Designed to establish an Appalachian Higher Education Network that will target high school students throughout the Appalachian Region, the new initiative seeks to expand successful efforts now under way in Appalachian Ohio and West Virginia. Elizabeth Roll Federal Co-Chairman Jesse L. White Jr. In West Virginia, Wirt County High School recently increased its college enrollment rate by more than 50 percent. When initially confronted with the idea of college, many parents and students in rural communities hesitate for a variety of cultural and financial reasons. These programs break down these barriers and build self-esteem.
College becomes a real possibility in the lives of high school students.
Governor Underwood joined White in supporting the program. It's critically important that we identify role models from the Appalachian Region who can motivate students to think more positively about college and who can demonstrate the benefits of college firsthand. Under the initiative, ARC would provide four challenge grants to help Appalachian states organize initiatives similar to those in Ohio and West Virginia. The four proposed new centers, to be determined by a competitive process, would provide grants to high schools to support a variety of activities, including programs to help high school teachers advise students on career and education choices and to enable more students to visit college campuses. Elizabeth Roll West Virginia Governor Cecil H. Underwood, ARC states' co-chairman.