The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program
OUR MISSION
The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program enhances access to a baccalaureate higher education for Northern Virginia high school graduates who have both the desire and the capacity to achieve a baccalaureate degree, but whose likelihood of academic success and access to higher education would be significantly enhanced by receiving the special support and structural guidance provided by the Pathway Program. The program provides an environment for a smooth transition and increased retention of students from high school, through Northern Virginia Community College, to George Mason University or another university of the student’s choice.
OUR PARTNERSHIP
The Pathway to the Baccalaureate program was launched in Fall 2005 through a united effort and common goal to improve college access and success for students in Northern Virginia. The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program is a joint initiative of Arlington County Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools, Loudoun County Public Schools, Northern Virginia Community College, and George Mason University. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation co-supports our Loudoun County operations. Program scholarships have graciously been provided through the generosity of the following donors: The Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA), The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, the JEB Stuart High School Educational Foundation, the Wachovia Foundation, and Professor Richard Semmler.
WHAT WE DO
The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program provides support to students as they transition from participating high schools to NOVA, throughout NOVA, and as they transfer from NOVA to George Mason or another university. Our interventions include:
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One-on-one meetings with a Pathway Counselor to prepare for college transition |
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Regular workshops on college transition issues, including placement test preparation and financial aid |
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Personalized assistance with applying for financial aid and scholarships |
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Early placement testing and priority registration |
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Learning community/cohort courses and student development programming at NOVA |
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Grant and scholarship funding dedicated to program participants |
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Participation in academic, social, athletic and cultural events at both NOVA and George Mason University |
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Designated program counselors on campus to guide students through their college careers |
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Assistance with each step of transferring to a four-year college or university |
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Opportunity to enroll in classes at Mason while completing a NOVA degree |
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Opportunity, if qualified, to apply early for junior year admission to Mason |
OUR SCHOOLS
The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program currently operates in 28 high schools and centers across Northern Virginia, including 12 sites in Fairfax County, 10 in Loudoun County, and 6 in Arlington County. Pathway students currently attend all six campuses of NOVA, and the Fairfax campus of George Mason University.
EARLY OUTCOMES DATA (COHORTS ONE & TWO)
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85% of students transitioned from high school directly into post-secondary education |
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12% of students transitioned directly from high school into a four-year institution |
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90.5% of students at NOVA were retained from the first to the second semester |
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81% of cohort one students at NOVA were retained from the first to the second year |
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72% of cohort one students were in good academic standing after the first semester |
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98% of cohort one students earned college credit in the first year |
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First NOVA program graduate: December 2007; first cohort to graduate from NOVA in May 2008 |
OUR STUDENTS
Approximately 1850 students are participating in the Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program in the 2007-2008 academic year. 93% meet one or more US Department of Education criteria known to adversely affect academic persistence in college.
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High school GPA range: 1.56 to 4.0; median high school GPA: 2.72 |
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76% of participating students are members of minority groups |
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69% of participating students are the first in their families to attend college |
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67% of participating students report an annual family income less than half the median family income in the Northern Virginia region |
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32% of participating students report having a documented disability |
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Federal Financial Aid participation rate of 37% is more than double the NOVA average |
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Student deferrals and “stop-out” students returning to enroll at high rates |
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Students represent more than 50 countries and speak more than 25 languages |
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35% of students completed at least one college credit course while in high school |
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55% of students completed at least one Tech Prep/Vocational/Technical course while in high school |
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PATHWAY TO THE BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM LINKS |
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| VIEW OUR PROGRAM FACT SHEET | DIRECTORY OF PATHWAY PROGRAM STAFF AND PARTICIPATING HIGH SCHOOLS AND CENTERS |
| VIEW OUR PROGRAM BROCHURE | PATHWAY STUDENTS: VIEW CURRENT SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS |
| PATHWAY PROGRAM CALENDAR OF EVENTS (COMING SOON) | VIEW PHOTOS FROM PATHWAY PROGRAM EVENTS (COMING SOON) |
| VIEW OUR CURRENT PROGRAM NEWSLETTER (COMING SOON) | |
FOR PROGRAM INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: POTENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP DONORS SHOULD CONTACT
Kerin A. Hilker-Balkissoon, Program Director THE NVCC EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION:
8333 Little River Turnpike, CG 202, Annandale, VA 22003 4001 Wakefield Chapel Road, Annandale, Virginia 22003
TEL. 703-323-3063 / FAX. 703-323-2341 / KHILKER@NVCC.EDU tel. (703) 323-3023 / fax. (703) 323-3751 /FOUNDATION@NVCC.EDU