During the week of June 16th through June 21st, high school seniors from around the area participated in Black College Institute. BCI is a college preparatory experience that engages students with hands-on learning activities from all colleges on the campus of Virginia Tech. Natasha Saunders, Director of SOAR (Student Opportunity Achievement Resources), says the program helps students figure out what they want to do with their life while nurturing their passions. Saunders also says, BCI helps with retention when students realize where they want to pursue their academic career. Black College Institute has yielded 72% of black college applicants for the coming Fall 2019-2020 semester at Virginia Tech.