'Education is key:' Meridian High School honors GEARUP students

GEAR UP Mississippi recently celebrated GEAR UP with drive through celebrations at their local schools. As they kick off their grant in schools across the state, educators are sharing the importance of having programs like GEAR UP in their schools. Tiffanie Roberts, college and career counselor/graduation coach said, “If we want to improve Meridian by bringing in new business and industries, bringing in better-paying jobs,…

UTC College Prep Program Completes First Virtual Week        

GEAR UP at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga was recently featured for their experience of moving in-person GEAR UP services online as a result of the on-going pandemic. GEAR UP Director, Dr. Hunter Huckabay had this to say, “Naturally, we would prefer to be in an in-person environment…but given all of that I’m happy with what we’ve been able to accomplish.” Despite the challenge of delivering services online, GEAR UP…

LPSS GEAR UP encourages students to complete FAFSA form ASAP

Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) GEAR UP is spreading the word that filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is easier than ever before. This article features a list of benefits of completing the FAFSA and a list of updates to the process to make completing the FAFSA easier than ever before. “The list of documents required is not long, and the Department of Education offers a mobile-friendly version of …

Gear Up Topeka helps Highland Park seniors with college access, support

KU GEAR UP Topeka recently hosted an in-person FAFSA Help Day that was outdoors and adhered to COVID-19 safety measures. On October 10 in a tent outside Highland Park High School, the graduating class of 2021 received one-on-one support creating an FSA ID and filing the FAFSA. Last year's graduates, who are attending college in the area, also stopped by to receive help filing the FAFSA for their second year of college.…

UI ready to guide GEAR UP Iowa students through first year of college

GEAR UP students at the University of Iowa participated in a summer bridge program online earlier this summer. There were able to participate in a variety of lessons and even a mock lecture where they were able to practice note-taking in a college class. Angela Lamb, assistant director of academic support and retention at the University of Iowa said, “GEAR UP has been a part of these students’ lives since seventh grade, and…

Traci Aucoin on the Discover Lafayette podcast: GEAR UP program key as 70% of jobs require some education after high school

Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) GEAR UP Project Director Traci Aucoin, an NCCEP Board Member, recently featured the important work of GEAR UP in her community and nationwide on a local Lafayette podcast episode. As close to 70% of jobs require some form of education after high school, LPSS GEAR UP is providing critical college readiness to over 3,000 students in…

High School Students Learn About STEM Pathways and Space Exploration

The summer is a time to explore and learn with many different GEAR UP programming opportunities. GEAR UP students at California State University, Fullerton did that by participating in an innovative STEM space mission led by Space Center Houston researchers in partnership with a study through John Hopkins University.“We included guest speakers from the STEM fields so the students could learn more about careers they may have…

Engineering alum strives to make college more accessible for disenfranchised students

Tina Akinyi recently joinedGEAR UP Iowa as a GEAR UP coordinator through Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). Akinyi immigrated from Nairobi in high school and attended Iowa State University to study engineering. Through learning more about postsecondary enrollment and persistence and while reflecting on her own experiences, she decided to shift her career path towards helping students. “If we can have…

New banners showcase recent King City High School graduates’ success

California State University Monterey Bay GEAR UP recently implemented a unique initiative to celebrate the Class of 2020. Dozens of banners featuring their graduates were displayed on light posts throughout King City, California. According to Deserie Lozano, associate director of CSUMB GEAR UP, the project was a way to “celebrate the achievements of our graduating seniors who have worked so very hard to excel in their …