Trending
ELKINS -- The national student mentoring nonprofit organization Strive for College is honoring Davis & Elkins College for helping low-income and first-generation students earn bachelor's degrees.
"Davis & Elkins College is committed to providing a transformative educational experience to every one of our students," said D&E President Chris A. Wood. "We are grateful to receive this honor from Strive for College and look forward to a continued partnership in helping students achieve their full potential."
Students who are the first in their family to pursue higher education or come from a low-income household continue to be severely underrepresented on college campuses, despite high educational aspirations. While more than 80% of such students have expectations of going to college in 10th grade, only 20% will earn a bachelor's degree by the age of 25.
Davis & Elkins College is working to reverse that trend by providing guidance to low-income and first-generation students. Strive for College has recognized those efforts with an award of excellence in its "Strive Five" distinction of inclusion.
Strive for College's "Strive Five" distinctions -- inclusion, diversity, affordability, competition and outcomes -- are a set of data-based measures of actual performance in five key areas that demonstrate a tangible commitment to students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
Davis & Elkins College partners with Strive for College to ensure that every qualified student who wants to attend college has the opportunity to do so. As the only college in West Virginia listed in Strive for College's publication "I'm First! Guide to College," D&E further supports first-generation college students in obtaining the resources they need to succeed.
Strive for College was founded in 2007 by Michael J. Carter and has grown to become a respected college access organization doing in-person mentoring across the country. After merging with the Center for Student Opportunity in 2016, Strive for College now runs ImFirst.org and publishes the "I'm First! Guide to College."