In the photo: P&HCC staff members, including Jentonia Wilson (MVHS Career Coach), Lydia Prillaman (MHS Career Coach), Cherica Williams (BHS Career Coach), Ashley Hughes (Dual Enrollment Support Specialist), Chloe Mayhew (Coordinator of Dual Enrollment), and Stephanie Keith (PCHS Career Coach), are all working together to make the spring campus visits a success.
Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) has received a $15,000 grant as part of a statewide initiative to introduce middle school students to the world of higher education.
The grant is part of the Middle School Campus Visit Project, funded by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education and Commonwealth Savers. P&HCC is one of ten Virginia colleges and universities selected to participate in the program during the 2024-2025 academic year.
The $126,000 grant will help participating institutions host campus visits for local seventh-grade students, with the goal of sparking early interest in higher education and expanding their awareness of postsecondary opportunities. SCHEV Director Scott Fleming emphasized the importance of engaging students at a young age, saying,
"The Middle School Campus Visit Project introduces young students to the possibilities of higher education, sparking their interest in postsecondary pathways early in their academic journey.
By creating age-appropriate and engaging activities, colleges and universities are inspiring students to see themselves as future college students and begin to believe in the high expectations we have for them."
At P&HCC, the grant will fund a series of interactive, hands-on campus visits for local middle school students.
College guides will organize an exciting day of activities designed to engage students and showcase the wide range of programs available at the college.
Students will be exposed to a variety of college resources, including a tour of the Mobile Fab Lab, STEM lab experiments, and visits to the health sciences and skilled trades labs.
They will also have the opportunity to meet with Career Coaches from their respective high schools and learn about dual enrollment and Upward Bound opportunities available to them in high school.
P&HCC President Dr. Greg Hodges expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, "We are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to middle school students in our service region and to welcome them to our campus as they begin to craft their career plans and envision a future of financial stability for themselves."
In addition to the educational activities, students will enjoy lunch on campus and participate in engagement competitions for the chance to win prizes. The campus visits will take place throughout the spring semester.
This project is part of SCHEV’s Level Up initiative, which aims to increase postsecondary readiness, enrollment, and completion for students across Virginia.
Now in its third year, the Middle School Campus Visit Project serves as a critical step in helping young students explore future academic and career pathways while building a culture of high expectations for success.
The visit program is expected to leave a lasting impact on the students, helping them envision the possibilities for their futures.
The program’s collaborative efforts between P&HCC and local high schools will set the foundation for increased college awareness and a smoother transition from middle school to high school and beyond.
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