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School of Medicine
This fall marks the fifteenth anniversary of the Health Science and Technology Academy or HSTA. HSTA was born at WVU in 1994 and has spread to a state wide program to help students attend and succeed in college. This year 184 students completed the HSTA program and 56 are now freshmen at WVU. HSTA’s mission is increase the number of under represented students in West Virginia that attend college, study science and healthcare, and to increase the number of health care providers in the rural communities of West Virginia. HSTA is a community based program in 26 WV counties that follows students through high school providing math and science clubs and events. Students are required to present at a yearly science symposium, and in addition to their club activities provide local community service. Students also attend at least two educational summer camps provided for by HSTA. These are held at college campuses across the state and introduce students to college life and a broader math and science knowledge. WVU hosted two of the summer camps this year, Biomedical camp, in which students learned about diabetes and how it effects the various systems of the body and the HSTA senior component. Students attend HSTA’s senior camp for three weeks and during that time they can earn 3 college credits in either Math or English.
If students complete their HSTA requirements they earn a tuition waiver to any West Virginia state funded college. They can use their waiver not only for their undergraduate degree, but for graduate and medical professional school as well. Currently there are ten HSTA graduates in the school of medicine and many more in a pre-med major. There are four criteria for students wanting to enter the HSTA program: African American, income, rural status, and first in family to attend college. If you know anyone with children in the 8th grade who would be interested in joining HSTA, please call Kas Kasten at the HSTA office 304-293-0769 or 1-800-345-4267. |
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