In recognition of the success of the University's College Guide program, which aims at increasing college applications and enrollment of Virginia high school students, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has recognized the program with a $470,000 grant. The Foundation invited 175 universities to apply for eight grants to support similar programs at their respective institutions.
The brainchild of Center for Undergrauate Excellence director Nicole Hurd, the College Guide program began in December, 2005, when it first received funding from the Cooke Foundation. Since then, the program boasts great success. In many of the counties it targeted, the number of high school students applying to and enrolling in college increased.
"The guide at Halifax County took students to VCU for a day trip, and we saw the number of applicants there double this year," Hurd said. "We had a student who was a guide in Southwest Virginia who saw the college-going rate go from 60 percent to 85 percent this year. U.Va hadn't had an application from that high school in about twenty years, and got three this year."
College Guide Paulin Cheatham, who worked in Washington County, also saw improvement in the school district where he worked.
"The number of students enrolling between the historical average and this year's senior class was an over thirty-percent increase," Cheatham said, citing students' particular interest in vocational and technical schools.
According to Hurd, by sending University graduates to various districts of Virginia to work with guidance counselors, the program simply aims at exposing high school students to the many options for higher education available to them, both in and out of Virginia.
"The program is aimed at getting Virginia high school students to college, whether they go in Virginia or California," Hurd said.
Hurd selected guides with differing backgrounds and majors in an effort to best exemplify the diversity at the University, she said. Coming from both rural and urban areas, the guides, four of whom are first-generation college students themselves, "really show the best of U.Va," Hurd said.
"Some people might think of U.Va as a community that is somewhat homogenous, but the guides dispel this myth," she added.
The program has not been exclusively
successful for students -- guides have benefited also; in fact, nine of the fourteen guides have decided to participate in the program for a second year.
According to Cheatham, who signed on for another year of service with the program, his experience inspired him to become actively involved in the school environment he worked in, and dedicate more of his time to the field of education.
"I got involved elsewise in the school -- I coached track, and had night-time programs where parents could ask questions," Cheatham said. "I would like to stay in education. The longer I work with this program the more I see a need to better promote access and attainment of a college degree. I'd like to stick with it."
Hurd said the she plans on tracking students' matriculation at universities, specifically their retention rates, as the program continues to develop.
Read More
Student Council passes resolution to uphold student voices during presidential search
By Lauren Seeliger | YesterdayThe resolution requests that five students be included on the search committee, and that the Board of Visitors provides key updates to the student body throughout the search process.
Senior VP for Operations Colette Sheehy looks back at her career at the University
By Brandon Kile | 2 days agoSheehy’s role involved overseeing the work of around 2,500 University employees, including custodians, architects and engineers.
Will the Faculty Senate’s no-confidence vote impact the U.Va. Board of Visitors?
By Brandon Kile | 3 days agoIn many cases, a no-confidence vote may soon be followed by steps taken to remove the leadership that may be acting against the wishes of a community.
