West Virginia GEAR UP Graduate Gives Back to New Cohort of Students as She Succeeds in Academia

Beginning in the seventh grade, West Virginia GEAR UP helped to shape Taylor Raby's future. Years later, she is giving back to her community as a College Access Program Specialist while pursuing her Ed.S. degree. Today, she reflects on how the GEAR UP program guided her and how it will help the next generation of students successfully pursue their postsecondary education in both West Virginia and…

ASU students tutor, mentor local eighth graders during school closures

Arizona State University (ASU) GEAR UP, along with GEAR UP programs nationwide, had to change the way they were implementing services when schools began closing earlier this year. Despite the inability to provide services in-person, ASU GEAR UP continued to successfully provide academic support services, like tutoring, to GEAR UP students in Arizona. Jasmine Dean, ASU GEAR UP coordinator says, “Our students are transitioning…

Success for these students means success for Iowa

GEAR UP Iowa has celebrated their students online over the past few months, to ensure their graduating seniors still receive the recognition they deserve, despite missing out on traditional graduation ceremonies. This article highlights the successes, in the data and in the student experiences, that GEAR UP Iowa has achieved over the years. One GEAR UP Iowa student says, “With GEAR UP I have chances of doing things that I wouldn’t be able to do…

Camp focuses on real world experience for high school students

Lafayette GEAR UP students recently participated in a virtual summer camp with Louisiana Tech University called “Keep Calm and Camp on with Louisiana Tech: What’s COVID-19 Got to Do With You?”. Dr. Jamie Newman, associate dean for research and graduate studies in the College of Applied and Natural Sciences said, “VISTA – Visual Integration of Science Through Art – provides students the opportunity to combine a passion and interest…

William Fleming senior turned to music, education when faced with obstacles

Cartlie Vincent, a GEAR UP graduate from GEAR UP Virginia, was recently featured as a graduating senior at William Fleming High School. With COVID-19 impacting graduation, she turned to her love of music to get her through the challenge, as she had many times in her life. Crediting GEAR UP’s support as she prepared for college, she said, “With GEAR UP, I learned that college may not be so far from my reach.”  

Vanguard Academy connects with Duke University

Vanguard GEAR UP students were recently selected to participate in Duke University’s Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP). High achieving students, who score in the 95th percentile of standardized tests, are selected to participate in this prestigious program. Karolina Morales, Mother of a Rembrandt Secondary Duke TIP State Qualifier, stated: “I truly appreciate the educational opportunities provided for my son, Evan, including Saturday DUKE TIP…

Tech partners with Discovery Education to provide personalized digital learning service

Louisiana GEAR UP was recently featured for their innovative partnerships with Louisiana Tech University and Discovery Education in an effort to implement STEM programming virtually. The initiative, Connect2Success, was initially conducted through in-person events, but is now being delivered virtually. “In this uncertain environment, it’s important that learning continues, even if it can’t happen in person,” …

GEAR UP 2020 Graduate Accepted to University of North Carolina Blue Sky Scholars Program

After visiting The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a GEAR UP campus visit as a junior, Brenda Palacios Rodriguez knew right away that it was the place for her. Fast forward a year, and the Appalachian GEAR UP graduate has received multiple scholarships offers from prestigious institutions including a full-ride to UNC Chapel Hill. Brenda shares, “GEAR UP to me means bright opportunity. It means…

GEAR UP Kentucky confronts outbreak with innovation and creative outreach

As we have seen, GEAR UP programs across the country have risen to the challenge of school closures and COVID-19 with distinct innovation and resilience. Much of that innovation has occurred to stay connected to GEAR UP students without in-person services. As Kim Drummond, GEAR UP Kentucky Director explains, remaining connected to students is critical, “It’s absolutely vital that we maintain relationships with our…