GEAR UP SWV

Securing a Legacy of Strength & Resilience in Appalachia

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Students in Mercer County (left and middle) pose for a picture with GEAR UP SWV Local Coordinator Beth Henry during a Meet and Greet in Princeton, WV in Fall 2023.
Students from Glenwood Middle ate at Concord University’s Dining Hall during a campus visit Fall 2023.
Eighth grade students in Summers County give a thumbs up during the Student Success Agency kick off event in Fall 2023.
Students at PikeView Middle School share a hug during the Student Success Agency kickoff event in Fall 2023.
A student at Pineville Middle School gives a high five to spoken word poet, Cynthia Amoah, during the Student Success Agency kickoff event in Fall 2023

About GEAR UP SWV

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federal grant designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in public and private colleges and universities and community colleges immediately after high school.

The US Department of Education provides seven-year grants to states and partnerships to provide services at middle and high schools where more than 50% of the students qualify for free/reduced lunch.

GEAR UP grantees serve an entire cohort of students beginning no later than seventh grade and follow the cohort into high school.

Our partnership grant includes Concord University, New River Community and Technical College, community organizations, business partners, and schools in Southern West Virginia (Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming Counties).

The grant is a one-time award, beginning in September 2022 and will continue through August 2029.

The GEAR UP program provides funding and programming for professional development for teachers and administrators, academic and cultural enrichment for students, and assistance for parents and students in becoming familiar with college options, financial aid, and transition concerns.

Where is GEAR UP SWV Located?

College (IHE) Partners

New River Community and Technical College

Concord University

Mercer County

Monroe County

Raleigh County

Summers County

Summers Comprehensive High School

Wyoming County

Who We Serve

GEAR UP SWV serves students who will graduate high school in class of 2028 and 2029

Students & Parents/Guardians

Local Coordinators

Staff Spotlight

Meet Kristen!

Kristen J. Williams is a lifelong native of Bluefield, WV, where she has held a plethora of positions and engaged in many educational opportunities. Kristen is a graduate of Bluefield State College, where she was a member of the NASA Emerging Leader’s Institute, the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, as well as the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. At BSC, Kristen was an Honors College Scholar and a Thurgood Marshall Scholar. She was employed by BSC as a student mentor and advisor in the Student Services Department. She participated in community service activities and was vice-president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Beta Omicron Chapter. During this era, she was also elected by her peers to serve as Miss Bluefield State College and was featured in national magazines.

Upon graduating from Bluefield State College with honors, Kristen was employed as an Educational Talent Search Counselor working with rural underserved populations, first generation students, where she facilitated math and science related activities for mentees, as well as curricular and co-curricular activities. During this time, she also completed requirements for her M.S. degree in Business Strategic Leadership at Mountain State University with honors. She was later employed by Concord University as assistant Academic Advisor of the Veteran’s Upward Bound Program and later, as Director of the Veteran’s Upward Bound Program. During this time, Kristen completed a second Master’s degree program in Social Work at Concord University, with honors, while participating in honorary societies.

Currently, Kristen enjoys working with students in the GEAR UP SWV Program at Concord University, where she plans educational opportunities and encourages students to aspire to completion of college degrees, In her free time, she helps with community activities and enjoys spending time with her ten year old twin daughters, who are also involved in a wide variety of activities and life experiences.

How GEAR UP SWV Can Help You

West Virginia is rated as one of the highest low-income states in America, listed in 4th place.

Together, we can change this through increasing services such as mentoring, workshops, college visits, and financial literacy lessons.

This can be combated through career exploration and job shadowing to support future employees within West Virginia.

Unemployment rates rose in West Virginia to 7.9%, while America’s national average unemployment rate declined to 6.3%.

Low postsecondary rates lower West Virginia employment opportunities.

Increasing enrollment rates of four-year colleges will increase better-paying job opportunities. Bachelor graduates make twice as much as high school graduates.

Postsecondary success activities increase employment opportunities and increase one’s annual income.

The average income of a person living in West Virginia is $46,711, while the average annual income for the nation is $68,703, putting West Virginia at a $21,992 difference from the national average.

The National Center for Education Statistics calculated that college attendees from rural areas comprise 29%, while people from cities were 48%.

Increasing academic counseling and college visits aid in the availability of resources for children and families in rural areas.

GEAR UP SWV services provide 24-hour online tutor services that increase students’ academic performance.

Income level affects students’ academic performance, represented in a math proficiency test comparison indicating a decreasing gap between 8th and 11th graders within West Virginia.

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