Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program

OUR MISSION

The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program enhances access to a baccalaureate higher education for Northern Virginia high school graduates who have the desire and capacity to achieve a baccalaureate degree, but whose likelihood of academic success and access to higher education would be significantly enhanced by receiving the special support and structural guidance provided by the Pathway Program. The program provides an environment for a smooth transition and increased retention of students from high school, through Northern Virginia Community College, to George Mason University or another university of the student’s choice.

OUR PARTNERSHIP

The Pathway to the Baccalaureate program was launched in Fall 2005 through a united effort and common goal to improve college access and success for students in Northern Virginia. The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program is a joint initiative of Arlington County Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools, Loudoun County Public Schools, Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation cosupports our Loudoun County operations. Program scholarships have graciously been provided through the generosity of the following donors: The Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA), The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, the JEB Stuart High School Educational Foundation, the Wachovia Foundation and Professor Richard Semmler.

WHAT WE DO

The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program provides support to students as they transition from participating high schools to NOVA, throughout NOVA, and as they transfer from NOVA to George Mason or another university. Our interventions include:

• One-on-one meetings with a Pathway Counselor to prepare for college transition     
• Regular workshops on college transition issues, including placement test preparation and financial aid
• Personalized assistance with applying for financial aid and scholarships
• Early placement testing and priority registration
• Learning community/cohort courses and student development programming at NOVA
• Grant and scholarship funding dedicated to program participants
• Participation in academic, social, athletic and cultural events at both NOVA and George Mason University
• Designated program counselors on campus to guide students through their college careers
• Assistance with each step of transferring to a four-year college or university 
• The chance to enroll in classes at Mason while completing a NOVA degree
• Opportunity, if qualified, to apply early for junior year admission to Mason

OUR SCHOOLS

The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program currently operates in 28 high schools and centers across Northern Virginia, including 12 sites in Fairfax County, 10 in Loudoun County and six in Arlington County. Pathway students currently attend all six campuses of NOVA, and the Fairfax campus of George Mason University.

EARLY OUTCOMES DATA (COHORTS ONE & TWO)

• 85% of students transitioned from high school directly into post-secondary education
• 12% of students transitioned directly from high school into a four-year institution
• 90.5% of students at NOVA were retained from the first to the second semester
• 81% of cohort one students at NOVA were retained from the first to the second year
• 72% of cohort one students were in good academic standing after the first semester
• 98% of cohort one students earned college credit in the first year
• First NOVA program graduate: December 2007; first cohort to graduate from NOVA in May 2008

OUR STUDENTS

Approximately 1,850 students are participating in the Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program in the 2007-2008 academic year. Ninety-three percent meet one or more U.S. Department of Education criteria known to adversely affect academic persistence in college.   

• High school GPA range: 1.56 to 4.0; median high school GPA: 2.72
• 76% of participating students are members of minority groups
• 69% of participating students are the first in their families to attend college
• 67% of participating students report an annual family income less than half the median family income in the Northern Virginia region
• 32% of participating students report having a documented disability
• Federal Financial Aid participation rate of 37% is more than double the NOVA average
• Student deferrals and “stop-out” students returning to enroll at high rates
• Students represent more than 50 countries and speak more than 25 languages
• 35% of students completed at least one college credit course while in high school
• 55% of students completed at least one Tech Prep/Vocational/Technical course while in high school.

FOR PROGRAM INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:                 

Kerin A. Hilker-Balkissoon, Program Director   
8333 Little River Turnpike, CG 202
Annandale, VA 22003   
Phone: 703.323.3063
Fax: 703.323.2341
E-mail: KHILKER@NVCC.EDU or FOUNDATION@NVCC.EDU         

POTENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP DONORS SHOULD CONTACT THE NOVA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION:

4001 Wakefield Chapel Road
Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: 703.323.3023
Fax: 703.323.3751