WHO GETS TO GO TO COLLEGE? EXPLORING ACCESS IN THE COMMONWEALTH

Kathleen Daly (Workforce Education Specialist, The Literacy Institute), David Naff (Assistant Director of MERC) - Virginia Commonwealth University, Paula Robinson (Assistant Director of College Access and PK12 Outreach) - State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, Charleita Richardson (President and CEO) - Partnership for the Future 

This session will feature a presentation from members of the team that carried out the Virginia College Access Resource Study, which was commissioned by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and made possible through funding from Virginia 529. The presentation will explore the need for college access support in Region One of the Commonwealth and will discuss the resources available to help students gain access to postsecondary education. The team will also share findings about trends in college access need and support from providers across the state. They will identify which types of students are currently a focus for college access efforts, and will discuss some of the potential barriers perceived by first-generation college students, in particular. In this interactive session, participants will have a chance to share their own ideas and experience working to support students in their postsecondary endeavors, while learning more about potential barriers to college enrollment, the geographic distribution of need for postsecondary access support, and the resources that can help to address that need. Efforts to support students in considering and attending college can -- and should -- begin early, so those who work with elementary and middle school students are encouraged to attend the session to share their perspectives.