What is GEAR UP/ACCESS Virginia?
This is a project funded by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to provide low income students with the necessary tools to obtain a college education. SCHEV targeted a group of seventh graders in 2000 to track through their high school graduation in 2006 to see if the GEAR UP/ACCESS Virginia program could help increase high school graduation and college attendance rates of low income students. The GEAR UP/ACCESS Virginia program is aimed at helping improve the students’ academic performance by working with the students and their teachers, parents, and resources to make a college education attainable and affordable.Scholarships
The students who choose to participate in the GEAR UP/ACCESS Virginia program are eligible for scholarships. The students receive merit-based rewards in the form of points which can grow into scholarship money for students who are eligible for the Pell grant.GEAR UP/ACCESS Virginia Summer Program at Lynchburg College
In 2004, Lynchburg College joined the ranks of other GEAR UP/ACCESS Virginia participating colleges and universities such as Emory and Henry College, Longwood College, Randolph-Macon University, and Old Dominion University. Dr. Barbara Kurtz, the Grants Coordinator for the School of Education and Human Development, served as the Program Director and Annette Stadtherr, Coordinator of Multicultural, Access, and Commuter Services and the Summer Transition Program, served as the Project Coordinator. The Peer Mentors were Jamesha Hairston, a senior from Richmond, VA; Angel Horton, a junior from Norfolk, VA; Amy Nowlin, a senior from Mechanicsville, VA; Aaron Smith, a senior from Berryville, VA; and Jolenn Williams a senior from Richmond, VA.The Focus of the 2004 Summer Program was "Writing Across the Curriculum".
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Sessions provided were designed to improve writing skills for greater success on the SOL tests and the SAT I and SAT II tests and college admissions essays; the GEAR UP program enlisted the help of area educators Carol Currence (inset), eleventh grade English teacher with Lynchburg City Schools, and Lee Shearer, a Principal with Campbell County Schools.
Experience in collection, analysis, and reporting of scientific data was provided by Lynchburg College’s Claytor Nature Study Center. The students received instruction from Dr. Jeff Corney, Director of Claytor Nature Study Center and Dr. Dave Perault, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Lynchburg College.
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Other facilitators included Assistant Director of Admissions, Amy Edwards and Michelle Davis, Director of Financial Aid, who helped guide students through the college admissions and financial aid process. Jessica Baldwin (pictured), Director of Learning Resources, Bev Reid, Director of Career Development, the New Horizons facilitators, Heidi Scheusner, Director of Student Activities and Leadership Programs, Donna McGill, Director of Health and Counseling Services, and Kristi Link, a math PASS tutor. All contributed to the success of Lynchburg College’s GEAR UP/ACCESS Virginia Summer Program. On behalf of GEAR UP staff and participants, we would like to thank Lynchburg College’s administrative and support personnel for their cooperation.
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Want to get involved?
Get your school administrator to contact the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s GEAR UP/ACCESS Virginia office to find out how.State Council of Higher Education for VA
101 N. 14TH St., James Monroe Bldg.
Richmond, VA 23219
Tel: (804)225-2600
Fax: (804)225-2604