Students and Families
GEAR UP SWV supports students and families in Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming Counties with resources like tutoring, mentoring, campus visits, and summer camps to prepare for college and careers. Families can also join Family Advisory Councils to stay involved.
For help or to get involved, contact your Local Coordinator or Family Engagement Coordinator, Catrice Robinson.
Where is GEAR UP SWV located?
GEAR UP SWV is based at Concord University and partners with New River Community and Technical College to serve students in Southern West Virginia across the following counties and high schools:
Free Resources for Students and Families:
Free Tutoring 24/7 with the Princeton Reviews Tutor.com
What can Tutor.com help with?
- One-on-one help in 200+ subjects (math, science, English & more)
- Essay Review for writing feedback before you hit submit
- Practice for ACT/SAT and other tests
- Parent tools and support to help your student thrive
Here's how to login:
Whether it’s 4 p.m. or midnight—tutors are standing by when you need them.
- Visit Tutor.com/GEARUPSWV login
- Enter New Username = Student Email Address (example: [email protected])
- New Password = GEARupSWV28 (for the class of 2028) OR GEARupSWV29 (for the class of 2029)
Find a variety of helpful how-to videos on the Tutor.com YouTube page.
Personal Mentor
We know parents are juggling a lot—and we also know how much you care about your child’s future. That’s why GEAR UP SWV is proud to provide free, around-the-clock mentoring and support through Student Success Agency (SSA) for students in Mercer, Summers, and Wyoming Counties.
This resource includes:
- 24/7 access to a personal success agent
- College and career guidance
- Help to stay organized and on track
- Motivation and accountability support
- Answers to questions about life after high school
- Encouragement and check-ins outside of the classroom
Think of it like this: If LeBron James has an agent to guide his career, why shouldn’t your student have one too?
SSA agents are trusted adults working in over 500 schools across 20 states—and now they’re here for your family. It’s safe, proven, and designed to support students outside the classroom in the ways that matter most. Students can connect with their agent after downloading the Winbox.
Need help getting started?
If you want to learn more about Tutor.com or a personal mentor, contact your GEAR UP SWV Local Coordinator or reach out to Ashlei Collins.
Career Exploration
GEAR UP SWV is here to help students—and their families—connect the dots between what they love and what they want to do in the future. Through hands-on experiences, coaching, and events, students have opportunities to explore career paths, develop skills, and imagine what’s possible after high school.
- Career-focused summer camps, like the Power of Youth Camp
- Workplace visits
- Internships and real-world experiences, including the SSA Summer Boss Program (for Summers, Wyoming and Mercer Counties)
- One-on-one coaching through programs like Student Success Agency (for Summers, Wyoming and Mercer Counties)
- Career fairs and in-school guest speakers
- College and career readiness lessons with Career & College Clubs
- Parent-student workshops on career and post-secondary planning
- Creative career exposure, like the Jenn and Tracy Show
Find out what job in WV could be a good fit with the College for West Virginia’s Career Assessment.
GEAR UP SWV Family Advisory Council
GEAR UP SWV’s Family Advisory Councils (FAC) is here to help promote resources and support events for our students and their families. The councils aim to: Connect with parents and build engagement by sharing GEAR UP services, like Tutor.com and the Student Success Agency. Share information with families on the goals of GEAR UP SWV to foster student success. Assist with planning and promoting events, including parent and student college tours coming in March.
- Connect with parents and build engagement by sharing GEAR UP services, like Tutor.com and the Student Success Agency.
- Educate families on the goals of GEAR UP SWV to foster student success.
- Assist with planning and promoting events, including parent and student college tours coming in March.
By working with the Family Advisory Councils, we can strengthen outreach, increase parent involvement, and ultimately, support our students’ pathways to college and career readiness.
To learn more, contact GEAR UP SWV Family Engagement Coordinator, Catrice Robinson.
Summers Camps
GEAR UP SWV offers free summer camps for students to help them stay engaged, inspired, and on track for success. These camps give students hands-on opportunities to explore careers, build leadership skills, and gain real-world experience—all while having fun. By providing these no-cost camps, GEAR UP SWV helps prevent the “summer slide” and ensures that all students, no matter their background, can keep learning and growing over the summer.
Summer Camp Grants
The Summer Camp Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible students who want to attend educational summer camps—even those not directly organized by GEAR UP SWV. The goal is to remove financial barriers and give students access to meaningful, enriching experiences that support academic and personal growth. To qualify, students must meet specific criteria, such as submitting a teacher or mentor recommendation, demonstrating clear educational goals, and showing a genuine interest in learning. Grants are awarded based on qualifications and available funding.
[anchor to summer activities page on the summer camp grant section]
Questions?
To learn more, reach out to Kristen Williams, IHE Local Coordinator.
Campus Visits
Thinking about life after high school can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to figure it out alone. GEAR UP SWV invites students and their parents on guided campus visits to explore what’s possible after high school. Students, and sometimes even families, tour real college campuses, meet people who can answer your questions, and get a clearer picture of what the future could look like for your child. We’re here to walk beside you, every step of the way.
Ask your GEAR UP SWV Local Coordinator how to join an upcoming visit!