NEWPORT NEWS, Va (WAVY) — Christopher Newport University will grant early admission for as many as 75 highly qualified sophomores at Newport News high schools per year in a newly-announced partnership.
The program, which is called Community Captains, was announced Wednesday in a ceremony at a Warwick High School.
It gives students — or Community Captains — the ability to attend on-campus learning opportunities at CNU. The qualifying students will also be paired with current CNU students, who will act as mentors.
High school seniors in the program will have the option of taking a statistics class for free where they can earn college credit.
University officials say financial aid, work-study and other programs will “substantially reduce the cost of attendance” for those who who qualify.
Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) Superintendent Dr. George Parker III said in statement, “This program offers myriad advantages to our students, including ongoing mentorship by CNU volunteers, additional college and career advisement, and the ability to experience a class at CNU as a high school senior.”
CNU’s President Paul Trible stated that CNU is “committed to doing everything in our power to help these students learn and grow while we deepen the bond between our university and the city that we call home.”
The program is open to Newport News Public School sophomores that are first-generation college students, or that qualify for free or reduced lunch. To be eligible, students must have a high school GPA of 3.4 or a PSAT score of at least 1150.
To assist in the funding of the program, CNU is also launching a “Create a Community Captain” fundraiser. The university is asking for donations from local residents, alumni and regional businesses and organizations.
The program is a partnership between Newport News Public Schools and CNU.
Four CNU Board of Visitors members will serve as ambassadors for the program: Rector Robert (Bobby) Hatten, Vice Rector Brad Hunter, Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan and Huntington Ingalls Industries Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Kellye Walker.
The first Community Captains will be selected next spring. If they maintain their GPA, these students will then enroll in 2021 and will be expected to graduate by 2025.
“We are eager to welcome these well-qualified Community Captains to Christopher Newport University,” Trible said.
