West Virginia Press Association
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Michael Lowe dreamed of being a nurse and making a difference in his community while growing up in South Charleston, WV. Like others, he and his family had concerns about the cost of getting his nursing degree.
Today, through the UC Works program, Michael and eight other UC students are completing their first year of college without worrying about finances. Students are matched with a local employer for part-time, paid work while they complete their studies.
While Lowe always had a passion for helping others, his decision to become a nurse was solidified when his grandfather fell ill during his years at South Charleston High School.
“My passion for helping others has always been a driving force in my life, but my grandfather’s illness ignited my nursing journey,” Lowe explained. “Witnessing his struggles first-hand fueled my determination to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives during their toughest moments. I realized the transformative power of compassionate care and knew that nursing was my calling.” (See Michael’s story in his own words here.)
To help students like Lowe achieve their goals without amassing debt, the University of Charleston launched UC Works in February 2024 in collaboration with WorkForce WV and other business partners.
The program provides eligible West Virginia students with a combination of institutional, state, and federal aid programs to cover their UC undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees. It then matches those students with a local employer for part-time paid employment during their enrollment.
“UC Works is creating new opportunities for West Virginia students to earn a University of Charleston degree while gaining valuable real-world experience,” UC President Marty Roth said. “This program ensures that eligible students can complete their undergraduate education without taking on student loan debt. Plus, it connects them with local employers for part-time work and internships, giving them real-world experience and helping them build professional networks that will benefit them long after graduation. UC Works is a bold step toward making higher education more accessible, affordable, and career focused.”
A year in, the program is showing strong results. While the nine UC students currently participating in the scholarship program are pursuing a wide range of degrees, including biology, elementary education, digital media design, nursing, and others, they have one thing in common: even with their part-time work and carrying a full course load, they have also achieved exemplary grades. Their average GPA is 3.43.
“The UC Works program has allowed these exceptional students to pursue a degree when, for some, the cost of their education may have kept them from pursuing those dreams,” Beth Wolfe, UC Executive Vice President of Enrollment, said. “The program has shown that if you can eliminate some of the barriers to higher education, students will thrive.”
In addition to his studies and work experience through the program, Michael has also joined the UC men’s basketball team, balancing his passion for nursing with his love for the sport. Being part of the team has given him another way to stay connected and develop leadership skills.
“Through this program, I’ve gained the confidence and resources necessary to excel in my education while acquiring practical skills that will significantly advance my nursing career without the stress of a financial burden when I graduate,” Lowe said. “I could not be happier to be part of the Golden Eagle community.”
For more information, please contact C.J. Harvey, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, at [email protected] or 304-352-0014.
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The University of Charleston is an independent university located in the capital of West Virginia, with a second location in Beckley, WV. UC serves approximately 3,000 students from 49 states and 53 countries. The University has five distinct schools: The School of Arts and Sciences, the Bert Bradford School of Health Sciences (which includes the Physician Assistant Program), the School of Business, and the School of Leadership. The University’s mission is to educate each student for a life of productive work, enlightened living, and community involvement.
