May 8, 2026
Shawnee State University and Portsmouth High School celebrated a landmark milestone on May 8, 2026, honoring the first class of the Portsmouth Promise, a college-readiness initiative that awarded 22 local students with scholarships to attend Shawnee State University.
The Portsmouth Promise was launched in 2025 through a partnership between Shawnee State University and Portsmouth High School to increase college access and preparation among local students. The program addresses key barriers to higher education through structured advising, college-readiness workshops, campus engagement, and financial support.
During the ceremony, students were recognized with two levels of scholarship support: 14 full-tuition scholarships and 8 annual scholarships valued at $2,000 per year.
"We talk a lot about access and opportunity here, and this program is exactly what that means,” said SSU President Eric Andrew Braun. “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.
Throughout the program, students participated in workshops focused on application writing, FAFSA completion, financial literacy, career exploration, and academic preparation. They also received individualized advising through monthly check-ins with Shawnee State advisors to support goal setting and progress monitoring.
“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 and champion the Portsmouth Promise program. “Through workshops, advising, and skill-building opportunities, students gain confidence, develop leadership skills, and build strong connections that support their long-term success.”
Additional program experiences included campus tours, shadow days, faculty sessions, and family outreach opportunities designed to familiarize students and their families with the college admissions and financial aid process.
As students prepare to begin classes at Shawnee State this fall, the university will continue providing support beyond the admissions process to help students persist through graduation. The continued support was intentionally built into the program to help students successfully navigate the transition to college and remain connected throughout their academic journey.
“We didn’t want students to feel supported only up to the point of enrollment and then be left on their own,” said SSU Director of Admission 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 Portsmouth Promise program demonstrates the continuing partnership between Shawnee State University and Portsmouth High School to expand access to higher education and strengthen student success. Following the success of the inaugural cohort, university and school leaders are exploring opportunities to continue and grow the program to serve future classes of Portsmouth students.