FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 5, 2016

For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

GLENVILLE, WV - Since the early stages of Glenville State College’s Hidden Promise program, both college officials and public school administrators have had the same common desires for students in the Mountain State: increase the high school and college graduation rates, better prepare them for college enrollment, encourage increased college attendance, and improve their overall success in pursuits of higher education.

The Hidden Promise Consortium has flourished in the years since the initial 13 district superintendents signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GSC in June 2007. The Consortium has grown to include all 55 school districts across West Virginia from which over 2,000 8-12th grade Hidden Promise Scholars (HPS) hail. The Consortium quickly adopted HPS as a signature program to identify and mentor 8-12th grade students with undiscovered promise. These students are identified by the district and recognized by Glenville State College as Scholars.

The growth of the program is not unexpected in light of the Consortium’s success; the specialized attention 8-12th grade Scholars receive has produced a college-going rate 33 percent greater than the statewide college-going rate.

Hidden Promise Scholars attending a recent summer camp

Thinking back on when he first began conversations with officials in the original 13 Hidden Promise Consortium counties, GSC President Dr. Peter Barr recalls finding several recurring themes. “I found welcoming educators committed to overcoming the hurdles faced by K-12 students who often come from low to moderate family incomes and reduced educational expectations,” he said. “Those local leaders were seeking to create best-practices in the classroom and to heighten educational aspirations against the formidable odds of sometimes-dire rural circumstances. I found myself admiring these superintendents and their high ambitions for both teachers and students and that theme has certainly presented itself again and again as we have worked to add the rest of West Virginia’s school systems to Glenville State’s Hidden Promise Consortium.”

Still today, county school leaders recognize the importance of this unique program. Kanawha County Superintendent Ron Duerring says he sees the benefits of the program as soon as students find out they have been chosen to participate. “They’re excited. That child is getting an opportunity they may not have had otherwise and they can see their future opening up,” he said.

Tucker County Superintendent Eddie Campbell says he is excited by the idea of the program and the opportunities that it gives to students from his county to get a college education at a school that isn’t that far away from home. He also appreciates the peer mentoring aspect that goes along with it. “Going to college is a new experience and it can be an overwhelming culture-shock for these students, even at a smaller school. Having that connection between the student and their mentor creates such an important level of support and encouragement,” he said.

President and Mrs. Barr with the first group of GSC Hidden Promise Scholars

More than 100 Glenville State students receive scholarships for mentoring 8-12th grade Hidden Promise Scholars. They complete a federal background check and are trained and supervised by the Hidden Promise staff. The HPS program also hosts age-specific summer camps that bring Scholars from across the state for multi-day residential college-like experiences. These camps are available to the Scholars at no cost, including transportation to and from their home counties if they need it.

Wirt County Superintendent Mary Jane Pope Albin agrees that participation in the Hidden Promise program is significant for students. “It’s not just a one-time thing, it is sustained contact and support toward making a college choice which is invaluable. The program certainly helps students and their families make important educational and social choices,” she said.

HPS Coordinator Stacy Adkins meets with an on-campus scholar

After students are inducted into the program, they can keep in contact with their mentor and communicate with HPS staff in a number of ways. In addition to being invited to campus for athletic events, theatrical, and musical performances, receiving phone calls from their mentor, and being linked to the social media pages for the program, the students and their families also can attend community gatherings that are planned by Off-Campus Coordinators in the Hidden Promise office. The events, which take place in the schools and at local restaurants, are informal meetings with the Scholars, their families, county school principals and counselors, and Hidden Promise mentors and staff.

Currently, over one hundred and fifty Scholars are enrolled at Glenville State. They receive not only specialized support from Hidden Promise staff, but also an annual scholarship of $1,000 renewable with standard academic progress.

“It’s a great program that has a strong mission and it stays true to that mission. That’s why it’s been successful,” added Duerring.

For more information about the Hidden Promise Consortium at Glenville State College, contact (304) 462-6100.