Concord University is receiving a federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) partnership grant for seven years totaling more than $20 million (about $2.9 million per year). Concord, in partnership with New River Community and Technical College, will serve students in Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming County schools.
Media Center
Welcome to the GEAR UP Southern West Virginia News page—your source for the latest updates, stories, and events from across Southern West Virginia.
Here you’ll find press releases, news coverage, and featured events that highlight student success and community impact. Reporters, partners, and families alike can use this page to stay informed and connected.
For media inquiries, interview requests, or access to photos, video, or logos, please contact the Communications Manager.
GEAR UP SWV Newsletters
Sixteenth Edition of GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, April 2026
Fifteenth Edition of GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, March 2026
Fourteenth Edition of GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, February 2026
Thirteenth Edition of GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, January 2026
Twelfth Edition of GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, December 2025
Eleventh Edition GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, November 2025
Tenth Edition GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, October 2025
Seventh Edition GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, August 2024
Sixth Edition GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, April 2024
Fifth Edition GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, March 2024
Fourth Edition GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, February 2024
Third Edition GEAR UP SWV Newsletter, December 2023 & January 2024
GEAR UP SWV Extends Summer Camp Registration Deadline to May 31
Some GEAR UP SWV Summer Camps Full as Registration Deadline Approaches
Concord University is receiving a federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) partnership grant for seven years totaling more than $20 million (about $2.9 million per year). Concord, in partnership with New River Community and Technical College, will serve students in Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming County schools.
GEAR UP SWV to Host “MCSTEAM Into Your Future” Event for Mercer County Students
GEAR UP SWV will host the MCSTEAM Into Your Future event on May 8, 2026, at Mercer Mall, bringing Mercer County ninth and tenth-grade students together for hands-on STEAM learning and career exploration activities.
GEAR UP SWV in the News
Check the links below to find stories from media outlets about GEAR UP SWV. Our students are doing big things!
Registration open for GEAR UP Southern West Virginia’s summer activities at Concord
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia hosts “MCSTEAM into Your Future” event at Mercer Mall – WVNS – TV
James Monroe Students Spotlight GEAR UP SWV Impact Through Award-Winning Video – Lootpress– Digital/Web News
Funding is available for high school students to attend career-focused summer camps – WVTF – Radio
GEAR UP Southern WV providing grant money for students to pursue summer camps WVNS – TV
Registration Opens March 9 for GEAR UP SWV 2026 Summer Camps – WVNS – TV
Registration open now for GEAR UP SWV 2026 camps– WOAY – TV
GEAR UP SWV invites Class of 2028 and 2029 students to attend WVU Tech and West Virginia Osteopathic School of Medicine bus tours on March 28 – WOAY – TV
GEAR UP SWV accepting registrations for WVU Bus Tour on March 7 – WOAY – TV
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia & New River CTC Bring Virtual Reality Career Exploration to Local High Schools – Lootpress– Digital/Web News
Area students showcase books at Concord University event – Bluefield Daily Telegraph – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV invites Class of 2028 and 2029 students to attend WVU Tech and West Virginia Osteopathic School of Medicine bus tours on March 28 – WOAY – TV
GEAR UP SWV tutoring program shows results for students in class of 2028 and 2029 – WVVA – TV
New River CTC Launches VR Career Exploration for Southern WV High School Students – Lootpress – Digital/Web News
Raleigh County Schools launch research-driven plan to support ninth-grade transition – Lootpress – Digital/Web News
Raleigh County pairs student voice with evidence to boost ninth-grade success– WVVA – TV
Raleigh County gears Middle School students up for transition to High School with support from GEAR UP SWV and Vela Institute – WOAY – TV
GEARUPSWV teaches students financial responsibility – WVVA – TV
Southern W.Va. Students Get A Look At Life After High School – West Virginia Public Broadcasting – Radio
Area schools celebrate National GEAR UP Week – The Register Herald – Newspaper
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia at Bluefield High School – WVVA – TV
National GEAR UP Week helping students get ready for college – Bluefield Daily Telegraph – Newspaper
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia Inspires Freshmen to commit to graduation – WVVA – TV
GEAR UP Southern W.Va. engages 9th graders to start thinking about a diploma – MetroNews – Radio
WVU STEM Camp Slide Show 4 – Bluefield Daily Telegraph – NewspaperWVU STEM Camp Slide Show 3 – Bluefield Daily Telegraph – Newspaper
WVU STEM Camp Slide Show 2 – Bluefield Daily Telegraph – Newspaper
WVU STEM Camp Slide Show 1 – Bluefield Daily Telegraph – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV announces 2025 summer camps – The Register~Herald – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV announces 2025 summer camps– Bluefield Daily Telegraph – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV Using Data to Steer Program with Appointment of New Assistant Director – Hinton News – Newspaper
Womack joins Concord University’s GEAR UP SWV – The Register Herald -Newspaper
GEAR UP adds algebra assist at event on Friday – The Register Herald – Newspaper
New River CTC and GEAR UP SWV organize ‘Learning Beyond the Classroom’ event for Oceana Middle students at The Greenbrier Resort– Lootpress – Digital/Web News
Oceana students tour bunker, hotel in immersive history lesson – The Register Herald – Newspaper
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia creates exciting plans for upcoming students – WVNS – TV
GEAR UP SWV to hold college campus tour, spots still available – WOAY – TV
Parents, students invited to explore college options – The Register Herald – Newspaper
Deadline to apply for Camp has been extended – The Register Herald – Newspaper
Deadline to apply for Camp has been extended – Bluefield Daily Telegraph – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV extends application deadline for Camp Stem to May 19 – WOAY – TV
WVU Tech to host GEAR UP SWV STEM Camp – WVNS – TV
Registration for Gear Up SWV’s STEM Camp registration closes at midnight – WVVA – TV
PHOTOS: GEARUP SWV STEM Camp – The Register Herald – Newspaper
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia holds first-ever STEM Camp at WVU Tech – WVNS – TV
New River CTC and GEAR UP SWV host Adventure camp – The Register Herald – Newspaper
New River CTC and GEARUP SWV organize ‘Learning Beyond the Classroom’ event for Oceana Middle School students at The Greenbrier Resort – Lootpress – Digital/Web News
Program for southern West Virginia students is a first in the country – The Register Herald – Newspaper
New tutoring program to help southern West Virginia students – WVVA – TV
New Program for W.Va. students is a first in the country – Bluefield Daily Telegraph – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV helping out in Mercer County Schools – WVNS – TV
Mercer County GEAR UP program provides school supplies to high school freshmen – WVVA -TV
Zach Gowen to Highlight GEAR UP SWV Family Nights 2024 Hosted in Mercer and Wyoming Counties – The Register Herald – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV helping out in Mercer County Schools – WVNS – TV
Mercer County GEAR UP program provides school supplies to high school freshmen – WVVA -TV
GEAR UP SWV begins new College and Career Clubs initiative for student success – WVNS – TV
GEAR UP Launches College and Career Clubs – The Register Herald – Newspaper
September 19, 2024 – GEAR UP SWV Hosts Virtual Algebra 1 Think Tank on September 26th – Press/News Release
Algebra 1 Think Tank to hold event – The Register Herald – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV to host monthly Algebra 1 Think Tank events starting September 26– WOAY -TV
GEAR UP SWV is preparing students for their futures through National GEAR UP Week – WVNS – TV
Live interview with Keith Thompson about National GEAR UP Week – 99.5 WJLS – Radio
Student Success Agency provides services to students in southern West Virginia – The Register Herald– Newspaper
More than 500 students explore careers at New River CTC event – The Register~Herald– Newspaper
NRCTC Spooktacular Career Expo prepares Mercer County eighth-graders for future – WOAY – TV
GEAR UP SWV to host kick off events to celebrate program’s expansion starting November 18 – WOAY – TV
GEAR UP SWV sets events for Mercer, Summers, Wyoming counties – The Register Herald – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV Kicks Off Events for Class of 2029 in Mercer, Summers, and Wyoming Counties– Lootpress – Digital/Web News
Concord University & New River Career & Technical College help area students ‘GEAR UP’ – WVVA – TV
GEAR UP bringing scholarships to Beckley event – The Register Herald – Newspaper
GEAR UP SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA TO HOST AREA MIDDLE SCHOOLERS – WWNR Radio & Web
Classic Hits 106 WHFI-FM 106.7 Monroe County Technical Center – LIVE interview
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia to host middle schoolers at Raleigh County kick off event today – WOAY – TV
Over 3,500 middle school students attend GEAR UP Southern West Virginia kickoff event – WVNS -TV
Peterstown Students Learn from Experts at Empowerment Academy – Bluefield Daily Telegraph – Newspaper
Concord University Hosts Student Empowerment and GEAR UP Event – WVVA – TV
GEAR UP SWV offers on demand academic support at home – The Hinton News – Newspaper
New Online tutoring service offered through West Virginia GEAR UP program
GEAR UP SWV offers several summer opportunities for students – The Hinton News – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV readies for summer programs for area youth – WVVA – TV
GEAR UP SWV to offer several summer opportunities for students – WVVA – TV
GEAR UP SWV hosting summer camps – The Register Herald – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV offers several summer opportunities for students – The Hinton News – Newspaper
GEAR UP SWV Host Free Adventure Camp – WVNS – TV
GEAR UP program aims to prepare students for college – Bluefield Daily Telegraph – Newspaper
Educators hold meeting for GEAR UP SWV activities – WVVA News – TV
Concord University’s GEAR UP Southern West Virginia Program – WOAY – TV
GEAR UP Meeting at Concord University – WVNS – TV
Online Academic Resources Now Available For Southern W.Va. Students – WVPB – Radio
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia invites parents/guardians to meet the team during regional tour – WVVA – TV
GEAR UP SWV to hold “Meet Up” event for parents/guardians of students – WVVA – TV
GEAR UP SWV Works to Start Conversations about colleges, careers with middle school students – WVVA – TV
GEAR UP SWV offering Tutor.com services to middle school students in five counties – WOAY – TV
Online Academic Resources Now Available For Southern W.Va. Students – WVPB Radio
GEAR UP SWV offers tutoring resource to help students in southern West Virginia – WVNS – TV
West Virginia students can receive free tutoring online – WVVA – TV
8th grade students to receive mentors through GEAR UP SWV and SSA in three WV counties – WVVA News – TV
GEAR UP Southern West Virginia partners with Student Success Agency – WVNS -TV
Questions?
Reporter and deadline? Want to discuss possible stories? Looking for another Press Release? Want to share a recent news article?
Contact GEAR UP SWV Communications Manager, Jessica Doty (Lilly):