Upward Bound program to help high school students

Chadron State this month was awarded $250,000 per year through 2011 to start its Upward Bound program.

Dr. Rex Cogdill, CSC Student Support Services interim project director, said the program is designed to provide intensive, targeted activities for the students to help them complete their high school education and succeed in college. The grant is scheduled to begin providing services to students beginning this September.

The Upward Bound program will provide comprehensive services to students, including tutoring, test preparation assistance and individual counseling. Chadron State also will offer a six-week summer program that will include intensive instruction in such areas as mathematics, health sciences, computer sciences, foreign language, arts and crafts and English.

Student stipends and paid summer internships will be offered to participants to encourage continuity of enrollment. Cultural enrichment activities and visits to colleges and universities also will be part of the program.

Upward Bound is one of six federal TRIO programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their educational endeavors. In addition to assisting people with lower incomes, the programs are targeted for “first-generation college students,” defined as those whose parents do not hold a four-year degree.

Chadron State’s Student Support Services program, Project Strive, also is a TRIO program. That project was initiated in 2001 and began its second four-year funding cycle in 2005.