Now it’s your turn.
p. Women across West Virginia, more often than not, don’t finish college, as increasing demands of motherhood and work ultimately win out over the pursuit of a degree.
West Virginia, in fact, is last in the nation among population percentages of women with four or more years of college. That’s according to numbers culled two years ago by the national Institute for Women’s Policy Research in itsStatus of Women in West Virginiareport, and those are numbers West Virginia University wants to turn around.
A trip to Morgantown Mall on Saturday (April 8) just might be the first step.
The fifth annualMom’s Turn to Learnday will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday near the mall food court by the WVU Council for Women’s Concerns and the President’s Office for Social Justice.
There, women will have the chance to meet with WVU financial and academic advisors while learning about the University’s full range of degree offerings, including its Regents Bachelor of Arts Program for students returning to school later in life.
They’ll hear from other women who have done just thatand they’ll talk with other representatives from theWest Virginia Women Workorganization, Fairmont State University, West Virginia Wesleyan College and Salem International University.
Information on financial assistance and award opportunities from the Soropotimist International and Philanthropic Educational Opportunities organization will also be offered up for the day.
Event organizer Martha Thorn calls it theInformation-equals-Empowermentformula.
I think you make all the difference in the world by just being there to answer questions,said Thorn, a retired WVU coach and businesswoman.We’ll be talking about financial aid and scholarships and child development and family support services once we get you in the classroom.Take control and enroll,’is our catch-phrase. We’re here to help.
For more information, visitwww.as.wvu.edu/cwc. The e-mail address is cwc@mail.wvu.edu . TheStatus of Women in West Virginiareport may be seen online at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research Web site:www.iwpr.org.