CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Fairmont State University is ready to go with what it calls Middle College.
Gov. Jim Justice announced during a Thursday news conference the partnership between Fairmont State and KVC West Virginia.
Fairmont State University Provost Dr. Dianna Phillips said the mission of Middle College will be to provide help and resources to students in the foster care system.
“We will enroll 11th and 12th graders, they will graduate in two years with a high school diploma and an associates degree and already be admitted to bachelor’s degree programs if they choose that path forward,” Phillips said at Thursday’s announcement.
The program is the first of its type in the country and is intended for students from 16 to 18 years old who have experienced foster care. It is the only program of its kind in the nation.
KVC West Virginia is a non-profit dedicated to strengthening families and preventing child abuse, and president Brent Lemon told the governor they were excited to get the program underway.
“We have been working on this together with Fairmont State University on this for the last two years, and it feels good to move into the next phase of this,” Lemon said.
Referrals are being accepted now for the Fall 2024 semester.
“These are students who haven’t always had someone there to say,” We’ve got your back,” Fairmont State University president Michael Davis said. “So, we’ve got an entire campus of people ready to welcome them.”
The program adds another resource to education in the Mountain State to help those who may not have the opportunity for higher education otherwise. Additionally, it gives high-school-age students a college experience while living on campus.
“When those students graduate and become Fairmont State University students and graduate from college, these are the generational changes we’re talking about,” Davis said.
Davis, a first-time college student as well, hopes to make a serious impact that improves the quality of life for children in the foster care system.
“People hear me say all the time that if we’re a public university, then we need to serve the public,” Davis said. “I think this is a once-in-a lifetime chance for us to serve the public.”
All tuition, fees, and campus living expenses are fully covered by federal and state sources. Also, KVC’s community-based support services and round-the-clock on-campus assistance will be provided at no cost to participating students.
Senate President Craig Blair and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw have supported Middle College and the partnership.