co-sponsored by the wv department of education and the wv higher education policy commission...
TRANSCRIPT
Co-Sponsored by the WV Department of Education
and theWV Higher Education Policy Commission
Charleston, WVAugust 2-3, 2011
West Virginia Access Center for Higher Education (WVACHE)
Sarita A. Rhonemus, Ph.D.Bluefield State College
WVACHE Executive DirectorAHE Network Coordinator/Consultant
Educational Opportunity Center DirectorInterim Director Office of Scholarly Research and Sponsored Programs
What Brings You Here Today?
What You Will Learn Today… Overview and Brief History of WVACHE Establishment and Expansion of
Appalachian Higher Education Network Barriers to Postsecondary Education The Model Program
Ideas that Work Comments from WVACHE Grantees
Resources to Promote Postsecondary Awareness
Recommended Reading
The purpose of the West Virginia Access Center for Higher Education (WVACHE) is to encourage and assist high-school students to continue their education by enrolling in postsecondary education.
Overview of WVACHE
Aligned with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to increase access to postsecondary education for West Virginia students, WVACHE is based on a successful model developed for Appalachian Ohio. The WVACHE has pursued its mission by providing two-year “Access Project” grants to Public high schools in West Virginia on a competitive basis.
These Access Projects implement activities that encourage students to consider college (whether a two- or four-year degree program), explore careers, and find financial aid to help them pursue higher education.
Overview of WVACHE
Overview of WVACHE, cont. The WVACHE focuses on future higher-education
access efforts based on a significant study called Appalachian Access and Success
Significant disparities between the proportion of the population who sees the need for, and aspires to, higher education versus the number actually participating
Initial and subsequent studies can be found at www.oache.org
Overview of WVACHE, cont. Founded in 1998 with assistance from the
Appalachian Regional Commission as the first replication of the Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education Model Program A program of Bluefield State College Incorporated in 2000 and earned 501 (c)(3)
status as a non-profit
Appalachian Higher Education Network Service Area
West VirginiaEducational Needs Index
Source: www.educationalneedsindex.com
Why Don’t They Go?
You already know the answers.
Barriers Keeping Our Students from Pursuing Post-Secondary EducationWhy Don’t They Go?
Lack of information; want to go but don’t know how to go Lack of role models due to low educational attainment in
the family No knowledge of financial aid and the process Education not a priority Lack an understanding of the importance of an education
and how it connects to quality of life Fear of the unknown/failure
Need immediate gratification Unable to set long term goals and think strategically about
the future Perceived high cost of college Thinking not smart enough Low self esteem Lack of encouragement Unexpected pregnancy Drug and alcohol addiction
Making it real…
The Suitcase Story
CAVE Dwellers
Colleagues
Against
Virtually
Everything
Student SuccessWhat are those things that would make any student jump for joy at school?
Improving Student Success for All What should schools be doing? Establish a plan…
Work with all students to Explore career interests Inform about postsecondary education Build self-esteem and self-confidence
WVACHE Suitcase Campus visits Parental involvement College and career fairs Motivational speeches by college students Teacher/staff visits to schools/industry Business alliances and partnerships Mentoring relationships
WVACHE Suitcase Guest speakers from community Assigned essays that inform students of college
costs, programs, and economic advantages Displays in common area of school with names of
students who have applied to college Social media activities that connect students to
higher education Teacher diplomas displayed
outside of classroom door College sweatshirt day
Other Ideas that Work Career Exposition Junior Pennant Designs Senior Campus Visit Graduate Day ACT Preparation Course Financial Aid Evening Event Senior Recognition College Goal Sunday College Application Week CFWV.com
Seriously think about what it would take to become a community
working together to solve a community
problem…
Engaging All Leaders…
Hollowing Out the Middle…
Failure is NOT an Option…
Additional Reading The Collective Leadership Storybook:
Weaving Strong Communities. Karma Ruder, Lead Editor
The Other Wes Moore, Wes Moore, Author
Take Away… Focus should be on
Building confidence and self-esteem for all students, not just a select few
Helping students and parents explore college opportunities and career possibilities
Demystifying the college experience
Bulletin Board Ideas
Circle, Square, Triangle
A question going around in my head?
Something that squares with my beliefs and my work?
Three important points to remember.
Used with permission from the Center for Evidence-Based Education, 609-952-2205
Resources College Foundation of West Virginia and College G
oal Sunday WV www.cfwv.com
Vocational Information Center Site Map http://www.khake.com/page35.html
College Toolkit www.www.collegetoolkit.com
Know How to Go http://www.knowhow2go.org
College Navigator http://www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
Questions and Answers