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A new, pioneering program will grant early admission to Christopher Newport University to as many as 75 highly qualified Newport News high school sophomores per year.
At a Warwick High School ceremony attended by students, teachers, counselors and legislators, Christopher Newport University President Paul Trible and Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) Superintendent Dr. George Parker III signed the Memorandum of Understanding that will guide the Community Captains program.
“We are extremely pleased that more students from our schools will have the opportunity to attend Christopher Newport University, a nationally ranked institution that we are fortunate to have in our community,” Parker says. “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.“
“We are eager to welcome these well-qualified Community Captains to Christopher Newport University,” Trible says. “We are 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 10th graders if they will be a first-generation college student or if they qualify for free or reduced lunch. Eligible students must have a high school GPA of 3.4 or a PSAT score of at least 1150.
During their years in the program, the Community Captains will have on-campus learning opportunities, they will be paired with Christopher Newport students who will act as mentors, and receive guidance and support through all aspects of preparing for college. As high school seniors, they will have the option of taking a free Christopher Newport statistics class and earn college credit. If they maintain their 3.4 GPA and fulfill all program requirements, they will be offered final acceptance to the University.
As with all Newport News students, they will be permitted to live off campus. Financial aid, work-study and other programs will substantially reduce the cost of attendance for those who qualify.
The University is also launching the Create a Community Captain fundraising initiative. Local residents, CNU alumni, regional businesses and organizations are especially invited to contribute to a fund with a goal of offsetting the remaining cost of tuition and fees for these students.
The first class of Community Captains, all 10th graders, will be selected in spring 2019. They will be Christopher Newport freshmen in 2021 and graduate in 2025. About 25 NNPS students already enroll at Christopher Newport every year and have a strong record of success, both in college and beyond.
Four members of Christopher Newport’s Board of Visitors will serve as ambassadors for the program: Rector Robert (Bobby) Hatten, Managing Partner of Patten, Wornom, Hatten and Diamonstein; Vice Rector Brad Hunter, Vice President, Commercial Lending at TowneBank; Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan; and Huntington Ingalls Industries Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Kellye Walker.