Come join the Virginia Western Great Expectations Program!
Every student deserves a bright future. In Virginia, thousands of students who have experienced foster care have found success through a Great Expectations program at one of Virginia’s Community Colleges.
By working one-on-one with a Great Expectations Student Success Coach at Virginia Western, you too can achieve your goals of completing your degree or certificate program. Great Expectations students complete college at three times the national average for foster youth.
What is Great Expectations?
Great Expectations is a program offered at all schools in the Virginia Community College System to help current or former foster youth successfully complete a degree or certificate program. The program aims to provide resources, information and coaching to ensure each student meets their educational goals.
Who is eligible?
Any Virginia Western student who is currently in foster care or who has experienced foster care after the age of 13, as well as those who were adopted from foster care as part of a special needs adoption, are eligible for these supports.
What type of services are provided?
Prior to enrollment:
The Great Expectations Student Success Coach understands the importance of planning for the transition to adulthood and can help eligible individuals:
- Consider their career options and what Virginia Western has to offer
- Navigate the financial aid application (FAFSA) to identify available funding sources
- Work through the application process for Virginia Western
- Explore skills, values and interests, and match them to available opportunities
Once enrolled:
Student success will be the Great Expectations Student Success Coach’s goal by helping eligible individuals:
- Overcome barriers to higher education success through mentoring
- Access individualized tutoring for academic success
- Connect with mental health resources for emotional support
- Engage with other students through clubs and recreational opportunities
- Search for, apply and keep a job
- Learn budgeting and personal finance skills
- Apply for scholarships and/or emergency funds through the Virginia Western Educational Foundation
- Navigate the transfer process to a four-year college
Interested in more information about the program?
Contact our coach:
JW Taylor
Great Expectations Student Success Coach
Student Life Center, Room S207
jwtaylor@virginiawestern.edu
540-857-6288
Contact Us
enroll@virginiawestern.edu
Chapman Hall C108
855-874-6690
Fax: 540-857-6163
Hours
Mon – Thu: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
VWCC Alerts
We use the VW Mass Notification System to immediately contact you during a major crisis or emergency. Get more info and register!