Lighting the Way, Together
This National GEAR UP Week, we saw what happens when a community commits to lighting the way for others. From proclamations to student stories, from program milestones to heartfelt thank-yous, the message was clear: #GEARUPWorks.
Check out the highlights below!
From all of us at NCCEP, thank you. Your work helps students see what's possible, and watching your stories come in all week has truly been our highlight. Keep sharing them, and let's keep that light shining all year long. ✨ With gratitude, The NCCEP Team
This year's theme, Lighting the Way, celebrated the mentors, counselors, families, and students who illuminate the path to college and career. Across the country, programs shared their impact, honored their people, and showed policymakers just how brightly GEAR UP shines.
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Click Here To See The Highlights
Advocate: Engaging Elected Officials and Communities
GEAR UP programs raised their voices this week by connecting with policymakers at the local and state levels. Collectively, programs secured 21 proclamations recognizing National GEAR UP Week across nine states.
In Wichita, Kansas, Mayor Lily Wu proclaimed Sept. 21–25 as National GEAR UP Week, honoring the four GEAR UP programs housed at Wichita State University. GEAR UP Utah met with Olivia Price from Senator Mike Lee's office to share how GEAR UP helps students across the state recognize their potential and see new possibilities for their future.
These efforts help build lasting support for GEAR UP at every level of government.
Activate: Raising Awareness that #GEARUPWorks!
Programs put their results in the spotlight this week. Kansas Kids GEAR UP delivered 11,205 hours of direct services in 2024–25 and awarded $403,480 in scholarships to 201 scholars, while GEAR UP at James Madison University highlighted the 400+ students it serves.
Appalachian GEAR UP let the people closest to the work tell the story. Staff and educators went on camera to share how GEAR UP is transforming their communities and why they're so passionate about helping students discover their paths.
And Vermont Student Assistance Corporation introduced us to Brooklynn Letourneau, a senior and class leader preparing for a future in nursing with support from her GEAR UP counselor. When students have support, they shine.
This week we celebrated the students, staff, and partners who keep the GEAR UP light burning bright.
At Voorhees University GEAR UP, students took part in the When I See Myself, I See… art project. In a short video, student Ta'Mauri shares his artwork and the goals he has for his future.
University of Washington GEAR UP celebrated the student interns making a difference in their program, while Colorado GEAR UP kept spirits high in style with a donut party for students and staff.
GEAR UP Longwood spent the week spotlighting the people behind their work, including Kyle Kayhart, Technology Specialist and GEAR UP Data Coordinator. Kyle's path took him from a Vermont math classroom to educational technology in Southside Virginia, and his message to students is one we love: there's more than one path to where you want to go, and the unexpected route can lead you exactly where you're meant to be.
And through our own GEAR UP Heroes and Rising Stars campaign, NCCEP honored the people who make GEAR UP work, like Kevin Perry from Fort Wayne Community Schools GEAR UP. At the close of camp, Kevin asked for the mic to thank the staff, partners, and volunteers who made it happen. Nobody asked him to. He just thought it mattered, and that's the GEAR UP spirit in a nutshell.