A total of 22 incoming freshmen cut their summer break short on Sunday (June 22) by moving to campus to participate in the Academic STARS (Students Achieving and Reaching Success) program at West Virginia University.

Designed to help African-American students build a solid academic foundation, the five-week program is sponsored through the Center for Black Culture and Research.

“Since the inception of Academic STARS, we have worked to expand and improve the program to make sure our African American students thrive, excel and ultimately graduate from WVU,” said Marjorie Fuller, director of WVU Center for Black Culture and Research. “We kicked off our sixth year of the program on Sunday with an opening ceremony at the Erickson Alumni Center. We are excited to host this new group of students and have many fun and exciting activities planned for them this summer.”

Since 2009, the program has helped acclimate incoming African-American freshmen students to college life through a one-credit course, workshops and a variety of social and cultural activities. New this year is an overnight camping and hiking trip sponsored through the Adventure WV program.

Students will also travel to Cincinnati to visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Kings Island amusement park.

Students can apply for the program each year by visiting the Center for Black Culture and Research website http://cbc.wvu.edu. Interested students take part in a phone interview before the group of STARS is chosen. Students must have a 2.75 GPA in high school to apply.

The program is fully funded through the Center for Black Culture and Research within the Division of Student Affairs. For more information on STARS and other programs at the Center visit http://cbc.wvu.edu/.

-WVU-

ta/06/23/14

CONTACT: Marjorie Fuller, Center for Black Culture & Research
304-293-7029; Marjorie.Fuller@mail.wvu.edu

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