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Successful Community Driven College Access Initiatives

Successful Community Driven College Access Initiatives. A Statewide Perspective. History of Financial Aid Outreach In West Virginia. Multiple parties saw a need to increase awareness regarding the importance of educating students/families about financial aid opportunities.

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Successful Community Driven College Access Initiatives

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  1. Successful Community Driven College Access Initiatives A Statewide Perspective

  2. History of Financial Aid Outreach In West Virginia • Multiple parties saw a need to increase awareness regarding the importance of educating students/families about financial aid opportunities. • Initial efforts were made by independent organizations such as TRiO, Gear Up, School Counselors, WV Higher Education Policy Commission and the WV State Financial Aid Association.

  3. CGS: Creating a Common Initiative • In 2008 the planning process began to bring CGS to West Virginia. • An initial meeting involving potential partners was conducted to conduct the viability of CGS. • Skepticism • Territorial Concerns • Consensus that increased awareness was essential

  4. Building a Collaborative Network • The art of effective listening is essential to clear communication, and clear communication is necessary to management success. -James Cash Penney

  5. Building a Collaborative Network • Established organized communication methods following the initial meeting: • E-mail • Webpage • Conference Calls • This created a forum for consistent feedback and involvement.

  6. Creating a Sense of Ownership • Involved parties in the development of the Site Coordinator Handbook • Was able to ask individuals from the various partner organizations to serve as Site Coordinators • In turn, they were able to ask for volunteers based on their involvement in the local communities… setting the stage for strong grassroots marketing strategies.

  7. Grass Roots Marketing Strategies • Word of Mouth • Speaking to community groups, churches, school counselors, teachers, and students • Local Interviews • Newspapers • Television • Radio • Community Calendars, Business Websites, etc.

  8. CGS 2010 Results • Total number of sites: 17 • Total number of volunteers: 207 • Total number of students receiving help completing the FAFSA: 327 • Total number of people, including students and family members who attended a CGS event: 370+

  9. Feedback • Conducted follow-up meeting with all Site Coordinators to conduct a S.W.O.T analysis • Strengths • Weaknesses • Opportunities • Threats

  10. Words Put Into Action • Move CGS Operations within the WV Higher Education Policy Commission from Financial Aid and Outreach Services to the Division of Student Success & P-20 Initiatives • Created additional opportunities for shared resources as well as shared communication methods

  11. Words Put Into Action • Created additional partnerships to expand services and create awareness • Harrison County YMCA • VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) • WV Alliance for Sustainable Families • TRiO & College Access Challenge Grant Funds

  12. Words Put Into Action • New and improved website which links in with the College Foundation of West Virginia one-stop web portal • Easier for individuals to find information about the event • Site Coordinators and other partners have immediate access to general information and marketing materials • On-line volunteer and participant registration • Stronger Use of Social Media • Facebook • Twitter

  13. CGS 2011 Results • Total number of sites: 18 • Total number of volunteers: 249 • Total number of students receiving help completing the FAFSA: 708 • Total number of people, including students and family members who attended a CGS event: 1526

  14. Recognition • Communicate your appreciation to everyone involved! • Give credit where credit is due! • It takes everyone to make the event a success!

  15. Importance of Collaboration "Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." - Ryunosuke Satoro The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Each individual in a collaboration brings with himself or herself unique characteristics, but when everyone is grouped together, all of those characteristics add up together and become something greater. If you look at the collaborative team as a whole, rather than a conglomerate of individuals, the collaboration will run more smoothly. Source: http://www.brighthub.com/office/collaboration/articles/71425.aspx#ixzz1LPWN5Co1

  16. Additional Information • www.cfwv.com • https://secure.cfwv.com/Financial_Aid_Planning/College_Goal_Sunday.aspx • Angela L. Holley, WVCGS Statewide Coordinator holley1@marshall.edu 304-696-2201

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