MAKING A PROMISE TO OUR NEIGHBORS GUNNISON VALLEY PROMISE ENDOWMENT The Gunnison Valley is rich in many things. Among them are stunning mountainous views, a harmonious spirit of community, and abundant talent from the more than 160 students who graduate from the Valley’s high schools each year. Unfortunately, the talent and ambition of these students – many who come from working-class families – see shortened paths toward success, viewing their high school graduation as a final destination due to the high cost of college tuition. In Gunnison, we have the unique characteristic of having one of the highest costs of living in the United States paired with the lowest median income. In addition, the percentage of students in elementary and secondary school
“ The Gunnison Valley Promise goes far beyond rewarding our local students; it is truly a community-building vision that strengthens the valley by enabling our own kids to become leaders and creators of our collective future.”
who rely on free and reduced lunch has increased by 43 percent in just the last fifteen years. Approximately half of the students in Gunnison Valley are eligible for federal aid such as Pell Grants, which are intended to provide a boost to learners from low-income families. Western wants to support students in the Gunnison Valley as they pursue their dream of a university education. Therefore, through ELEVATE WESTERN we seek to endow the GUNNISON VALLEY PROMISE ENDOWMENT and provide students from Gunnison and Crested Butte community schools who qualify for admission with access to a Western degree, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
Leslie Nichols, EdD Superintendent Gunnison Watershed School District