ROANOKE, W.Va. — The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s new Master Plan focuses on making college more affordable in the Mountain State and improving the college completion rate.
HEPC members discussed the plan, Leading the Way: Access. Success. Impact, during their meeting Friday at Stonewall Resort in Lewis County.
State Higher Education Chancellor Dr. Paul Hill said the current completion rate of 48 percent must improve, especially for those students who desire to earn a degree.
“There are some things that can’t be addressed but there are some things we can do once a student makes that decision,” Hill said.
The Master Plan encourages colleges and universities to invest more in things like mentoring groups for freshmen and changing programs to let students know up front what will be expected of them.
“They know ahead of time exactly what they have to take, when they have to take it, and ensuring they are on track to graduate on time.”
Chancellor Hill added the thinking needs to change.
“It’s not just about the numbers coming in the door. It has to be about the numbers going out the door,” Hill said.
The Master Plan also addresses ways of keeping college affordable in West Virginia at a time when state support has decreased.
Hill and the HEPC’s new chairman Dr. Bruce Berry outlined the vision of the Master Plan during Friday’s meeting. Representatives of all boards of governors from the state’s colleges and universities were on hand.