CU earns TRIO grant to open Educational Opportunity Center
PRESS RELEASE
ATHENS, WV — Concord University has been awarded a federal TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) grant from the U.S. Department of Education, expanding the university’s long-standing commitment to increasing educational access and opportunity throughout southern West Virginia. The grant will provide comprehensive educational, career, and financial planning services to more than 1,000 adults annually in Mercer, McDowell, and Summers counties and will bring nearly $1.5 million in federal funding to the region.
Dr. Andrea Sullivan, director of Upward Bound at Concord University, will serve as director of the new Educational Opportunity Center. Under her leadership, the program will help adults overcome barriers to education and training while creating pathways to greater economic mobility and career success.
The Educational Opportunity Center program, which CU leaders expect to be in operation by late November, is designed to support adults who are seeking to earn a GED, pursue postsecondary education, explore career opportunities, improve financial literacy, and achieve their personal and professional goals. All services will be provided free of charge and will be tailored to meet the individual needs of participants.
“Education changes lives for the better, and this grant allows Concord University to reach even more individuals who can benefit from that opportunity. We look forward to helping adults in Mercer, McDowell, and Summers counties take the next step toward earning a GED, enrolling in post-secondary education, and achieving their career goals,” Sullivan said.
Through the new Educational Opportunity Center, Concord University will offer a wide range of services, including GED preparation and completion assistance, career exploration and planning, college admissions guidance, FAFSA and financial aid support, academic advising, financial literacy education, and referrals to workforce development and community resources.
The program will provide personalized support to individuals at every stage of their educational journey, whether they are earning a GED, entering college for the first time, returning to complete a degree, or seeking new employment and career advancement opportunities. The program is designed to assist students who are the first in their families to pursue a postsecondary education and/or meet federal financial guidelines.
-CU
