Student Advisory Board

WHRO’s Student Advisory Board (SAB) is made up of high school students from our local owner-member school divisions. These students help us better meet the needs of the audience using our online content. WHRO values the SAB's perspectives and voice. Watch this video to hear how the students feel about being part of the SAB:

For more information about WHRO's SAB, contact Dr. Suzanne Freeman at suzanne.freeman@whro.org

Apply to the Student Advisory Board

Would you like to be recognized as an expert? Would you enjoy connecting with other students to make a positive impact on your community? If so, becoming a member of WHRO Education's Student Advisory Board (SAB) may be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.

WHRO’s SAB is made up of high schoolers in grades 9–12 who share what it’s really like to learn online and give feedback on our courses. They get the chance to create original content that’s featured in WHRO’s online courses and in Virginia’s statewide digital learning library, eMediaVA. It’s a space where students help shape digital content for their peers.

The SAB meets in person in Norfolk, VA. Our first meeting is scheduled for October 17, 2026, at WHRO from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The other meeting dates are:

January 23, 2027
February 27, 2027
April 24, 2027

We are looking for more high school students who:

are enrolled in an HRETA owner-member school division; (https://education.whro.org/hreta-member-school-divisions);
have taken or are currently taking an online course (an online course refers to students being physically distanced from their teacher but learning online using a device, the Internet, web conferencing, and a variety of software programs);
exhibit commitment to education and positive communication skills;
can collaborate with peers in person and online;
have transportation to get to in-person meetings and activities;
can commit to three meetings between October 1026 and April 2027; and
can provide constructive feedback about WHRO online content.

Selected SAB members will receive an honorarium following each meeting, consisting of $25 gift cards. Additionally, students can receive volunteer hours toward graduation.

The work of the SAB has enabled WHRO to better meet the needs of our online content audience. WHRO values the SAB's perspectives and voice.

If you are interested in applying to be a member of the SAB, complete the online application. Applications will be accepted until September 19, 2025.

2025-2026 Meeting Highlights

Use the arrows to explore images from the 2025-2026 SAB meetings. Students participated in an array of activities to support WHRO. For example, they recorded student-hosted podcasts that are now enhancing peer learning in WHRO Education’s Algebra 1 online course. They also wrote scripts for and recorded Public Service Announcements to help the Virginia Department of Education and WHRO spread information to students across the Commonwealth about staying safe on the Internet. Then, the SAB explored an immersive Environmental dome that will be part of WHRO’s Middle School Van Program. Finally, the group helped steer design ideas for WHRO’s upcoming US Government online course.