Partners for Rural Impact teams up with Union to support local high schoolers

Rachel Dorroh • October 3, 2024
Chris Williams stands in front of the Cowan Chapel stage holding a microphone and pointing out at the audience. The projector screen hanging from the ceiling reads Student Success Agency. Williams is wearing sunglasses and casual attire.


Over 100 local high school seniors visited Union Commonwealth University Tuesday as part of a college and career readiness grant program headed by Partners for Rural Impact (PRI). The focus of the day was a presentation in Cowan Chapel by Student Success Agency (SSA) representative Chris Williams.


“If life isn’t already feeling real, it's going to in the next six to seven months,” Williams said. “I want to make sure that y'all are prepared, and that you’ve got every resource available to you.”


Williams explained that SSA provides a range of services including tutoring, socio-emotional support, assistance finding scholarship opportunities and jobs, and personalized coaching to help students meet their goals.


“We’re here to provide you these services so you can have all you need, when you want it, how you want it, 24/7, 365,” Williams said. He showed students how to download the app for SSA’s digital platform on their phones and trained them on how to text their personal agent, schedule tutoring sessions, and more.


Using Rural Postsecondary Economic Development (RPED) grant funding, PRI purchased the service for participating high schools in their service region – Barbourville Independent, Middlesboro Independent, and Pineville Independent. PRI is a non-profit organization that oversees numerous grant projects dedicated to increasing access to high-quality programs and supports to improve outcomes for children and youth in rural America.


The RPED grant, awarded by the Biden-Harris administration in June, is focused on increasing postsecondary enrollment and success among rural students.

Washinton is standing in front of the podium, American flag, and flower arrangement in Cowan Chapel holding a microphone and wearing a suit jacket.

“Rural communities face unique challenges in educating, training, and developing high-skill workers—yet they are also home to students with unique skills and potential,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “These dedicated funds will ensure that students in rural areas have access to postsecondary credentials and other resources that lead to high-quality career pathways and economic success.”


“Our schools told us they wanted coaching and mentoring for their students, and we found that purchasing the SSA program was the most effective way for us to do that,” PRI’s Program Director of the RPED grant Jason Reeves said. 


Students will have access to the SSA platform and services until August of 2025, at no charge to them.


[PHOTO: Washington addresses the audience]


Union’s Interim President Dr. DJ Washington made time to welcome the students while they were on campus. He shared his backstory as a first-generation college student from a rural high school who found success at Union. Washington stressed the value of hard work, networking, and taking advantage of opportunities as they arise. He also pointed out where his office is on campus and invited the students to stop by and see him if they come back for another visit. 

“I always try to take time to meet new families. If I happen to be out of town, leave your cell number with admissions, and I’ll shoot you a text,” Washington said. “We’re family here, and we take that personal approach really seriously. We really do care about you, and we really care about your success.”


Vice President of Undergraduate Recruitment James Becknell and PRI’s RPED grant Project Coordinator Diana Mills also shared brief remarks with the students. Like Washington, Becknell, Mills, and Reeves are Union alumni.


The students’ visit concluded with a tour of campus and lunch provided by Union. While this is PRI’s fourth year administering the RPED grant, this is the first year they have held the SSA training on Union’s campus. As their program has grown to include more schools, they sought out Union for a central meeting place and appreciated being able to include a campus visit and promote opportunities available at a local university.


“Everyone at Union – President Washington, admissions staff, and others – have made every effort to support this visit,” Mills said.

 

“We really appreciate Union’s support and hospitality,” Reeves added.


For more information about the Student Success Agency, see studentsuccess.co. For more information about Partners for Rural Education, see partnersrural.org or contact Diana Mills at diana.mills@partnersrural.org.

Local high school seniors tour Union's campus

UCU Announces Next Round of “50 Under 50” Honorees

By Maisie Nelson • June 25, 2025
Union Commonwealth University proudly announces the next ten distinguished alumni honored as part of the university’s ongoing “50 Under 50” recognition program. The initiative celebrates alumni under the age of 50 who are driving change and making a difference in their professions and communities.
Bill and Merrill Davies with the Union Mascot, Mack the Bulldog.

Bill & Merrill Davies — A Union of Service & Learning

By David Saylor • June 24, 2025
William “Bill” Davies ’66 and Merrill Johnson Davies ’64 were brought together by their education at Union College and their Baptist faith in 1962. Since then, they have built a lasting legacy of service, learning, and community impact — one that has spanned more than 56 years of marriage.

UCU Celebrates Barbourville High School Seniors with Over $88,000 in Scholarships

By Maisie Nelson • June 13, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to recognize the achievements of seniors from Barbourville High School who have committed to continue their academic and athletic pursuits at Union. Together, these students have been awarded more than $88,000 in scholarships as part of the university’s commitment to supporting local talent and making higher education more accessible.
Lynn and Amanda with Union's mascot, Mack the Bulldog, all wearing caps and gowns on Union's campus.

Lynn Smith & Amanda Hensely — Like Mother, Like Daughter

By Rachel Dorroh • June 5, 2025
This past fall, Lynn Smith was appointed as Executive Vice President of Union Commonwealth University. She draws on her nearly 25 years of service and three Union degrees to oversee operations including business & finance, information technology, and human resources, among other responsibilities.

Summer Brings Improvements and Guests to Union’s Campus

By Maisie Nelson • June 4, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to share several exciting updates as work gets underway on key campus improvement projects this summer. These initiatives, made possible through successful fundraising efforts, reflect Union’s commitment to creating a welcoming, well-maintained environment for students, visitors, and the broader community.

Eight Bell County Seniors Commit to UCU, Over $190,000 Awarded in Scholarships

By Maisie Nelson • June 4, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of seniors from Bell County High School who have committed to continue their academic journeys at Union. Together, these students have been awarded over $190,000 in scholarships, recognizing both academic excellence and athletic talent.

Union Offers Free Swim Days for Local Youth This June

By Maisie Nelson • June 2, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is inviting school-aged children to enjoy free swim days every Saturday in June, beginning June 7 at the Center for Health & Learning’s Stivers Aquatic Center. These open swim opportunities are a way to give back to the community and celebrate the start of summer with local families.
Miller standing beside the sign for Conway Boatman Chapel.

The Rev. David Miller retires after 21 years of ministry at UCU

By Rachel Dorroh • May 30, 2025
After 21 years as the chaplain of Union Commonwealth University (UCU), the Rev. David Miller is retiring this month. Since his first ministerial appointment in 1984, he has served as the pastor of several Kentucky congregations, has taken on leadership roles in multiple Kentucky organizations, and has led countless campus programs and groups dedicated to student development. He says supporting students to find their personal calling, however, has been the highlight of his career.

Union Celebrates Another Ten Honorees in its “50 Under 50” Recognition Program

By Maisie Nelson • May 27, 2025
Union Commonwealth University proudly announces the next ten distinguished alumni honored as part of the university’s inaugural “50 Under 50” recognition program. Celebrating alumni who are making an impact before the age of 50, the program continues to highlight exceptional leaders across diverse industries — from public service and business innovation to healthcare, marketing, education, and law.
Leadership Tri-County class of 2025 with Andra Butler and Tori Doyle standing at the far right end.

The essence of leadership at UCU

By David Saylor • May 22, 2025
Leadership is about more than a title, it's a commitment to personal growth, professional excellence, and something greater than yourself. For many, this may mean embracing new challenges or simply striving to make a meaningful impact. At Union Commonwealth University, however, leadership also means investing in the potential of others by creating opportunities for growth, mentorship, and collaboration at every level.
More Posts