Dr. Barbara Priddy Guyer is the Director Emeritus of the H.E.L.P. Program. She received her B.S. degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Education, a Masters degree from Ohio State University in School Administration, a Masters degree in School Psychology from the College of Graduate Studies of Marshall University, and a doctorate in Learning Disabilities/Educational Administration from the University of Virginia.

Dr. Guyer taught grades 2-6, remedial reading in a women’s prison and was a principal of several schools including two Learning Disabilities Centers in Richmond, Virginia, which she organized. She began the H.E.L.P. Center in 1981 after she tested a particularly bright young man who had failed in college four times. H.E.L.P. has grown from 3 students with 2 employees to 200 students with 10 full-time employees and 50 part-time employees.

The greatest joy of her life has been working with college students and seeing them succeed. “The joy that one sees in their eyes or the excitement in their voices is a reward like none other. When H.E.L.P. students begin to believe in themselves and see that there is hope for the future, life begins to take on new meaning.”

Dr, Guyer retired as Director of H.E.L.P. as of August 1st, 2005 but will continue to be an integral part of the program. She will continue to work with Medical H.E.L.P., continue to work in fundraising, and to represent H.E.L.P. at conferences.

She is married to Ken Guyer and they have two daughters. Both have a Learning Disability and one has ADHD. Her daughters have proven that academic success is possible. One is a physician and the other is an attorney.