The College Summit Experience through the Eyes of Our Volunteers:
College Summit volunteers come from a variety of industries and professions: attorneys, accountants, educators, business and nonprofit leaders, authors, clergy, journalists, engineers, restaurateurs, among many others. These individuals come together to join a team of caring adults to help students succeed in education, life, and their careers. Cheryl Davis, who has been a volunteer writing coach for several years, talks about her first experience at a workshop, “I was amazed at how smoothly volunteers from various backgrounds and locations were integrated into a seamless team.”

Volunteers tell us that something happens at a workshop, something unexpected. They begin the experience with the hope that they will encourage and support students at the workshop. What they don’t expect, however, is that they are given encouragement and support from staff, fellow volunteers, and students. Volunteers share with us that they are changed in the four days, just as students are. Rich Hopkins, a volunteer with College Summit for many years shares, “You will experience the most rewarding, challenging, four days of personal growth in your lifetime.” 

We’ve asked some of our veteran volunteers to share their volunteer experiences with you. We hope that this provides you some insight into the power of the workshop and the amazing things that can be accomplished in only four days…

Leadership West Virginia Gives Back by Mentoring High School Seniors

A group of West Virginia leaders are giving back to their communities through education. The 2011 Class of Leadership West Virginia partnered with College Summit West Virginia to help students plan for college. College Summit West Virginia paired the talented and educated leaders from the Leadership West Virginia class with College Summit peer leaders - seniors who participated in a College Summit workshop last summer. The one-on-one, one-hour mentoring session took place during the Leadership West Virginia session on education at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs. The students also had the opportunity to get to know other members of the Leadership West Virginia class during a luncheon sponsored by BrickStreet Insurance.

WV Peer Leaders Recognized as EQT Students of Excellence

Three College Summit West Virginia Peer Leaders were selected as EQT Students of Excellence: Nick Alexander, Trevor Addison, and Keelee J. McCarty. A full list of the recipients can be found on the State Journal website. Watch Nick Alexander’s interview on WV Media’s Decision Makers with Bray Cary. (Segment 5)

ECA Foundation Makes $1.25 Million Commitment to College Summit

Over the last decade, thanks to the unwavering support and guidance from ECA Foundation and the Mork Family, College Summit has served over 21,000 West Virginia students and will serve an additional 8,000 during the upcoming school year. At the 2011 College Summit Awards banquet,  Julie Mork announced that the ECA Foundation had renewed its 5-year,  $1.25 million commitment to College Summit West Virginia.

A Four-Day Experience to Change the Next Four Years
With the support of more than 70 volunteers, talented workshop staff, and 15 fantastic alumni, 241 rising seniors received guidance and support to prepare for their futures this summer.

Who are College Summit alumni?

Current college students who participated in the College Summit class during high school and/or attended a summer workshop are considered College Summit alumni and receive professional and personal development opportunities throughout their academic career to prepare for the workforce and life beyond college. College Summit alumni also have the opportunity to return each summer to support the peer leaders at the workshop. College Summit alumni see this as a way to “pay it forward” and are dedicated to the program to help other students learn, grow, and succeed.

LaChel House, a peer leader from South Charleston High School, writes about her workshop experience in an article for the Charleston Gazette’s Flipside section.

“College Summit is an experience that can’t be duplicated. I encourage every junior to look into it and consider going.”

Bill Rosenberger of The Herald-Dispatch interviews College Summit alumni and volunteers who attend or graduated from Marshall University about why they give back to College Summit.

College Summit West Virginia Rolls Out the Red Carpet

On May 3, more than 370 students, educators, volunteers, alumni, donors, and other community supporters got the red carpet treatment at an awards event to honor those individuals, schools, and organizations who have helped build the college-going culture in schools and communities.

Raleigh County Peer Leaders met with the Raleigh County Board of Education to discuss how College Summit workshops, curriculum, and peer coaching have helped them and others in planning for their futures.