- What’s Up in GEAR UP SWV – 1st Edition – October 2023
- What’s Up in GEAR UP SWV – 2nd Edition – November 2023
- What’s Up in GEAR UP SWV – 3rd Edition – December 2023 / January 2024
- What’s Up in GEAR UP SWV – 4th Edition – February 2024
- What’s Up in GEAR UP SWV – 5th Edition – March 2024
- What’s Up in GEAR UP SWV – 6th Edition – April 2024
- What’s Up in GEAR UP SWV – 7th Edition – August 2024 – Back to School
- What’s Up in GEAR UP SWV – 8th Edition – December 24 / January 2025
YEAR ONE, 2022-2023
- September 16, 2022 – Concord University Received Federal GEAR UP Grant Totaling More Than $20 Million – Press/News Release
- January 27, 2022 – GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (GEAR UP SWV) To Host Area Middle Schoolers For Kick Off Event – Press/News Release
- January 2022 – Scholarship Giveaways Create Hope For Monroe County Winner – Press/News Release
- May 11, 2023 – GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (GEAR UP SWV) Offers On-Demand Academic Support – Press/News Release
- June 14, 2023 – GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (GEAR UP SWV) Offers Several Summer Opportunities For Students – Press/News Release
- September 7, 2023 – Educators Planning to Increase College Going Rates in WV – Press/News Release
YEAR TWO, 2023-2024
- September 20, 2023 – Parents/Guardians are Invited to Meet Up with the GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (GEAR UP SWV) Team During Regional Tour – Press/News Release
- September 25, 2023 – Five Southern West Virginia Counties Celebrate National GEAR UP Week September 25 – 29 – Press/News Release
- September 28, 2023 – W.Va. Governor Jim Justice Proclaims September 25-29, 2023 as National GEAR UP for College Week to Honor GEAR UP Southern West Virginia’s Work- Press News/Release
- October 23, 2023 – GEAR UP SWV Offers Tutor.com to Teachers, Families and Students in Southern West Virginia-Press/News Release
- Dec. 3, 2023 – GEAR UP SWV Kicks Off Empowering Initiatives in Southern West Virginia with Student Success Agency – Press/News Release
- Jan. 8, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Using Data to Steer Program with Appointment of New Assistant Director- Press/News Release
- Jan. 25, 2024 – Empowering Education: Regional Event Aims to Accelerate 9th Grade Algebra 1 Completion Amidst Post-Pandemic Challenges – Press/News Release and Packet
- April 15, 2024 – Regional Education Leaders Making Big Plans for 24-25 School Year – Press/News Release
- April 16, 2024 GEAR UP SWV Invites Parents & Students to Explore College Options on Campus Tour – Press/News Release
- May 13, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Partners with WVU Tech for Overnight STEM Camp in Beckley – Press/News Release and Packet
- May 16, 2024 – DEADLINE EXTENDED GEAR UP SWV / WVU Tech Overnight STEM Camp Registration – Press/News Release
- June 21, 2024 – GEAR UP Southern West Virginia hosting STEM Camp – (Collaborative Media Advisory with WVU Tech)
- August 5, 2024 – Program for Southern West Virginia Students is a First in the Country – Press/News Release
- August 15, 2024 – Zach Gowen to Highlight GEAR UP SWV Family Nights 202 Hosted in Mercer and Wyoming Counties
- August 19, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV 9th-Grade Commitment to Graduate Event to Feature Dr. Adolph Brown
YEAR THREE, 2024-2025
- September 16, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Regional Advisory Council (RAC) Meeting to Focus on Success Press/News Packet
- September 17, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Launches College and Career Clubs at RAC Meeting – Press/News Release
- September 19, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Hosts Virtual Algebra 1 Think Tank on September 26th – Press/News Release
- Sept. 22, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Schools and Districts Celebrate National GEAR UP Week 2024 – Press/News Release
- Oct. 9, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Encourages School Attendance with Hands On Experience of the Historic Wurlitzer Organ – Press/News Release
- Oct. 15, 24 Student Success Agency Provides Crucial Services to Students in Southern West Virginia GEAR UP SWV – Press/News Release
- Nov. 4, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Kicks Off Events for Class of 2029 in Mercer, Summers, and Wyoming Counties – Press/News Advisory
- Nov. 22, 2024 – **UPDATED DATES & TIMES** GEAR UP SWV Kicks Off Events for Class of 2029 in Mercer, Summers and Wyoming Counties – Press/News Advisory
2022
Concord University receives federal GEAR UP grant totaling more than $20 million – The Hinton News – Newspaper
2023
Kickoff Event – Press/News Release
- Concord University & New River Career & Technical College help area students ‘GEAR UP’ – WVVA- TV
- GEAR UP bringing scholarships to Beckley event – The Register Herald newspaper
- GEAR UP SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA TO HOST AREA MIDDLE SCHOOLERS – WWNR Radio & Web
- Classic Hits 106 WHFI-FM 106.7 Monroe County Technical Center – LIVE interview
- GEAR UP Southern West Virginia to host middle schoolers at Raleigh County kick off event today – WOAY-TV
- Over 3,500 middle school students attend GEAR UP Southern West Virginia kickoff event – WVNS-TV
Peterstown Empowerment Conference
- Peterstown Students Learn from Experts at Empowerment Academy Bluefield Daily Telegraph – Newspaper
- Concord University Hosts Student Empowerment and GEAR UP Event – WVVA – TV
Tutor.com Permission Slips – Press/News Release
- GEAR UP SWV offers on demand academic support at home – The Hinton News – Newspaper
- New Online tutoring service offered through West Virginia GEAR UP program
Summer 2023 Camps
- GEAR UP SWV offers several summer opportunities for students – The Hinton News – Newspaper
- GEAR UP SWV readies for summer programs for area youth – WVVA – TV
- GEAR UP SWV to offer several summer opportunities for students – WVVA – TV
- GEAR UP SWV hosting summer camps – The Register Herald newspaper
- GEAR UP SWV offers several summer opportunities for students – The Hinton News – Newspaper
- GEAR UP SWV Host Free Adventure Camp – WVNS – TV
GEAR UP program aims to prepare students for college – Bluefield Dailey Telegraph – Newspaper
Educators hold meeting for GEAR UP SWV activities-WVVA News – TV
Concord University’s GEAR UP Southern West Virginia Program– WOAY – TV
GEAR UP Meeting at Concord University – 59News WVNS
Online Academic Resources Now Available For Southern W.Va. Students – WVPB
What is up, GEAR UP SWV Regional Tour (National GEAR UP Week) – Press/News Release
- GEAR UP Southern West Virginia invites parents/guardians to meet the team during regional tour – WVVA – TV
- GEAR UP SWV to hold “Meet Up” event for parents/guardians of students – WVVA – TV
- GEAR UP SWV Works to Start Conversations about colleges, careers with middle school students – WVVA – TV
Tutor.com Available – Press/News Release
- GEAR UP SWV offering Tutor.com services to middle school students in five counties – WOAY – TV
- Online Academic Resources Now Available For Southern W.Va. Students – WVPB Radio
- GEAR UP SWV offers tutoring resource to help students in southern West Virginia – 59News WVNS
- West Virginia students can receive free tutoring online – WVVA – TV
Student Support Agency Kickoffs– Press/News Release
- 8th grade students to receive mentors through GEAR UP SWV and SSA in three WV counties – WVVA News – TV
- GEAR UP Southern West Virginia partners with Student Success Agency – 59 News WVNS – TV
New Hire (Sheila Barnhart Womack) Focuses on Data – Press/News Release
- GEAR UP SWV Using Data to Steer Program with Appointment of New Assistant Director
- Womack joins Concord University’s GEAR UP SWV – The Register Herald newspaper
Resources to Increase 9th Grade Algebra 1 Completion Provided During Regional Advisory Council (RAC) Meeting – Press/News Release
- New River CTC and GEAR UP SWV organize ‘Learning Beyond the Classroom’ event for Oceana Middle students at The Greenbrier Resort– Lootpress
- Oceana students tour bunker, hotel in immersive history lesson – The Register Herald newspaper
Regional Education Leaders Making Big Plans for 24-25 School Year – Press/News Release
GEAR UP SWV Invites Parents & Students to Explore College Options on Campus Tour – Press/News Release
- GEAR UP SWV to hold college campus tour, spots still available – WOAY-TV
- Parents, students invited to explore college options – The Register Herald newspaper
GEAR UP SWV Partners with WVU Tech for Overnight STEM Camp in Beckley– Press/News Release and Packet
-
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia still has openings for their partnership program with WVU Tech – WOAY – TV
DEADLINE EXTENDED GEAR UP SWV / WVU Tech Overnight STEM Camp Registration – Press/News Release
- Deadline to apply for Camp has been extended – The Register Herald newspaper
- Deadline to apply for Camp has been extended – Bluefield Daily Telegraph newspaper
- GEAR UP SWV extends application deadline for Camp Stem to May 19 – WOAY TV
- WVU Tech to host GEAR UP SWV STEM Camp – WVNS-TV
- Registration for Gear Up SWV’s STEM Camp registration closes at midnight – WVVA- TV
- PHOTOS: GEARUP SWV STEM Camp – Register Herald
- GEAR UP Southern West Virginia holds first ever STEM Camp at WVU Tech – WVNS-TV
New River CTC and GEAR UP SWV host Adventure camp – The Register Herald newspaper
Program for Southern West Virginia Students is a First in the Country – Press/News Release
- Program for southern West Virginia students is a first in the country – The Register Herald newspaper
- New tutoring program to help southern West Virginia students – WVVA-TV
- New Program for W.Va. students is a first in the country – Bluefield Daily Telegraph
- GEAR UP SWV helping out in Mercer County Schools – WVNS-TV
- Mercer County GEAR UP program provides school supplies to high school freshmen – WVVA-TV
Zach Gowen to Highlight GEAR UP SWV Family Nights 202 Hosted in Mercer and Wyoming Counties – Press/News Release
- Zach Gowen to Highlight GEAR UP SWV Family Nights 2024 Hosted in Mercer and Wyoming Counties – The Register Herald newspaper
- GEAR UP SWV helping out in Mercer County Schools – WVNS-TV
- Mercer County GEAR UP program provides school supplies to high school freshmen – WVVA-TV
GEAR UP SWV Launches College and Career Clubs at RAC Meeting – Press/News Release
- GEAR UP SWV begins new College and Career Clubs initiative for student success – WVNS 59News – TV
- GEAR UP Launches College and Career Clubs – The Register Herald
September 19, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Hosts Virtual Algebra 1 Think Tank on September 26th – Press/News Release
- Algebra 1 Think Tank to hold event – The Register Herald – Newspaper
- GEAR UP SWV to host monthly Algebra 1 Think Tank events starting September 26– WOAY-TV
Sept. 22, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Schools and Districts Celebrate National GEAR UP Week 2024 – Press/News Release
- GEAR UP SWV is preparing students for their futures through National GEAR UP Week – WVNS 59News – TV
- Live interview with Keith Thompson about National GEAR UP Week – 99.5 WJLS – Radio
Oct. 15, 24 Student Success Agency Provides Crucial Services to Students in Southern West Virginia GEAR UP SWV – Press/News Release
- Student Success Agency provides services to students in southern West Virginia – The Register~Herald
More than 500 students explore careers at New River CTC event – The Register~Herald
NRCTC Spooktacular Career Expo prepares Mercer County eighth-graders for future – WOAY – TV
Nov. 4, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Kicks Off Events for Class of 2029 in Mercer, Summers, and Wyoming Counties – Press/News Advisory
- Request media coverage and media relations support by filling out “Communications & Promotional Request.”
Some examples of when to use the News Release Request form include the following:
- GEAR UP SWV school/county is hosting an event/workshop and wants local reporters/media to attend.
- A GEAR UP SWV school/student/county has an exciting success story relevant to project goals such as FAFSA completion rates, etc.
- A GEAR UP SWV student/school/county reaches an exciting milestone.
- A GEAR UP SWV school/county is looking to engage parent/guardians to actively participation in an event
Request an update to the GEAR UP SWV website, www.concord.edu/gearup with the “Communications & Promotional Request” form.
Some examples of when to use the Website Update Request form include the following:
- GEAR UP SWV school/county is planning a yearly program for students and you want to share FAQs about the program.
- Contact information to organizations that provide resources to GEAR UP SWV students and families in your region.
- Yearly professional development opportunities for GEAR UP SWV teachers.
- If you find typos or confusing information on the concord.edu/gearup page.
While participating in GEAR UP SWV activities we encourage LCs to share images of the experiences. Here’s some things to keep in mind while taking the images.
- Take pictures of smiles and activity at the event.
- Try to include everyone in at least one image.
- Ensure each image includes students who have permission to be photographed. (Check with GEAR UP SWV Local Coordinator to ensure proper identification)
There are three ways to get involved in the #GEARUPSWV social media buzz.
- Share on your county / school pages using #GEARUPSWV in text.
-
- Ensure each image includes students who have permission to be photographed. (Check with GEAR UP SWV Local Coordinator to ensure students have permission to be photographed.)
- Share approved images with your county or school social media representative to post on their respective pages.
- Include the following details with the representative:
- Date (can be month or even season)
- Name/Description of the event
- Why it’s a GEAR UP SWV event. Share brief statement of why this event is important for the GEAR UP SWV. (Think GEAR UP SWV goals/objectives.)
- Include #GEARUPSW (This will connect the post to the project conversation.) Include hashtag #GEARUPSWV with a post at your school or county’s page and the content could be shared on the GEAR UP SWV central social media pages.
2. Submit images to GEAR UP SWV social media main pages
-
- Ensure each image includes students who have permission to be photographed. (Check with GEAR UP SWV Local Coordinator to ensure students have permission to be photographed.)
- Submit your images to GEAR UP SWV via messenger on Facebook – GEAR UP SWV
- Include the following details:
- Date (can be month or even season)
- Name/Description of the event
- Why it’s a GEAR UP SWV event. Share brief statement of why this event is important for the GEAR UP SWV. (Think GEAR UP SWV goals/objectives.)
3. Submit images and captions using the “Communications & Promotional Request.”
- Ensure each image includes students who have permission to be photographed. (Check with GEAR UP SWV Local Coordinator to ensure proper identification)
- Include the following details:
- Date (can be month or even season)
- Name/Description of the event
- Why it’s a GEAR UP SWV event. Share brief statement of why this event is important for the GEAR UP SWV. (Think GEAR UP SWV goals/objectives.)
- Images could be used on the following sites:
(Be sure to give the pages a follow to stay up on upcoming dates and see what’s happening in the GEAR UP SWV community.)
Some examples of when to share images to county/school pages and/or via messenger include:
- GEAR UP SWV students/school/county attends a college for a visit
- GEAR UP SWV students/school/county hosts a program/event without media coverage
- GEAR UP SWV student wears a shirt with a college on it
- GEAR UP SWV students celebrate FAFSA Day
- GEAR UP SWV students celebrate First Generation College Student Day
- GEAR UP SWV students celebrate National GEAR UP Week
**Always make sure students have permission to be photographed before sharing images.**
Request information from your school or county to be shared in the upcoming What’s Up in GEAR UP SWV Digital Newsletter by filling out the “Communications & Promotional Request.”
Some examples of information that Local Coordinators or District Liaisons can submit include:
- GEAR UP SWV student profile submission
- Introduction to GEAR UP SWV student leaders
- GEAR UP SWV student essay to reflect on GEAR UP SWV event(s)
- Outstanding LC achievement
- Sharing a momentous achievement
- Invitation for other schools to attend an event
- Call for help/assistant/collaboration with an upcoming GEAR UP SWV project
- Outstanding student achievement due in part to GEAR UP SWV work
- Back to school memos
- Winter break memos
- End of school year memos
(Catch up on the latest What’s Up in GEAR UP SWV Digital Newsletter.)
Please note that each submission is a request and might not be featured in the next edition. Email gearup@concord.edu with questions.
Promote your National GEAR UP Week events with the GEAR UP SWV National GEAR UP Week 2024 Tool Kit!
The kit can include:
- 2024 National GEAR UP Week Poster Contest Criteria and Information
- GEAR UP Fact Sheet (For Poster Contest Reference)
- Daily Dress Up Themes Flyer (.pdf file)
- Daily Dress Up Themes Social Media File (.jpg file)
- GEAR UP SWV Logo
- National GEAR UP Week Planning Template
- And more!
Scan for 2024 Toolkit!
When referring to this program, GEAR UP SWV should be in all caps. Please note that GEAR UP should be named before SWV. Email GEAR UP SWV Communications Manager Jessica Lilly at jylilly@concord.edu or GEARUP@concord.edu with questions.
Refer to the GEAR UP SWV Communications Standards and GEAR UP SWV Brand Kit before creating a flyer, social media post, speaking to the media, etc. The GEAR UP SWV Brand Kit includes logo guidelines, GEAR UP SWV colors, and other basic branding guidelines.
- Templates coming soon!