Southwest Virginia Community College is pleased to be a recipient of two Regular Upward Bound grants from the US Department of Education. The first grant serves fifty Buchanan County students selected from Grundy, Hurley and Twin Valley High Schools. The second grant serves an additional fifty students selected from Council High School in Buchanan County, Honaker in Russell County, and Haysi High School in Dickenson County. Each grant will receive $280,880.00 per year for four years.
Upward Bound programs are designed to identify and serve students whose parents have not completed a four-year college degree and the family’s income meets specific federal guidelines. The SwVCC Upward Bound is a year round educational experience. Students meet with instructors and counselors on a weekly basis during the school year for tutoring, career development, educational enrichment, and college exploration. A six week non-residential program allows students participate daily in math and science based collaborative learning projects during the summer. Eighth grade students who enter the program the summer after they complete middle school are provided with TI 83 calculators and learn to apply the appropriate formulas in the Roller Coaster Physics project taught by Donna Robinson, Richlands High School Physics instructor. Summer learning projects include: Forensic Science, Personal Finance and Marketing, Environmental Science, Physics of Auto Racing, Biology, Chemistry, Hot Air Balloons, and Electronics. In addition to educational offerings, students participate in English, Spanish, team building, and music classes. “It is not uncommon for students to enter our program the summer after the 8th grade and to remain in the program though the summer after they graduate from high schools.” said Karen Hudson, Program Director.
The following chart indicates the grant recipients in the Commonwealth of Virginia for the 2007-08. Through these fourteen grants, eligible students will have the opportunity to understand the importance of a college education and to pursue their dreams of achieving a college degree. Together these institutions are making college access a reality for students who dare to dream of a brighter future.
Higher Education Institutions
Participants
Recommended Funding
Norfolk State University
60
$ 320,276.00
Old Dominion University
65
$ 336,500.00
Patrick Henry Community College
60
$ 250,000.00
Rappahannock Community College
50
$ 287,880.00
Roanoke College
70
$ 350,184.00
Saint Paul's College
50
$ 296,664.00
Southwest Virginia Community College
50
$ 287,880.00
Southwest Virginia Community College
50
$ 287,880.00
University of Virginia
75
$ 388,994.00
University of Virginia - Wise
70
$ 358,815.00
Virginia Highlands Community College
50
$ 250,000.00
Virginia Tech
100
$ 462,993.00
Virginia State University/Petersburg
75
$ 391,311.00
Wytheville Community College
75
$ 324,470.00