VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Racial disparities, wealth gaps and lack of support can cause some college students to lag behind their peers. These factors not only impact the way they learn but could force students to consider dropping out of school.
"It's frustrating, [because] I'm someone who believes that everyone, if they want an education, everyone should have the right to pursue an education," said Judah King, a junior and head of the Black Student Union at Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU).
Since 2015, VWU's president, Dr. Scott D. Miller, has led the university in tackling barriers that could drive inequity and exclusivity in education.
"A higher quality learning occurs when students are in classrooms, living in the residence halls, taking part in activities with people that are different from themselves," Miller told 13News Now.
The university launched the VWU First program to support first-generation students and their families in navigating the college experience. The school also revised its scholarship program to better serve students who are the first in their families to attend college or are from underserved and disenfranchised communities.
Miller said the university has also implemented efforts to expand diversity on campus. VWU reports more than a quarter of the current student body is African American, about a tenth is Hispanic and more than 40 percent come from underrepresented communities.
There are also programs on campus that can benefit students from low-income households. The Coastal Advantage program covers all but $2,500 of yearly tuition for qualifying commuter students with household incomes under $60,000. Those students then have the opportunity to pay off the remaining balance through the Work and Learn program or other financial aid options.
"[This] makes higher education — and a world-class, private education — available to them at a very affordable rate," Miller said.
Through the Tidewater Promise program, Tidewater Community College graduates can save credits, time, and money by entering VWU with junior-class status.
Miller believes these programs reflect VWU's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
"Having tremendously diverse communities within five miles of this campus, it's our role as the major private institution in Virginia Beach to take a leadership role in working with the community to further that diversity and discussion," Miller said.
The university also joined the Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance to work with other socially conscious schools.
"Being involved in those critical discussions in a peaceful way educates [students] and prepares them to be good citizens in life," Miller said.
VWU is partnering with the Virginia African American Cultural Center for the Unity in Knowledge Lecture Series. The next event in the series focuses on critical race theory and will be held Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Williams Farm Rec Center in Virginia Beach. You can learn more about other events in the series here.
King told 13News Now that he appreciates the steps VWU is taking to boost college access and inclusion for everyone.
"You always want to be in a space where you feel seen, where you don't feel, like, diminished, or anything like that. And Wesleyan's not that space," King said.
Miller is among several honorees at the 2024 United Negro College Fund Mayors' Masked Ball- Hampton Roads. The event will be held Saturday, March 2 at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Click here to purchase tickets.
You can also donate to the United Negro College Fund.
