Thursday, July 10, 2008
Mingo County To Share In Funding
Mingo County is one of 10 counties that will share in an $18 million federal funding awarded to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) for a six-year program to help middle and high school students prepare for and pursue a college education.The GEAR Up (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant from the U.S. Department of Education will fund programs and services for low-income West Virginia students who have been identified as being at risk of not pursuing an education past high school.Approximately 13,000 students will participate in the project at schools in Boone, Clay, Lincoln, McDowell, Mingo, Roane, Summers, Webster, Wirt and Wyoming counties.West Virginia GEAR UP will provide specialized academic preparation programs as well as financial incentives for students to attend college. The project will include programs aimed at increasing parent/guardian involvement in the education and educational aspirations of students.
The funding also will be used for financial aid and career awareness programs for students, parents and schools to help remove the cultural barriers that keep students from furthering their educations.“The work of our staff in preparing the comprehensive grant proposal, and the support of Gov. Joe Manchin and First Lady Gayle Manchin, our state’s Congressional delegation and state superintendent of schools Dr. Steven Paine, have given us a valuable opportunity,” said Dr. Brian Nolan, HEPC chancellor.“GEAR UP’s emphasis on improving the academic preparation of our students, as well as its goal of increasing the awareness of students and their families about the importance of higher education, will make a real difference in the lives of West Virginians for generations to come,” said Nolan.The first lady, who agreed with the above statement, was responsible for professional development activities associated with a previous GEAR UP grant based at Fairmont State University. She added that she and Gov. Manchin will support and advocate for this outstanding initiative.U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., said “If students in West Virginia are to forge ahead in today’s global economy, we must provide them with the tools they need to succeed in this ever-changing environment. I am living proof of the power of a first-rate education, and the opportunities for a better future it can provide. GEAR UP enables our students to have the skills and confidence that will pave their way to a post-secondary education – which is vital in today’s economy.”U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., commended GEAR UP for recognizing the potential within each student in rural West Virginia.“Our students are some of the hardest-working in the nation, and, with these needed resources, will be able to expand their knowledge and skills as they become our next generation of leaders.”U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-W.Va., commented that “In today’s competitive economy, education is the key to opportunity and a successful future. Unfortunately, access to higher education in southern West Virginia is often barred by the rigors of rural, country life. By reaching out to students in underserved areas,, the GEAR UP program is paving the way for a brighter future for our state.”West Virginia GEAR UP was one of 24 funded nationally this year from among more than 280 applications. HEPC’s partners in the project include the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia, the West Virginia Department of Education, the school systems in the 10 target counties; Concord University, Glenville State College, and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, which will each house a regional coordinator for the project, and a number of other agencies and organizations.
Courtesy : Williamson Daily News.
The funding also will be used for financial aid and career awareness programs for students, parents and schools to help remove the cultural barriers that keep students from furthering their educations.“The work of our staff in preparing the comprehensive grant proposal, and the support of Gov. Joe Manchin and First Lady Gayle Manchin, our state’s Congressional delegation and state superintendent of schools Dr. Steven Paine, have given us a valuable opportunity,” said Dr. Brian Nolan, HEPC chancellor.“GEAR UP’s emphasis on improving the academic preparation of our students, as well as its goal of increasing the awareness of students and their families about the importance of higher education, will make a real difference in the lives of West Virginians for generations to come,” said Nolan.The first lady, who agreed with the above statement, was responsible for professional development activities associated with a previous GEAR UP grant based at Fairmont State University. She added that she and Gov. Manchin will support and advocate for this outstanding initiative.U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., said “If students in West Virginia are to forge ahead in today’s global economy, we must provide them with the tools they need to succeed in this ever-changing environment. I am living proof of the power of a first-rate education, and the opportunities for a better future it can provide. GEAR UP enables our students to have the skills and confidence that will pave their way to a post-secondary education – which is vital in today’s economy.”U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., commended GEAR UP for recognizing the potential within each student in rural West Virginia.“Our students are some of the hardest-working in the nation, and, with these needed resources, will be able to expand their knowledge and skills as they become our next generation of leaders.”U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-W.Va., commented that “In today’s competitive economy, education is the key to opportunity and a successful future. Unfortunately, access to higher education in southern West Virginia is often barred by the rigors of rural, country life. By reaching out to students in underserved areas,, the GEAR UP program is paving the way for a brighter future for our state.”West Virginia GEAR UP was one of 24 funded nationally this year from among more than 280 applications. HEPC’s partners in the project include the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia, the West Virginia Department of Education, the school systems in the 10 target counties; Concord University, Glenville State College, and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, which will each house a regional coordinator for the project, and a number of other agencies and organizations.
Courtesy : Williamson Daily News.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 6:15 PM 
