Upward Bound program funded for another five years

 Maggie Smith-Bruehlman, CSC Upward Bound director, received notification Tuesday, May 8, that the federally funded program will continue to receive $250,000 per year through 2017. The program has annually served as many as 50 students since its last funding cycle began in 2007.

“This is exciting news for the program and the region,” Smith-Bruehlman said. “We are thankful that we will carry on in serving these students. The program has done a lot of good during the past five years and will continue to do so.”

The Upward Bound program is designed to provide intensive, targeted activities to help students complete high school and succeed in college. The program’s focus is on students of low income, rural backgrounds and those whose parents did not attend college. Its comprehensive services include tutoring, test preparation assistance and individual counseling during the academic year. It also offers a month-long summer program.

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

Smith-Bruehlman said a change to the program for the upcoming funding cycle will be the addition of students in Crawford, while continuing to serve Chadron and Alliance. Although no new students will be added from Gordon-Rushville High School, the four currently-enrolled participants have been invited to continue most of the program’s services.

Smith-Bruehlman said the students of Crawford will be a good fit for the program, especially considering the community’s close proximity to Chadron.

The Upward Bound staff includes Smith-Bruehlman and academic advisors at each of the high school sites.

The summer program, which gives the Upward Bound students an experience similar to college life, will begin next month. The students will check in at the CSC campus June 3 and complete the program on the eve of Independence Day. They will stay in the residence halls and take part in the wide variety of lessons and activities, many of which will be led by CSC faculty members and students.

Smith-Bruehlman said a highlight will be a trip to educational and cultural sites near Fort Collins and Steamboat Springs, Colo., during the program’s final week.

Upward Bound is one of six federal TRIO programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their educational endeavors.

CSC’s Student Support Services program, Project Strive, also is a TRIO program. It was initiated in 2001.