In 2017, Alex Chough, April Bell, and I, along with the rest of the NCCEP team, spent hours (and hours ... and hours) researching options to create an online community for GEAR UP programs across the country. Once we found this platform, we spent hours (and hours ... and hours) in collaboration with the team to build something that had areas to discuss common challenges and share resources. The Quad continues to grow and evolve with the community, including an updated "News" page for everyone…

Since 2014, we have watched (and participated in) the nation's school communities celebrate their graduating high school seniors and their accomplishments as part of the Reach Higher initiative. Well, this year is no different, but we want to add a twist to our GEAR UP 2021 College Signing Day or Decision Day celebrations. We ask you, yes you, all GEAR UP Directors, Coordinators, Family Engagement Specialists, and even Evaluators to LEVEL UP! ICYDK, LEVEL UP means "to go to a higher level or…