We know that the success of your GEAR UP program relies on the collaborative efforts of your GEAR UP team, but that there are also those in your team that go above and beyond the call of duty. Through the annual NCCEP/GEAR UP Leadership Awards, we wish to recognize those individuals who are due national recognition for their contributions to GEAR UP as a whole. Please take a moment to nominate a professional, partner, family leader, and/or student who deserves this accolade.

While there are many who come to mind as deserving of these awards, ruminate on an individual who has embodied the purpose of the GEAR UP grant which, as you well know, is to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Has a professional turned their GEAR UP program into a movement that is highly effective in increasing college attendance rates? How does your community partner elevate your GEAR UP program in ways you could not have without them? Does the parent or family member of one of your GEAR UP students embrace the challenge of navigating career and college knowledge with fervor and fidelity and in doing so inspire other families to do the same? Can you think of a student who has beaten the odds because they were able to use their GEAR UP program as a catalyst to their success?

The brief application is worth your time and effort because the recipient(s) are worth the acknowledgment. So help us help you shine the spotlight on those who do an outstanding job of helping students succeed!

Applications Due: May 4, 2018

• 2018 GEAR-UP Professional of the Year Award - Application
• 2018 GEAR UP Community Partner of the Year Award - Application
• 2018 GEAR UP Family Leader of the Year Award - Application
• 2018 GEAR UP Student of the Year Award - Application