career Career AdvisingAdvising

Resource Resource CenterCenter

Overview of College Access Overview of College Access ServicesServices

Adult Learner Adult Learner ProgramsPrograms

Access Access Through Through TechnologyTechnology

Community Community OutreachOutreach

MentorsMentors Peer TutorsPeer Tutors Academic Academic CounselingCounseling

Why We Need Why We Need VirginiaCANVirginiaCAN

• To serve as an informal network for college To serve as an informal network for college access practitioners;access practitioners;

• To improve access to and success in post-To improve access to and success in post-secondary education for disadvantaged, secondary education for disadvantaged, underrepresented, and first-generation underrepresented, and first-generation students;students;

• To provide resources for the development of To provide resources for the development of college access programs in under-served college access programs in under-served communities;communities;

• To provide training, technical assistance, To provide training, technical assistance, support, professional development and support, professional development and networking opportunities for existing college networking opportunities for existing college access organizations;access organizations;

Why We Need Why We Need VirginiaCAN ….VirginiaCAN ….• To develop a public relations campaign to To develop a public relations campaign to

highlight access programs in Virginia and highlight access programs in Virginia and educate Virginia on the relevance of post-educate Virginia on the relevance of post-secondary education;secondary education;

• To identify opportunities to enhance existing To identify opportunities to enhance existing programs by developing assessment tools to programs by developing assessment tools to evaluate qualitative and quantitative evaluate qualitative and quantitative effectiveness;effectiveness;

• To accumulate and provide “best practice” To accumulate and provide “best practice” efforts for obtaining maximum parental and efforts for obtaining maximum parental and student involvement and benefit;student involvement and benefit;

• To educate local and state policy makers on To educate local and state policy makers on issues involving college access.issues involving college access.

Who is VirginiaCAN?Who is VirginiaCAN?Member organizations choosing to join the Member organizations choosing to join the

VirginiaCAN will be as diverse as the VirginiaCAN will be as diverse as the institutions that attended the College institutions that attended the College Access Summit in November 2003.Access Summit in November 2003.

• One such organization is Project One such organization is Project Discovery of Virginia, Inc, a statewide Discovery of Virginia, Inc, a statewide community action program with access community action program with access programs in 20 localities across the state. programs in 20 localities across the state.

• The following is a list of the Summit The following is a list of the Summit participants:participants:

What can/should a college What can/should a college access program do?access program do?

• Broker resources pertaining to post high school Broker resources pertaining to post high school educational opportunitieseducational opportunities

• Provide a formal platform for access practitioner Provide a formal platform for access practitioner networkingnetworking

• Champion the principle of the Pathways to College Champion the principle of the Pathways to College “Shared Agenda”“Shared Agenda”– Underserved students are capable of being prepared to enter Underserved students are capable of being prepared to enter

and succeed in collegeand succeed in college– Recognize and embrace learning style differences in Recognize and embrace learning style differences in

underserved studentsunderserved students– Appropriate college-preparatory tools must be made available Appropriate college-preparatory tools must be made available

to underserved students and their familiesto underserved students and their families– Ensure appropriate resources to fund such initiatives as aboveEnsure appropriate resources to fund such initiatives as above– Evaluate all activityEvaluate all activity– Involve all leaders to establish initiatives that ensure Involve all leaders to establish initiatives that ensure

successful student transitions toward postsecondary successful student transitions toward postsecondary attainmentattainment

What can/should a college What can/should a college access program do?access program do?

• Develop and maintain websites in conjunction Develop and maintain websites in conjunction with, not in competition with, Virginia Mentorwith, not in competition with, Virginia Mentor

• Coordinate state-wide access professional Coordinate state-wide access professional development activitiesdevelopment activities

• Coordinate regional professional development Coordinate regional professional development activities within the stateactivities within the state

• Coordinate annual conferencesCoordinate annual conferences• Maintain “best practices’ libraryMaintain “best practices’ library• Coordinate and leverage often disparate efforts to Coordinate and leverage often disparate efforts to

promote awarenesspromote awareness• Coordinate regional awareness fairsCoordinate regional awareness fairs• Mentor community-based start up awareness Mentor community-based start up awareness

organizationsorganizations

What can/should a college What can/should a college access program do?access program do?

• Provide state-wide leadership in the awareness Provide state-wide leadership in the awareness arenaarena

• Conduct awareness research on a state levelConduct awareness research on a state level• Seek operating resourcesSeek operating resources• Seek grants to fund programs and scholarshipsSeek grants to fund programs and scholarships• Educate policy makers on access issues, solutions Educate policy makers on access issues, solutions

and needsand needs• Share resources and make use of economies of Share resources and make use of economies of

scalescale• Involve a student component including student Involve a student component including student

tutoring and mentoring training and networkingtutoring and mentoring training and networking

What can/should a college What can/should a college access program do?access program do?

• Encourage family involvement and instill Encourage family involvement and instill optimism that college is possibleoptimism that college is possible

• Offer discreet programs that foster wise Offer discreet programs that foster wise secondary curricular choicessecondary curricular choices

• Coordinate a speakers bureauCoordinate a speakers bureau• Maintain a taxonomy of access activitiesMaintain a taxonomy of access activities• Maintain a common awareness calendar of Maintain a common awareness calendar of

eventsevents• Maintain a best practices bankMaintain a best practices bank• Facilitate sharing/cooperation/program Facilitate sharing/cooperation/program

developmentdevelopment

Characteristics by Level of Educational Attainment

  Less than H.S. H.S. Diploma Some College Bachelor Advanced

Age 25 and older 14.8% 32.0% 25.5% 18.1% 9.6%

Income $15,221 $25,053 $32,470 $48,417 $70,851

Unemployed 10.2% 5.9% 4.8% 3.0% 2.6%

Rec'd Public Assistance 2.1% 0.9% 0.9% 0.3% 0.1%

Good Health 67.3% 82.0% 87.2% 92.6% 92.5%

Volunteer 11.8% 20.8% 31.0% 36.1% 36.1%

Voted 42.1% 56.0% 67.3% 76.3% 82.1%

United States population

Compiled from:

The Institute for Higher Education Policy - February 2005

"The Investment Payoff - A 50-State Analysis of the Public and Private Benefits of Higher Education"

Washington, DC

www.ihep.org

Funding provided by the Lumina Foundation

Gear-Up ProgramGear-Up Program

• Number ServedNumber Served 5,000 5,000 yearlyyearly

• Grades ServedGrades Served 8-128-12• In-school programsIn-school programs ☺ ☺• Summer ProgramsSummer Programs ☺ ☺• Mentors TutorsMentors Tutors ☺ ☺• FA ParentsFA Parents ☺ ☺• Teacher WorkshopsTeacher Workshops ☺ ☺• Campus ToursCampus Tours ☺ ☺• ScholarshipsScholarships ☺ ☺• College Follow-upCollege Follow-up ☺ ☺

Gear Up ProgramGear Up ProgramAreas Served: C-ville, Chesapeake City,

Grayson, Halifax, Hampton City, James City, King/Queen, Lancaster, Lunenburg,

Nottoway, Patrick, Portsmouth, Pulaski, Suffolk, Surry, Sussex, VA Beach,

WashingtonWaynesboro, Westmoreland

Unique Features/What We Know: *Fed/state $ 3-4 million-State agency-in

schools-grant ends this year.*Funding ending 2006

Students are low income and many have disabilities be it mental or physical.

- 4 year program began in 8th grade with one class and was served in 11 Virginia

counties and 2 cities: Accomack, Buckingham, Cumberland, Dickenson,

Grayson, Lee, Lunenburg, City of Norfolk, Northampton, Nottoway, City of Petersburg,

Prince Edward, Washington. Funding continued through 4 years of college for

follow-up and support. Funds have not been sought for another 8th grade class.

Avid –National-East Coast Avid –National-East Coast DivisionDivision

• Year FoundedYear Founded 19801980• Number ServedNumber Served 36 states36 states• Grades ServedGrades Served 5-125-12• In-School ProgramsIn-School Programs ☺ ☺• Mentors TutorsMentors Tutors ☺ ☺• FA ParentsFA Parents ☺ ☺• Teacher WorkshopsTeacher Workshops ☺ ☺

AVID-National-East Coast AVID-National-East Coast DivisionDivision

Areas Served: Chesapeake, Chesterfield, Cumberland Danville, Fairfax, Hampton, New Port

News, Va. Beach, Williamsburg

Unique Features/What We Know: Feature AVID elective in school class period/curriculum designed by high school teachers and college faculty/stress WIC-R: writing, inquiry, collaboration to train staff and

school administrators in AVID methodology/teachers redefined as advocate and guide as opposed to

lecturer/creates site teams from different disciplines/learning focus -analyze, question, clarify,

comprehend, assimilate work in conjunction with GEAR UP, Talent Search and similar access programs

Girls & Boys ClubsGirls & Boys Clubs

• Grades ServedGrades Served 13-1813-18• After SchoolAfter School ☺ ☺• Summer ProgramsSummer Programs ☺ ☺• Mentors TutorsMentors Tutors ☺ ☺• Service LearningService Learning ☺ ☺• ScholarshipsScholarships ☺ ☺

I Have A DreamI Have A Dream

• Grades ServedGrades Served K-12K-12• ScholarshipsScholarships ☺☺

Areas Served: Clark Elementary in Charlottesville

Unique Features/What We Know: Adopted 59 kindergarten

students for a 12 year program/significant community

support

ROTC 4 Year College ROTC 4 Year College ScholarshipsScholarships

ROTC 4 year College Scholarships: to apply must meet the following: Be a U.S. citizen, Be between the ages of 17 and 26, Have a high school CGPA of at least 2.50, Have a high school diploma or equivalent, Score minimum of 920 on the SAT or 19 on the ACT, Meet physical standards,

Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army on Active Duty or in a Reserve Component (U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard) The most competitive candidates for an Army ROTC Four-Year Scholarship

will have at least a SAT score of 1100 or an ACT score

Talent SearchTalent Search

• Year FoundedYear Founded 19651965• Grades ServedGrades Served 6-126-12• After SchoolAfter School ☺ ☺• Mentors TutorsMentors Tutors ☺ ☺• FA ParentsFA Parents ☺ ☺• Campus ToursCampus Tours ☺ ☺• Trade SchoolsTrade Schools ☺ ☺

Academic, financial, career, or personal counseling Career exploration and aptitude assessment

Tutorial services Information on postsecondary education

Exposure to college campuses Information on student financial assistance

Assistance in completing college admissions and financial aid applications Assistance in preparing for college entrance exams

Mentoring programs Special activities for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders

Workshops for the families of participants

Served 1222 students in Virginia in 2000, roughly

60% female 40% male, 35% black, 32% Caucasian, 23 Hispanic Latin,

4% AsianAREAS SERVED: Dabney S. Lancaster

Community College, Hampton University, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Mountain Empire Community College,

Patrick Henry Community CollegeSouthwest Virginia Community College, Virginia

Highlands Community College, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University,

Virginia State University/ Petersburg, Wytheville Community College

Serves 6th -12th graders plus high school dropouts by encouraging them to reenter the educational system and complete their education. Students must be between the ages of 11

and 27 and have completed the fifth grade.

Upward BoundUpward Bound

• Year FoundedYear Founded 19641964• After SchoolAfter School ☺ ☺• Summer ProgramsSummer Programs ☺ ☺• Mentors TutorsMentors Tutors ☺ ☺• FA ParentsFA Parents ☺ ☺• Campus ToursCampus Tours ☺ ☺• ScholarshipsScholarships ☺ ☺

Instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and other subjects necessary for success in education beyond high school

Academic, financial, or personal counseling, tutorial services Exposure to academic programs and cultural events

Mentoring programs, information on postsecondary education opportunities

Assistance in completing college entrance and financial aid applications

Upward Bound helps young students to prepare for higher education. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition, mathematics, and science on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. Currently, 774 programs are in operation throughout the United States. All Upward Bound projects MUST provide instruction in math, laboratory science, composition, literature, and foreign language. Other services include:

Danville Community College Hampton University, Norfolk State University Old Dominion University Southwest Virginia Community College Rappahanock Community College Roanoke College Saint Paul's College Southwest Virginia Community College University of Virginia/ Charlottesville University of Virginia/ Wise Wytheville Community College Virginia Highlands Community College Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Virginia State University Virginia Union University Tidewater Community College

Upward BoundUpward Bound

Upward Bound Upward Bound Math/ScienceMath/Science

Upward Bound Math/Science: Southwest Virginia Community College campus only

Upward Bound Math/Science helps students from low-income families to strengthen

math and science skills. In addition, students learn computer technology as well

as English, foreign language and study skills. More than 130 programs are serving students throughout the

country.

Student Support Services make it possible for low-income students to stay in college until they earn their baccalaureate degrees. Participants who include disabled college students,

receive tutoring, counseling and remedial instruction. Students are now being served at 930 colleges and universities

nationwide.

AREA SERVED: Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Hampton University Mountain Empire Community College Lord Fairfax

Community College Norfolk State University Old Dominion University Patrick Henry Community College Paul D. Camp Community College

Radford University Rappahannock Community College Southwest Virginia Community College Thomas Nelson Community College

Tidewater Community College University of Virginia/ Wise Virginia Highlands Community College Virginia State University Virginia

Western Community College Wytheville Community College

Student Support Services – Student Support Services – Post secondaryPost secondary

The Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs provides funding to enhance the skills

and expertise of project directors and staff employed in the Federal TRIO Programs.

Training projects may include conferences, seminars, internships, workshops, or publication

of manuals. Training topics are based on priorities established by the Secretary of Education and announced in the Federal Register notice for application. The TRIO Training program provides training and

information on the following topics:

Improving student retention Counseling services

Student testing Working with specific TRIO populations Legislative and regulatory requirements

Program evaluation

College Is PossibleCollege Is Possible

• Year FoundedYear Founded 19971997• FA ParentsFA Parents On On

campuscampus

College PartnershipCollege Partnership

• Year FoundedYear Founded 19891989• Number ServedNumber Served 17501750• Grades ServedGrades Served 7-127-12• Mentors TutorsMentors Tutors ☺ ☺• FA ParentsFA Parents ☺ ☺

The College PlaceThe College Place

• Grades ServedGrades Served Jr –Sr Jr –Sr HighHigh

• FA ParentsFA Parents ☺ ☺

Areas Served: Prince William, Arlington, Manassas City Manassas Park, Alexandria City, Fairfax County

Unique Features/What We Know: Web based support on various topics with recommended reading for each grade

level/significant volunteer labor/counseling and career planning/scholarship referrals

Patrick County Education Patrick County Education FoundationFoundation

• Year FoundedYear Founded 20012001• Number ServedNumber Served 290 290 • Grades ServedGrades Served 7-127-12• After SchoolAfter School ☺ ☺• Summer ProgramsSummer Programs ☺ ☺• FA ParentsFA Parents ☺ ☺• Trade schoolsTrade schools ☺ ☺• ScholarshipsScholarships ☺ ☺• Areas Served: Patrick County High School• Unique Features/What We Know: Community supported

college access program. GED classes and testing offered for adults. Workforce Training Program for adults with computer classes, 84 hour skill training classes plus courses in tourism

Partnership for the Partnership for the FutureFuture• Year FoundedYear Founded 19951995

• Number ServedNumber Served 300300• Grades ServedGrades Served 10-1210-12• After SchoolAfter School ☺ ☺• Summer ProgramsSummer Programs ☺ ☺• Mentor TutorsMentor Tutors ☺ ☺• FA ParentsFA Parents ☺ ☺• Campus ToursCampus Tours ☺ ☺• Areas Served: RichmondAreas Served: Richmond

• Unique Features: Students spend 2 Unique Features: Students spend 2 summers as interns with local businesses 4 summers as interns with local businesses 4

days a week for 7 weeks and one day a days a week for 7 weeks and one day a week working on personal and professional week working on personal and professional

development. During school year, they development. During school year, they attend bi-weekly/monthly workshops.attend bi-weekly/monthly workshops.

Rappahannock College Rappahannock College AccessAccess

Areas Served: Rappahannock County

Unique Features/What We Know: New Organization – College Access Resource Center at Rappahannock High School in school counseling services offered to low

income and first generation college potentials

STARS (VA Tech)STARS (VA Tech)

Areas Served: Pittsylvania and Danville City Schools

Unique Features/What We Know: 3 internet & E-commerce, robotics and Automation, Civic Projects & Community Development yr, non-formal learning experiences in Information

Technology, enhance critical thinking, team-building, and decision-making skills. IT

emphasis on Life and Earth Sciences

Tidewater AccessTidewater Access

• Year FoundedYear Founded 19881988• Number servedNumber served 10,00010,000• Grades ServedGrades Served 9-129-12• ScholarshipsScholarships ☺ ☺

Areas Served: South Hampton Roads – Norfolk Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth Virginia Beach Public Schools

Unique Features/What We Know: In-school advisors – large private funding (individual, corporate, foundation) detailed web

services and links

Project DiscoveryProject Discovery

• Year FoundedYear Founded 19851985• Number Number 2,2502,250• Grades ServedGrades Served 4-124-12• After SchoolAfter School ☺ ☺• Summer ProgramsSummer Programs SomeSome• Mentors TutorsMentors Tutors ☺ ☺• Service LearningService Learning ☺ ☺• FA ParentsFA Parents ☺ ☺• Campus ToursCampus Tours ☺ ☺• Trade SchoolsTrade Schools ☺ ☺• ScholarshipsScholarships ☺ ☺

College GuidesCollege Guides

• Conceived and Implemented by UVAConceived and Implemented by UVA• Select High Schools in Virginia…low Select High Schools in Virginia…low

college-going ratescollege-going rates• College choice neutralCollege choice neutral• Admissions CounselingAdmissions Counseling• Financial CounselingFinancial Counseling• Parental CounselingParental Counseling

MentorsMentorsAreas served: Tidewater Region, Patrick

County, Alexandria, Fairfax, Rappahannock, Warren Charlottesville/Albemarle, Richmond,

Halifax

Unique Features/What We Know: 20 recent UVA grads will be trained and placed in 14

school access programs

Scholarship Fund of Scholarship Fund of AlexandriaAlexandria

• Year FoundedYear Founded 19861986

• ScholarshipsScholarships ☺☺

Areas Served: City of Alexandria

Unique Features/What We Know: Secure numerous scholarships funds from individuals,

area businesses, as memorials scholarships sometimes for more than one year- workshops

for student and parents, strong partnership with Alexandria PD Program

Jack Kent Cooke Jack Kent Cooke (National)(National)

• Year FoundedYear Founded 20002000

• ScholarshipsScholarships ☺☺Areas Served: National

Unique Features/What We Know: Provides significant grant funds to state access programs: Fairfax, Rappahannock, Warren, Tidewater, Patrick and Alexandria and two year support to UVA Guides. Foundation goal is to provide

scholarships up to $50,000 per year to 650 students from across the country. The Young Scholar Program selects

high achieving high school students and Assist them with school suitability, online courses, software purchases, advanced musical or scientific training and with career

goals. Undergrad transfer/graduate scholarships available.

Innovation funds support new models with existing programs.

Warren County CoalitionWarren County Coalition