Upward Bound Connects Underrepresented Students to Campus and Higher Education

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Upward Bound Programs at the U of A continue their decades-long endeavor to support low-income, first-generation high school students in their goal to complete high school and succeed in higher education. While Upward Bound provides services, events and workshops year-round, the residential summer programs on the U of A campus are the hallmark of a student's experience in the program. Upward Bound students live in a residence hall, eat meals in a university dining hall and have classes in the university's academic buildings.

Upward Bound Programs Director Keith Brink expresses how "living and attending classes on a university campus during high school allows our students, most of whom will be the first in their family to attend college, to gain the confidence necessary to see this as a part of their future. These experiences result in students who are more likely to go to college and more likely to graduate from college than their peers," Brink said.  

One hundred and forty-five students from high schools throughout Northwest Arkansas attended the Upward Bound Sophomore Summer and Summer Academy programs for up to five weeks of classes in a diverse curriculum. While being immersed in core academic classes, ACT prep and research, students also enjoyed elective enrichment courses such as creative writing, art, theater, chess and juggling. Top-notch instructors, many of whom are local high school and college instructors, assembled by Academic Coordinator Vicki Hodges, meet students where they are to enhance their skills through active learning and engagement, often from a project-based approach.

To provide unique academic opportunities, Upward Bound has developed a strong STEM focus led by Gary Bates and LaShall Bates. This summer the Bateses, both science faculty at NWACC, taught a hands-on molecular biology course and mentored four seniors in an intensive research project in partnership with Ranil Wickramasinghe, Distinguished Professor and director of the U of A Membrane Science, Engineering & Technology Center. In addition, Daniel Lessner (biological sciences), Martin Egan and Rupesh Kariyat (entomology and plant pathology) and Colin Heyes (chemistry and biochemistry) hosted a total of 10 Upward Bound seniors for research experiences in their respective labs. Upward Bound greatly appreciates the valuable partnership with U of A faculty through these collaborations.

"The opportunity to conduct research in actual university facilities has been incredibly beneficial, providing participants with tangible experience that helps prepare them for future careers in STEM fields," Hodges said. 

In addition to the content gleaned from their classroom and research experiences, Upward Bound students enjoyed a myriad of cultural and social activities. Students attended a production at Theatre Squared, enjoyed a variety of social clubs from cooking to board games, competed in the annual UB Cup competition at the HPER gym, had a special international appreciation dinner with members of the university's International Culture Team and culminated their summer experience with a cultural trip to Kansas City, Missouri. 

These activities and events were facilitated and chaperoned by Associate Director Lacey Beth Gebhart, two year-round academic advisers and a 16-person summer residential team.

Beyond the high school experience, 17 recent graduates participated in Upward Bound's summer Bridge program. As its name suggests, this program is designed to help "bridge the gap" between high school and college, providing support for students as they begin their journey into higher education. 

Housed in Hotz Hall during the university's summer II session, each student was enrolled in courses ranging from chemistry to introduction to drawing. Along with their coursework, students spent time in a work-study experience hosted by numerous departments and colleges across campus to provide opportunities to earn a stipend and develop career-related skills. While the focus of the Bridge program is academic success, these students also engaged in social activities such as movie nights and "family" dinners. 

As part of their fourth and final year in Upward Bound, these students have built lasting friendships and a loving, supportive community. As recent Upward Bound graduate Jade Turner said, "This program has truly transformed my life... To me, Upward Bound is more than just a program; it's a family. It's a place where my peers and I are brought one step closer to our dreams."

About Upward Bound and the Division of Student Affairs: Upward Bound is a college preparation and access program funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Education. This federally funded TRIO program provides vital academic and support services to eligible high school students, preparing them for the rigors of college. Upward Bound at the University of Arkansas is part of The Division of Student Affairs. The Division of Student Affairs supports the whole student by cultivating transformative experiences and environments that promote student well-being, sense of community, and success. We prioritize student access, well-being, and belonging, post-graduation success, and building a strong organizational culture.