PORTSMOUTH — More than 20 Portsmouth High School seniors are heading to college this fall with financial help from Shawnee State University thanks to a new program designed to help local students prepare for college and actually make it there.
University officials and students gathered Thursday to celebrate the first graduating class of the Portsmouth Promise program — a partnership between Portsmouth High School and Shawnee State that awarded scholarships to 22 local students.
Of those students, 14 received full-tuition scholarships to Shawnee State, while another 8 received scholarships worth $2,000 per year.
School leaders say the program is about more than just money. It was created to help Portsmouth students overcome barriers that often prevent students from attending college in the first place.
“We talk a lot about access and opportunity here, and this program is exactly what that means,” said Eric Andrew Braun, president of Shawnee State University. “We want to make sure students have a pathway to succeed, and that we provide all the tools beyond just the scholarship to help them achieve their goals.”
The Portsmouth Promise program launched in 2025 and focused on preparing students for college through workshops, advising, campus visits, and one-on-one support.
Students received help with:
- FAFSA and financial aid forms
- College applications and essays
- Financial literacy
- Career exploration
- Academic preparation
- Goal setting and advising
Participants also toured campus, attended faculty sessions, participated in shadow days, and involved their families in the process so parents better understood admissions and financial aid.
Program organizers say the goal was to make college feel less intimidating and more achievable for local students.
“Beyond financial support, Portsmouth Promise provides students with guidance, mentorship, and hands-on experiences that help prepare them for success in college and their future careers,” said Drew Carter, who helped launch the initiative.
Officials also stressed that support for students will continue after they move onto campus this fall.
“We didn’t want students to feel supported only up to the point of enrollment and then be left on their own,” said Rikki Butler. “We wanted to make sure they had a full set of tools and people behind them once they arrived at Shawnee State so they can succeed all the way through graduation.”
The success of the first Portsmouth Promise class is especially significant when compared to national education statistics.
According to census data, only about 17.4% of Portsmouth residents age 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Nationally, that number is closer to 39%.
Local leaders hope programs like Portsmouth Promise can help close that gap by making college more accessible for Portsmouth students who may have never considered higher education possible.
Back in January, Portsmouth City Schools encouraged seniors to apply for the new program and work with guidance staff to participate.
Following the success of the first class, Shawnee State and Portsmouth schools say they are already looking at ways to expand the program for future students.