By Heather McChesney, Director of Statewide Access Initiatives, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and Emily Hammond, Assistant Director of Communication and Outreach
Reading time: Three minutes
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has made significant strides in helping students and their families navigate the often-daunting college application and career planning process.
Through its comprehensive initiatives, West Virginia provides personalized college and career counseling, inspiring students statewide to succeed. One of the cornerstone programs driving this engagement is the
West Virginia Champions for College Access and Success Initiative. This initiative challenges schools to meet three essential milestones: College Application & Exploration Week, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion Campaign, and College Decision Day. Each milestone guides students, families, and school personnel through the pivotal steps in the transition to college. For each milestone event, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission provides
annually updated event toolkits that cater to the unique needs of West Virginia’s schools and communities. The toolkits include helpful assets for hosting school events, templates for event flyers, social media posts, printable informational one-pagers
for students and families, and links to helpful state resources.
Given the state’s predominantly rural population, personalized and targeted outreach is critical in ensuring equitable access to college and career planning resources like financial aid planning information, FAFSA guides, test prep, career exploration
tools, and more. In addition to the Champions for College Access and Success milestones, West Virginia leverages its Text-4-Success program to connect directly with students. This program offers a user-friendly platform where students can receive personalized college counseling through their phones. With Text-4-Success, students not only
get timely reminders about important deadlines, like FAFSA submissions and financial aid application due dates but they can also directly message counselors with their questions. This two-way communication fosters trust and reduces the anxiety many
students and their families feel during the college transition process, particularly in rural areas where resources can be limited.
Another essential asset in West Virginia’s comprehensive approach to college and career counseling is the College for West Virginia web site, CFWV.com. This free, one-stop resource offers tools and articles customized to West Virginians, guiding them on everything from financial aid to career exploration with state-specific details and requirements. Schools and districts
can use CFWV.com to expand their advising efforts, ensuring students and families can access reliable, localized information. This underscores West Virginia’s commitment to making higher education accessible and achievable for all its students.
One shining example of the success of these programs is Spring Valley High School, the most recent recipient of the American College Application Campaign (ACAC) School of Excellence Award. Spring Valley fully embraced the Champions for College Access and Success milestones, decorating
the school with college and career information, hosting engaging events, such as family nights and financial aid workshops during College Application & Exploration Week, and achieving high levels of FAFSA completion among its students. The school
also integrated additional state resources, such as the Text-4-Success program, to provide tailored support for students and families. By leveraging these tools, Spring Valley increased college-going rates among its students and built a culture of
trust and confidence in higher education in its school community.
Personalized student outreach initiatives, like those championed by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, are particularly effective in rural populations, where trust and accessibility play a significant role in educational outcomes. By
offering hands-on support and engaging students and their families, these programs demystify the college-going experience and create a supportive environment where students feel empowered to pursue their dreams and achieve success through higher education.
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