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 Students to Explore Career Pathways at Concord Cool Academy: Tracks to the Future
For Immediate Release (Planning Purposes)
Athens, W.Va. – GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (GEAR UP SWV) students will participate in Concord Cool Academy: Tracks to the Future, a four-day overnight summer camp designed to help students explore career interests, develop college readiness skills, and experience campus life at Concord University.
After selecting a possible career path, students will interact with professors to see firsthand what the path to get there will look like at Concord University. In addition to track-specific learning experiences led by Concord University faculty and staff, students will participate in activities focused on social media and branding, college readiness, leadership, and personal growth.
GEAR UP SWV summer camps offer more than just fun—they help students build confidence, discover new interests, explore career pathways, and take meaningful steps toward college and life after high school. The media is invited to coordinate a time to attend.
WHEN: June 16–19, 2026
WHERE: Concord University, Athens, West Virginia
WHO: GEAR UP SWV students from participating counties throughout Southern West Virginia
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
- Students participating in hands-on career exploration activities
- Interviews with students, camp staff, and GEAR UP SWV organizers
- Footage and photographs of students experiencing campus life and engaging in educational activities
Media is asked to please get in touch with Jenn Frame, Partnership Coordinator and Interim IHE Coordinator at [email protected] or call (304) 384-6229 before arriving.
About GEAR UP SWV: GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (GEAR UP SWV) prepares students for success and careers after high school by providing tools, support, and real-world experiences. Serving the classes of 2028 and 2029 in Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming counties’ public schools, GEAR UP SWV also works with teachers, administrators, and families to strengthen the entire educational community.
GEAR UP SWV is a $20.3 million, 50% cost-share program led by Concord University in partnership with New River Community and Technical College. This program is part of the national Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
The contents of this publication were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed.
Learn more at GEARUPSWV.org or by following GEAR UP SWV on social media.
GEAR UP SWV; securing a legacy of strength and resilience in Appalachia.
Media Contact
Communications Manager
Jessica Lilly (Doty)
GEAR UP SWV to Host “MCSTEAM Into Your Future” Event for Mercer County Students
GEAR UP SWV & New River CTC Bring Virtual Reality Career Exploration to Local High Schools
Through a program with New River Community and Technical College, students can experience possible paths to take after graduating from high school through Virtual Reality (VR) simulations.
Students to Present 60 Projects at ‘Bookapalooza’
Mercer County students will showcase 60 peer-created projects at Bookapalooza, a hands‑on learning event at Concord University. The media is invited to attend.