The Pre-College Program at Western is one of 10 such programs located at colleges and universities throughout North Carolina and is designed to develop interests and achievements in science- and mathematics-based fields of higher education. The program’s classes and activities will include career-awareness programs, leadership development, academic advising, tutoring, academic competitions and hands-on laboratory experiences.

North Carolina pre-college programs have been highly successful in their 20-year history, with 97 percent of their high school graduates enrolling in colleges and universities; 80 percent majoring in mathematics, science or related fields; and 85 percent enrolling in North Carolina institutions of higher education, said Erin McManus, coordinator of Western’s Pre-College Program.

“The College of Education and Allied Professions is very excited to provide the Pre-College Program. We feel strongly that this program will benefit local students, and it represents the next step of our expanding work with the public school systems in the critical areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said McManus.

The program is currently recruiting sixth-grade students with grade point averages of 2.5 or higher from participating Western North Carolina middle schools and will expand over time to include sixth- through 12th-grade students.

For more information about program services, contact Erin McManus at (828) 227-2771 or at emcmanus@email.wcu.edu.