WHITE SUPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — A nonprofit has partnered with Marshall University to eliminate the traditional application process for high school students in seven counties. The program is an effort to help students, many who will be first-generation college students, more easily access higher education.
Leaders from Jobs for West Virginia Graduates and Marshall University announced the partnership Thursday at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and Business Summit at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
The program offers one-on-one support services to 700 high school students in Boone, Clay, Lewis, Logan, Jackson, Kanawha and McDowell counties.
“This is hugely impactful for our students. Not only will they have the automatic admission, but they will have the support of career services to really make sure that we’re providing wrap-around support for these students while they are in college,” said Elizabeth House, Jobs for West Virginia’s Graduates executive director. “This opens up a door that probably seemed forever closed to so many of our students.”
House said that the automatic admission could help students, many of whom will be first generation college students, realize that higher ed is available and avoid what can be a complicated process of applying for various universities .
Marshall University leaders said the partnership will provide “a seamless and stress-free transition for students pursuing a four-year degree.”
“This program reflects Marshall University’s efforts to make education accessible, affordable and attainable for all West Virginians,” Marshall’s Chief Legal Officer Toney Stroud said. “We are very honored to work with the chamber foundation on this project.
Jobs for West Virginia Graduates, founded in 2021, focuses on helping students complete high school, as many participants are at risk of dropping out of high school and struggling to keep up in credit recovery programs.
She explained that many of the students in the program work to support their families or help raise their younger siblings, leading to them failing behind and risking completing high school.
“They don’t have the luxury of dedicating time after school to try to catch up on their studies or do their homework,” House explained.
The COVID-19 pandemic’s interruptions to learning has also contributed to more students falling behind, she said.
Teachers and peers work with students to develop a plan to graduate and prepare for higher education or the workforce.
The program has a 100% high school graduation rate.
Jones said that partnering with Marshall is a perfect fit for the students as it allows many of them to remain in their communities while they attend higher education.
“It’s been an excellent opportunity for them to go to school, still relatively close to home and in a cultural environment that they’re familiar with, which helps reduce the likelihood that they will end up leaving college,” she said.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX