Project Leadership: Joseph Williams, Zakiah Pierre, Lucy Montalvo
Overview: The Starr Hill Pathways Program (SHP) is a program that will provide the social, technical, and research infrastructure to redress educational inequities that persist in the Charlottesville-Albemarle region. Starting with 7th grader, SHP will create a system of support for local youth from historically marginalized communities, while building a pathway for admission to the University of Virginia or the college and career that best meets their needs. This partnership between UVA, Albemarle County and Charlottesville City public schools, and numerous community-based organizations will improve student outcomes and mitigate opportunity gaps ensuring that local youth are academically prepared for post-secondary education, are thriving socially and emotionally, and have access to a wide variety of enrichment opportunities and support networks. SHP will refine a model for university-community collaborations that benefit students nationwide.
Highlights: 2021's Burley Middle School Summer Program piloted the university / community partnership model to support college and career readiness in middle school students. In the summer of 2022, the program was launched fully with 85 students participating in a 3-week intensive summer program on UVA grounds.
Read more about SHP on its website