[BEAVER, WV] – In a collaboration, New River Community and Technical College and GEAR UP Southern West Virginia join forces to provide an enriching experience for young aspiring students. New River CTC gathered 100 middle school students and nine teachers from five local middle schools on New River CTC’s Raleigh County Campus to travel to the Virginia Tech Science Festival as a means of providing them with the opportunity to explore new campuses and future career opportunities.
This innovative partnership aims to broaden the horizons of 7th and 8th students by exposing them to the world of higher education and the endless possibilities it offers. The field trip not only provided an opportunity for students to be immersed in the college environment but encouraged them to dream big and consider a future in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs and is part of a national grant program funded through the U.S. Department of Education. GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (GEAR UP SWV) is a Concord University program, in partnership with New River CTC, that helps students graduate from high school and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP SWV is helping the classes of 2028 and 2029 in Mercer, Monroe, Summers, Raleigh, and Wyoming Counties to ensure high school graduation. The program also informs students and families of ways to succeed in a postsecondary education and ways to help fund it. GEAR UP SWV supports teachers, administrators, students, and families on this educational journey. GEAR UP SWV; securing a legacy of strength and resilience in Appalachia.
“This opportunity provides exposure to the possibilities in science related careers as well as exposure to New River Community and Technical College and what we have to offer for future students. It is a chance to show them that higher education is possible, and that they can start working towards their futures right now.” said Tamara Mills, Gear Up Campus Event Coordinator and Community Outreach at New River CTC.
This field trip served as a stepping stone for middle school students, encouraging them to pursue a higher education and to embark on rewarding careers in STEM fields.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Mykah F. Price
Director of Communications
New River Community and Technical College
Phone: 304-929-5450
New River Community and Technical College serves nine counties in southeast and south-central West Virginia: Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers and Webster. The College offers classes online, in Beaver at the Raleigh County Campus, in Ghent at the Advanced Technology Center, in Hinton at Summers County ARH Hospital, in Lewisburg at the Greenbrier Valley Campus, in Marlinton at One Room University, in Princeton at the Mercer County Campus and in Summersville at the Nicholas County Campus.
