The GEAR UP Achievers & GEAR UP RISE UP programs announced their participation in National GEAR UP Week 2024 from September 23rd – 29th. This week commemorated the continuing success of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a college access program providing students and families the support and resources they need for college success.
This year marked the 25-year anniversary of the establishment of GEAR UP programs, in which they work to improve educational outcomes for millions of low-income, minority and disadvantaged students across the United States. The University of Washington was granted its first GEAR UP program in 2005 with the RISE UP program and has now served a total of 28,000 throughout the past 20 years. The Achievers program received their grant in 2019 and serves 4,977 students.
GEAR UP RISE UP site coordinators across 14 school districts celebrated National GEAR UP Week 2024 by organizing a range of enjoyable and educational activities. These included field trips to both two-year and four-year colleges, college and career fairs, and an assembly honoring their newly inducted sixth-grade GEAR UP cohort. Additionally, there were engaging activities like college door wars, GEAR UP Kahoot/Jeopardy games, a paint night focused on envisioning your future, and much more! All these events aimed to enhance access to college pathways and getting to know their GEAR UP staff.
GEAR UP Achievers site coordinators in the 3 school districts spent their week engaging in activities for students, families, teachers, and connecting with partners within the community. Coordinators hosted family nights, GEAR UP led senior assemblies, college access workshops, classroom presentations, college and career fairs, & more! Additionally, GEAR UP College Navigators hosted welcome week activities for their students during the first week of the college. Students had the opportunity to go on campus tours, meet their new mentors, pick-up care packages, and connect with other GEAR UP students.
GEAR UP continues to make a positive impact on students, families and even teachers. One Esports teacher from East Valley High School mentioned that GEAR UP has impacted their teaching by, “by providing students with access to cutting edge technology that is necessary to have a robust and real-world experience in computer science. Many programs in the state rely on web-based curriculum for their computer science courses. While these type of curricular programs are adequate for the learning of computer science, this experience is unlike what is actually used in industry. The IT industry uses high-powered computing technology combined with cutting edge software that most school computers cannot run. With GEAR UP, I was able to purchase the technology and build a top tier CS lab. This has required me to learn a variety of industry tools so that I can pass those skills on to my students and better prepare them for the workplace.” GEAR UP funds are not only increasing educational opportunities for students but also enabling teachers to expand their curriculum and better engage their students.
“National GEAR UP week is a time to celebrate one another, and all the amazing opportunities GEAR UP has to offer. Our teams are working hard to provide outreach and support to our communities while creating excitement and fun around pursuing post-secondary pathways. Cheers to 25 years of GEAR UP!” – Kindra Cutler
For more information about UW GU RISE UP please contact Dina Ibarra e: dibarra@uw.edu. For more information about UW GU Achievers, please contact Kindra Cutler e: krcutler@uw.edu To learn more about the program nationally, please contact the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships at 202-530-1135 or www.edpartnerships.org.
About UW GU RISEUP: Offers events and programs designed to help students from underserved communities prepare for and succeed in higher education.
About UW GU Achievers: Our goal is to dramatically increase the number of students who enter and succeed in post-secondary programs.
GEAR UP Achievers launches GEAR UP Beyond, our extended support program designed to guide students after they graduate from high school. Whether a student is starting college this Fall, starting a career, or taking a gap year, we want to ensure that everyone can receive the support they need!
In order for students to stay connected, they must share contact info and enroll via our GEAR UP Beyond form, which is supported via GECKO communications platform. All students in the Class of 2024 and Class of 2025 at a GEAR UP eligible high school (except in Kent School District, Class of 2024 only) can enroll in GEAR UP Beyond. Students must talk with their GEAR UP site coordinator for more information about how to enroll.
By registering for GEAR UP Beyond, students will stay connected to our valuable resources and services beyond graduation. Here are a few things that students can expect:
Support from your College Navigator
Post-Graduation Resources
Access to Events & Workshops
What is a College Navigator?
GEAR UP hired four new staff, College Navigators, whose purpose is to work with all GEAR UP Achievers students after they graduate from high school. Students can think of these new staff members as someone like their school-based coordinator they had while they were in high school. A go-to person that they can reach out to get questions answered about enrolling into college, registering for classes, financial aid, scholarships, resumes, finding internships, and more! High school students might meet these folks at one of their school-based events doing some tabling, at a family night, field trip, or even a workshop to name a few.
Who is my College Navigator?
Depending on your post-secondary plan, every student enrolled in GEAR UP Beyond will have an assigned College Navigator to support. Get to know our College Navigator team little bit more by reading below:
Amaris Penaloza-Rayo
Bellevue College
Out of State (last names A – M)
“My goal as your College Navigator is to support students in their year post-high school! From helping choosing college courses to life transitions, I’ll be there for you. I’m looking forward to working with GEAR UP students and be an advocate for their journey.”
Jessica Par
Green River College
WA State 2-Year Technical / Community Colleges
“As your College Navigator with the GEAR UP Achievers Program, I am excited to partner with you as you explore your post-secondary journey, whether that means navigating college or other alternative pathways. My background as a first-generation college student exposed me to important resources and guidance that meaningfully shaped my college journey, and I hope I can be that resource for you as well. Cheers to a new adventure – I look forward to working with you!”
Kendy Trinh
Highline College
Renton Technical College
Out of State (last names N – Z)
“I’m thrilled to be part of your college journey and to support you as you take your next big steps! Whether you’re planning a transfer or diving into a technical career, I’m here to help guide you through every twist and turns. Let’s make this journey as exciting and fulfilling as it can be!”
Mauricio Majano
UW Seattle
WA State Public 4-Year Colleges
“Congratulations on reaching the milestone of high school graduation! I’m excited to be a part of your team as you navigate post-high school life. Whether in your first year of college or exploring careers, I look forward to connecting you with GEAR UP Support.”
Regardless of wherever you end up after graduation, GEAR UP will be there to support you along the way. Please visit the “Find Your College Navigator” page on our website if you have more questions about GEAR UP Beyond & services post-graduation. If you don’t see your pathway listed with a navigator, please reach out to us here.
The GEAR UP Achievers & GEAR UP RISE UP/SKY Programs announced their participation in National GEAR UP Week 2023. September 25-29th commemorated the continuing success of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a college access program providing students and families with the support and resources they need for college success. Since its inception in 1999, GEAR UP has improved educational outcomes for millions of low-income, minority and disadvantaged students across the United States, including 4,470 served by GEAR UP Achievers and 9,099 served by GEAR UP RISE UP/SKY program.
GU RISE UP/SKY coordinators were busy in all 13 school districts across the state engaging with our GEAR UP participants. Our GU Coordinators have been innovative and have prepared fun and educational activities through the week. From getting to know your GU staff to social emotional health, our GU Coordinators ensured program participants participated and reminded our students of the support services they can receive though GEAR UP.
GEAR UP Achievers coordinators were on the go in all 4 school districts supporting students, families, school-based staff and engaging in STEM activities. Coordinators hosted college fairs, career panels, college access workshops, family nights, GEAR UP led assemblies, STEM field trips and classroom science experiments, and more!
GEAR UP continues to have lasting impacts on the communities they serve. One GEAR UP Program Parent mentioned, “I love the experiences that students being a part of a Gear Up class receive; my daughter fell in love with UW since she visited the campus with the Gear Up program. This will be her first-year at UW!” (Parent at Toppenish High School). GEAR UP is touching the lives of so many young people. Jackie Garcia, a senior at Foster High School recalled her favorite thing about GEAR UP as being, “Very welcoming and anyone can fit in. We have a lot of fun things for students to do and be engaged. As well as incorporating families.” National GEAR UP Week is a time to celebrate these accomplishments in our community.
White Swan High School
Stress balls, canvas painting, cap and gown try-ons
Wahluke High School
Graduation Pledge
Goldendale High School
Care packages for 1st year students by 11/12th grades students
Toppenish High School
Getting to Know you Wheel
Sunnyside High School
Planning Your Future event
GEAR UP Week Achievers
For more information about UW GU RISEUP/SKY please contact Dina Ibarra e: dibarra@uw.edu. For more information about UW GU Achievers, please contact Roslyn Kagy e: roslyn@uw.edu. To learn more about the national GEAR UP program, please contact the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships at 202-530-1135 or www.edpartnerships.org.
About UW GU RISEUP/SKY: Offers events and programs designed to help students from underserved communities prepare for and succeed in higher education.
About UW GU Achievers: Our goal is to dramatically increase the number of students who enter and succeed in post-secondary programs.
GEAR UP Achievers celebrates two weeks of exciting and enriching residential summer camps: Husky Leadership Academy’s “Space Camp” and “The Science of Politics of Health.
Over 100 GEAR UP juniors across 5 of our high schools joined us to explore different STEM career pathways. Each camp, students stayed on University of Washington Seattle campus for 6 days, 5 nights. Students were able to experience life as a college student by taking STEM classes taught by university professors while living in the dormitory, dining at the university food halls while attending enrichment programs led by 12 GEAR UP College Mentors and staff. College Mentors were able to lead students to explore the diverse dining options at the “Ave”, enjoyed a night at the Hub Games, and built community through team building exercises. In the evenings, students participated in workshops to learn about the college-going process including choosing a college, major, and financial aid information. When reflecting on their experience with us this summer, one student mentioned, “Very educational and fun…new doors were opened for careers and majors…. I would recommend GEAR UP camp.” These camps not only provided valuable insights but also left lasting memories that will continue to inspire and shape their future.
UW Summer Programs
Space Camp
GEAR UP Achievers worked alongside the Northwest Earth & Space Sciences Pathways (NESSP) for SPACE CAMP, a summer camp inspired by the Artemis Mission and was focused on hands-on learning of science & engineering process. NESSP serves as a NASA hub in the Pacific Northwest to strengthen STEM education region-wide and enhance NASA educational materials for middle and high school students (nwessp.org).
During the Space Camp, students were engaged in a series of hands-on missions including learning how to code rovers to maneuver the moon’s terrains, flying drones to accomplish mission objectives, and designing and testing water rockets. Throughout the missions, students were constantly challenged in the engineering design process and gained important STEM skills such as coding, designing prototypes, and creating designs using 3D printing.
In addition to taking classes from university professors and researchers, students had the opportunity to visit research labs on campus and meet aerospace engineers and staff from Jeff Bezo’s aerospace and spaceflight company, Blue Origin. Lastly, our students also had an excursion to the Museum of Flight where they learned more about various lunar missions and tested out the flight simulators.
After spending an intensive five days completing their test missions, students participated in a final mission objective and presented their hard work to their families and friends in a celebration luncheon on campus.
Health Camp
While SPACE Camp focused on science and engineering, The Science & Politics of Health Camp provided opportunities to 50 students to stay on UW Campus to learn about the diverse pathways in healthcare and network with different health professionals.
Health Camp kicked off with our guest speaker, Kaiser Permanente of Washington’s current Medical Director for Healthcare Career Pathways (i.e. Pipeline Programs) and member of BIPOC Health Careers Ecosystem, Dr. Ali Thomas. He gave a brief historical account of prejudice and racism in healthcare and provided students an opportunity to reflect on their roles they have in the community.
UW’s School of Public Health professors, Victoria Garder and Carolin Spice tag team to lead a session for students to experience what it would be like to be studying public health in college. Students were able evaluate their community assets and identify public health challenges in their community. Victoria Gardner, who is also the Assistant Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, also provided valuable insights on programs that students can apply for continued interest in healthcare careers.
In addition to Public Health, students were also able to hear from Dr. Villareal from the School of Pharmacy, learned about the field of respiratory therapist from Federico Olivas, Respiratory Therapist from Harborview Hospital and formed discussion groups with healthcare college students from the Health Sciences Center Minority Students Program (HSCMSP) to learn about their pathway to the healthcare majors. And to build skills, students also took a class in first aid and received their CPR certification!
On the last class day, students gained insights community health organizers, Stephanie Ung of Khmer Community of Seattle King County (KCSKC) and Erandi Flores Bucio, the co-founder of Auburn Youth United to explore how they can make a difference in their own community as high school students.
We also toured the state-of-the-art UW Medicine Research Labs in South Lake Union where they also met with various scientists from Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM).
After 5 days of networking and taking classes, students spent Saturday reflecting on the week and pathway of interest with their fellow campers in a celebratory luncheon. Students made new connections with students from different schools, college mentors, and last memories at UW Seattle.
School-Based Programs
Our high schools hosted a variety of school-based workshops for our senior GEAR UP students. Nearly 200 students from across the region participated in one of the school-based programs that focused on getting ready to begin their journey to college and higher education. Throughout high school, students must steer their way through numerous obstacles that come with balancing their rigorous academic courses, social life, home responsibilities, jobs, extracurricular activities, and more. During senior year, they add to the stressors of college applications, financial aid, and deciding what their next steps will be. Navigating the college process can be challenging, and it is even more so for first-generation students embarking on this journey. These summer programs were designed to provide students with knowledge and support they need to kickstart this process and enter the school year ahead of the game.
During these senior bootcamps, students engaged in research, narrowed down their college list, and some even started their applications. Participants received guidance from college admissions counselors on the application process and acquired tips and tricks for crafting excellent personal statements. GEAR UP students also learned various methods to finance their college education, created their FSA IDs and started searching for and applying for scholarships. Other topics included identity, resume and job skills, career exploration, leadership development, and more! Current UW student and college mentor Elisa Lopez mentioned, “I was glad to help students the way I wished I was helped during my senior year; any help is appreciated during this time.” Our students gained valuable insights, resources and support from a variety of college access experts and college students. GEAR UP attendees walked away from their senior programs feeling more confident entering their senior year well-prepared.
Check out some of the latest events and activities our schools have put on for their students over the last couple of months.
Auburn School District
Auburn High School has been busy taking students on many field trips to help expose them to different career options. During their mid-winter break, GEAR UP students in Auburn toured the American Car Museum, UW-Tacoma campus, Museum of Pop Culture and recently visited the Fisherman’s terminal!
70 students from Auburn visited the Port of Seattle where they had the opportunity to learn about Maritime careers. Students participated in a career scavenger hunt, toured the Fisherman’s Terminal, interacted with maritime professionals and even got to hop on one of their docked boats. During their field trip to the Museum of Pop culture, students had the opportunity to participate in a workshop and a museum tour. Students were able to understand how artists used their talent, skills and artistry as a platform to raise awareness to different causes and make a difference. Students were able to use their individual and collective skills to process collective anger, raise awareness and let their voices be heard through crafted personal justice statements. Finally, at the Car Museum, students got to learn about the automotive field from a different perspective. Students learned about the history of automobiles and how innovation and technology have shaped the industry.
Kent School District
Students and families attending Kent-Meridian (KM) got to dive into topics around money. Erika Enciso-Castillo, GEAR UP coordinator at KM, partnered with theRed Canoe Credit Union to offer afinancial literacy workshop for students. GEAR UP Hangouts is a weekly event that is held on Thursdays from 2:15 – 3:15 PM for students to come in and learn and prepare themselves for college. During this hangout, GEAR UP students learned more about credit scores, interest rates, loans, differences between the various banking accounts and asked questions they had about those topics. Erika mentioned, “Many of our students are starting to have jobs and they had many questions about financial literacy. I believed it was an important topic for them to learn about and have the space to ask questions.” We are excited that Red Canoe Credit Union will be back for another GEAR UP Hangout in May!
KM also hosted a school-wide family night focused on paying for college in partnership with the College Success Foundation (CSF) & Upward Bound. Families were able to learn about the various ways to make college affordable and emphasized the importance of applying for scholarships. The event was a huge success, with over 200 people in attendance! After the presentation, parents could check out the scholarship fair with representatives from local and state scholarship organizations. Some of the partners included: Science Hill Scholars, Kent Foundation, Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS), CSF– Leadership 1000, Husky Promise & Upward Bound. Seniors who participated could also start or get help completing their financial aid application.
Kentridge & Kentwood High school hired their newest Student Success Specialist. We are excited to see the impact our new coordinators will have in Kent.
Jonathan Delcid- Kentwood High School “My name is Jonathan Delcid, and I am the new GEAR UP Student Success Specialist at Kentwood High School. I grew up in Seattle, WA and graduated from the University of Washington. I started working in education through the YMCA working with their afterschool and intervention programs. Over the past 4 years, I have been with Treehouse, a non-profit focusing on working with youth in the foster care system. I am extremely excited to begin working within the Kentwood community!”
Favian Mares- Kentridge High School “My name is Favian Mares, and I am the GEAR UP Specialist for Kentridge High School. I am originally from the Yakima Valley and attended the University of Washington where I studied Education, Communities & Organizations and Nutritional Sciences. In my previous work with Seattle Promise and Dream Project, I have been able to engage with the Seattle and Kent community through family/student outreach and learn different ways to provide equitable college and career educational opportunities. I am really excited to be back at Kentridge High School and collaborate with the staff and students!”
Renton School District
Hazen high school had a family night focused on preparing for post-secondary. Over 150 people were in attendance and were ready to get their questions answered. Hazen’s school counselors joined the event to discuss high school graduation requirements and dual credit options such as running start. Representatives from the UW’s Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment team (MOR) also came down to talk about college admissions and answer families’ questions. Hazen will host another family night in May to teach families how to prepare for junior and senior year.
Lindbergh High School hosted their first-ever Brighter Future Summit. The summit is designed to give young Black men the space and opportunity to build community, get inspired, dream and plan for their future. Students learned more about themselves and engaged in topics around social-emotional learning and academic goal setting. Students had the opportunity to hear from Malcolm Baber, a local firefighter, and Mohamed Abdi, the youngest councilman to serve in Tukwila. Black students at Lindbergh are looking forward to more opportunities to connect with each other and continue having conversations about their future and striving for Black excellence.
Renton High School and Talley High School partnered with the Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS) a nonprofit organization that supports students to graduate career and college ready, bring all 10th grade students on worksite tours. All 10th grade students were asked to complete a survey where they picked their top 3 career interests, and they were then matched with a location that best fit one of their three choices. Most of the field trips had 3 main components: Learn about the company, a hands-on activity, and speed networking to learn about different jobs in the company. Students got the chance to visit one of the following companies:
Hyatt Seattle
Hyatt Lake Washington
Orion Industries
Skills Inc.
Microsoft
Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center
Coffman Engineers
Boeing
King County International Airport
Port of Seattle
Costco
Providence Healthcare
Tukwila School District
Foster High School hosted their first-ever Parent Academy. Glendal Tautua, GEAR UP Coordinator at Foster, led a 6-week program to help teach students and their families how to best prepare for the college going process. Parents at Foster were interested in learning more about how to support their students, information about the various postsecondary pathways and how to pay for college. One parent mentioned, “I appreciated receiving the information to feel more prepared in supporting my student during senior year. I also appreciated being able to hear from other parents, sometimes it can feel like we are trying to figure it out alone but it’s nice to know other parents are in the same place as me.” Another parent stated, “Financial literacy is really important. I never went to college. I went to trade school, so I didn’t really know much about the process. I know a little bit now, but Parent Academy really helped fill in some gaps and better prepared on what to expect.” Parent Academy has been a huge success with helping get our families ready for the college going process.
This fall, 49 parents from Lindbergh, Hazen, Renton, Kentwood, Kent-Meridian, Kentridge, and Foster High Schools attended GEAR UP’s first-ever Parent Academy. Parent Academy is an 8-week course designed to help families learn how to best support their students on their path to college by providing information and resources about the college-going process. The sessions were offered in English and Spanish and hosted at the UW GEAR UP Achievers office in Kent, Washington. The English course was co-facilitated by GEAR UP Achievers Program Managers Pulemau Savusa & Quadelle Satterwhite. The Spanish class was co-facilitated by Larissa Reza & Lucia Martinez, both well-known in South King County for their work with students and families in the community. Each week the facilitators focused on a new topic:
Session 1: Parent Academy Orientation
Session 2: All About High School
Session 3: Postsecondary Options
Session 4: Applying for College
Session 5: Different Ways to Pay for College
Session 6: All About FAFSA & WASFA
Session 7: Choosing a College
Session 8: Transition to College/What to Expect
Parents have a significant impact on their student’s success in education. When parents understand and engage in the steps their students must take to prepare for, apply to, and successfully start college, students have a higher chance of achieving their post-secondary goals. Families need accessible resources and information about what this journey looks like and safe spaces to have a dialogue and ask questions along the way. GEAR UP sought to create a safe learning community, explore topics in depth, and break down barriers that prevent families from supporting their children by letting them know what postsecondary options are available and the steps needed to get there. Another goal for Parent Academy was to help families understand the financial aspects of pursuing higher education by giving families accurate information to help them make informed decisions, and prepare them for what to expect from the high school to college transition process.
Parents joined our Parent Academy for a variety of reasons. Some of them include:
They wanted to gather information: What is the process? How to find scholarships and pay for college? What are all the postsecondary options available?
Their children are first-generation college students or parents who never graduated from college and need support.
They immigrated to the United States and are not familiar with the U.S. education system.
They want to learn how to best support their students.
Families shared many fears and worries as they think about their students going to college. Many families are concerned about the costs of college, picking the right college, navigating the application process, their student graduating from college, and more. Throughout their participation in Parent Academy, many of those fears were addressed, as information provided throughout the course allowed parents to feel more confident in supporting their student with the college-going process. One parent stated,
The figures below show some of the results from the pre- and post-surveys parents took in the English and Spanish courses. Data shows an increase in families’ understanding of college access concepts and their ability to support their students after completing Parent Academy.
Figure 1: English Pre-Survey
Figure 2: Spanish Pre-Survey
Figure 3: English Post-Survey Results
Figure 4: Spanish Post-Survey Results
Throughout the 8 weeks, parents formed a safe learning community where they could learn, share personal stories, and ask questions about the college-going process. Each week, we provide dinner from local businesses in the Kent area and parents shared a meal together before class began. Childcare was also available; families brought their young ones along while they were in class learning content, and their children could enjoy fun and enriching activities. Upon completion, each parent received up to a $160 cash stipend for attending Parent Academy. On the final day, we had a celebration where we awarded parents with a certificate of completion along with a small gift.
GEAR UP Achievers is proud of all the parents who participated, and we are honored to have built relationships with so many families over the past two months. We would like to give a big shoutout to all our GEAR UP coordinators who helped recruit families. Additionally, we want to thank our partners and facilitators who supported the planning, curriculum development, and logistical work that helped make the first-ever GEAR UP Parent Academy a success!
Studies have demonstrated that higher education paves the way for career success and financial independence. But research also shows that realizing the dream of a college degree can be a challenge, especially for students of color, low-income students and students who are the first in their family to attend college.
Story by: Jackson Holtz // Video by: Kiyomi Taguchi // Photos by: Raymond Smith and Jovelle Tamayo
On a sunny Saturday afternoon in early August, 45 teenagers from South King County gathered in Oak Hall to show off their new knowledge: how to harness sunshine to help fuel the University of Washington’s energy needs.
They’d just spent an intensive four days learning how to generate electricity without burning fossil fuels. As a capstone project, they had created nearly a dozen proposals for utilizing solar power on campus, including solar-powered scooters, sun-powered greenhouses, and energy-absorbing blinds for dorm windows.
The students — incoming high school sophomores and juniors — lived in the UW residence halls and took classes on campus, part of a summer camp the UW runs to inspire kids to get excited about science, and to dream about attaining a college degree.
It’s called Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP Achievers, and it’s one of the many college-access programs the UW’s Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity manages in Washington state.
“I feel like I could see a glimpse of my future,” said Munira Sharif, 16, a junior at Kent-Meridian High School, who created one of the solar power presentations. “I just think it’s better for everybody to have an experience of college and the social setting. And also, if you want a career in the future, if you have a degree, that’s a good thing.”
Sharif is right.
Studies have demonstrated — again and again — that higher education paves the way for career success and financial independence. But research also shows that realizing the dream of a college degree can be a challenge, especially for students of color, low-income students and students who are the first in their family to attend college.
Data for the past year shows that about 48% of Washington’s K-12 population are low income; and just over 50% are students of color, according to the Office of Superintendent for Public Instruction. At the UW, about 1 in 3 undergrads identifies as a first-generation college student.
That’s why OMA&D helps young people across Washington prepare for college, said Rickey Hall, university diversity officer and vice president for OMA&D. The UW and many other large universities target K-12 students to get them thinking early about how to best position themselves if they want to attend college. Each year, the UW reaches about 25,000 students in 85 school districts, 179 schools and 19 two-year colleges, aiming to decrease the opportunity gap and create more pathways to higher education.
“It’s helping people see that they can be in places like the UW,” Hall said.
Still, Hall said, the programs aren’t about just getting students into the UW; they’re about getting students to post-secondary education.
“It’s a bigger, global outcome, more about the public good,” he said.
A history of supporting BIPOC, low-income and first-generation college students
The Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity was born in 1968 out of student activism. Black students and other marginalized students on campus demanded better representation among the faculty, staff and student body. The UW was among the first universities in the country to establish an office to serve these student needs.
Part of that original vision, Hall said, was working with communities statewide to put middle schoolers on a path toward higher education. Research underscored the need for students at that age to develop specific study habits and skills for them to be successful at a top-tier school like the UW.
And, more than just acquiring academic skills, Hall said that these students and their families were more likely to succeed when resources were provided to orient everyone involved in a student’s success toward the four-year degree goal.
“We need to support students and families from these communities who may not know the process, or know how to navigate getting into a university, especially one like the UW,” said Patricia Loera, UW’s associate vice president for College Access, with oversight of a suite of programs designed to help young people succeed in pursuing higher education. OMA&D also helps with student success programs and ensures the UW is doing all it can to uplift and support students, faculty and staff from historically marginalized communities.
Photos above: Students participate in various GEAR UP camps, including on the Olympic Peninsula, designed to inspire students to pursue college. Photos by Jovelle Tamayo
At the beginning, the UW’s College Access efforts were aimed at creating a pathway for students to be competitive to get into the UW, but as opportunities came for additional funding, officials expanded the programs’ goals to reach all Washingtonians interested in going to college.
“Our primary goal really is to support students, period, and helping them pursue a post-secondary education, a college education, wherever that might be,” Loera said.
Tracking success with data
Today, the UW receives more than $77 million from the federal government, plus state funds, for outreach that begins with sixth-grade students. There are eight programs that range from providing summer education and leadership academies, like GEAR UP, to college visits and year-round curriculum designed to inspire students to pursue college.
The UW works with rural, urban and suburban communities to help “create that dream about going to college,” Loera said.
The UW collects reams of data to track the impact of the programs and see how many of these students make it through to graduation, among other success measures.
“We hold ourselves accountable by tracking those students,” she said.
Last year in GEAR UP, which works with students in the Kent, Auburn, Renton and Tukwila school districts, more ninth graders completed Algebra I than in previous years, and the number of families familiar with financial aid options increased, Loera said.
At the same time, however, science and math proficiency slipped in this cohort, the data showed.
“This past year, with the pandemic and the schools in King County closing or partially servicing students in a hybrid manner, serving the students was a challenge,” Loera said.
Even potentially discouraging information still helps UW officials retool the college access programs to achieve the best outcomes.
Upward Bound, UW’s oldest college access program, works with 123 students at Seattle’s Cleveland, Franklin and Chief Sealth high schools who are low-income or the first in their family to attend college.
In this group, success was measured by increasing students’ GPAs, reading, language arts and math skills, and helping to steer the students toward graduation. More than half of the participants went on to pursue a post-secondary education.
Last year, there were 48 Upward Bound high school seniors, 37 of whom applied to the UW. Of those, 30 students were accepted, and all of them started classes at the UW this fall.
Another program, the Educational Talent Search, serves the Mount Adams, Toppenish and Wapato school districts in the Yakima Valley. Participating middle and high school students qualify if they’re low-income, first generation or BIPOC. They receive guidance from program counselors on how to navigate post-secondary education, including filling out applications and qualifying for financial aid.
Charlene Luna, then a senior at Wapato High School, told The Yakima Herald last fall that the support was invaluable.
“Because I’m a first-generation student, I feel like I don’t have someone to go to when I need advice or confirmation on something (or) someone to look over my stuff,” Luna told the paper. “And they were there.”
In Spokane, the UW teamed its Washington Math Engineering and Science Achievement program with BASE 11, a project that builds a pipeline of entrepreneurs in STEM fields among students of color and other historically marginalized communities.
Sophomores from North Central High School participated in a national BASE 11 contest to draft business proposals showcasing their creativity and skills. Nova Sportsman’s project, “Menstruation Station” — an idea to provide increased access to women’s health products — won the contest.
The 15-year-old won $1,750 and a fully paid trip to New York City and Washington, D.C., to meet with Fortune 500 executives and visit The White House where she shared her idea with aides to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Now, Sportsman said she plans to continue her studies and advocacy, searching for solutions to unnoticed problems and speaking up for people without a voice to advocate for themselves. She hopes to attend the UW or The Evergreen State College to become a field marine biologist.
Hope for the future
“These folks, they really are going to change the world,” UW’s Hall said. “They are the ones that have the great ideas, and it’s led to the innovation that we see. And sometimes, given all the things going on in the world, it can seem rather bleak, but when you’re in space with young people and seeing what they’re doing, it’s just a lot of hope.”
Alfred’Ryan Esquivel Gonzalez, 16, likes sports, entrepreneurship and academics. He is thinking about becoming an architect.
He found out about GEAR UP in eighth grade. After taking a class on computer coding, he became interested in learning more. When he found out he could spend a week at the UW, he jumped at the opportunity.
The Foster High School sophomore wants to find the right fit for college. He’s looking for an urban setting that’s not too far from his family. After spending a few days at the UW, he’s already dreaming of becoming a Husky.
While his older sister has taken college courses, Gonzalez would be the first in his family to attend a big school like the UW.
“He’s a star,” said Jenaro Bincent Garcia, Gonzalez’s stepdad. Along with Gonzalez’s sisters and mom, Garcia came to UW this warm summer day with his family to celebrate his son’s achievement. “He’s going to great places.”
Even if he doesn’t decide to attend the UW, Gonzalez’s parents said they want the best for him and the rest of the family. Reflecting on the teenager’s week on a big college campus, learning science, meeting other kids with college aspirations and having fun, they said they were optimistic for the future.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for him,” Garcia said.
GEAR UP is a federally funded grant through the Department of Education, that provides middle and high school students from low-income, first generation, or minority families the support they need to access and succeed in college. In partnerships with the Kent, Tukwila, Auburn, and Renton school districts, our goal here at GEAR UP Achievers is to not only support students in succeeding in college, but to also support students in pursuing degrees in STEM related fields. This grant will hopefully allow educators to pursue innovative ways of increasing STEM interest in students.
Last year, GEAR UP Achievers schools in Kent, Renton, Auburn, and Tukwila received over $120,600 in STEM mini-grant funding. Teachers, principals, librarians, GEAR UP coordinators, and other school staff worked together on various proposals ranging from robotics kits for makerspaces, electrophoresis machines for science classes, to calculators for all students. It was an exciting grant year even amidst the pandemic and we are ready to start the school year with fresh energy and a new round of STEM mini-grant funding!
As our GEAR UP Achievers students move to 10th & 11th grade this year, one of our goals is to increase the number of students taking and succeeding in advanced math and science courses in high school. So, for this round of STEM mini-grants, we are focused on funding projects that will advance low-income or first-generation students in STEM related fields. If you are a teacher, principal, librarian, or other school staff at a GEAR UP Achievers middle or high school, then you are eligible to submit a proposal for a STEM mini-grant.
For 2022-2023 STEM mini-grants, the two deadlines to submit proposals are:
November 4, 2022
January 27, 2023
We are looking forward to reviewing your proposal(s) to read your creative ideas for engaging students in STEM learning during these times. For any questions, please reach out to your GEAR UP site coordinator or to the UW GEAR UP Achievers Director Roslyn Kagy (roslyn@uw.edu)
On March 25, 2022, Hazen High School students engaged in the Traveling Unspoken Truths: American History Museum, featuring storyteller Delbert Richardson. The national award-winning museum educated students, educators, community members, and administrators on unspoken truths of American History including sections on Mother Africa, American Chattel Slavery, Jim Crow Era, and Still We Rise African American Inventors.
Delbert asked students to have adult conversations and created a safe space for students to share harmful stereotypes to facilitate a conversation about the division of racism and how these beliefs shape our perception which can cloud our critical thinking skills. Mr. Richardson continues to narrate that the negative stereotypes and perceptions get in the way of supporting and respecting one another in ways that everyone wants to be seen and heard.
Students were then given the chance to think critically about primary resources and artifacts being presented in the museum. One student noted, “The shackles were heavy…why would any think this is okay?”. The kinesthetic (hands on) approach to learning allowed African American students to identify with S.T.E.A.M inventions and inventors like PC hardware and Dr. Mark Dean.
Storytelling:
After gaining an authentic life experience in thinking critically about American History Delbert led students through his critical analysis. First stop is MOTHER AFRICA which is a showing of the great contributions that Africans have made through the world including a S.T.E.A.M wonder of the world, the pyramid. Students continue to learn about CHATTEL SLAVERY where human beings are considered property and are bought and sold. In this section one teacher was shocked to find out several modern-day business and universities benefited from slavery. Delbert noted that his ancestors used bravery, intelligence, persistence, and resistance to remain alive and allow him to share their stories. Then Mr. Richardson shared how the JIM CROW era created a racial caste system geared around white supremacy and that jails today are steeped in that history. The story continues with STILL WE RISE to empower all students to explore S.T.E.A.M role models that they identify with and have been written out of history.
Student questions for further investigation:
How are people still able to get away with covering up the truth when there is now so much evidence as to what happened?
How can I help spread awareness on the importance of looking at history through a multitude of sources?
What can be done to change for the better of myself to tell my own stories to others in the future?
When did race become a social construct?
How do I work against my bias to become better and break down the social constructs I’ve been raised in?
After attending this event:
96% of students articulated one important new fact they learned
97% of students noted one thing they will do differently as a result of their learning
75% of students in indicated they had additional concerns or questions they wanted to explore further
100% of African American students felt valued and seen
Students thoughts as a result of the event:
“It was really nice to learn history from a black person because all my history teachers growing up were white. I though the Egyptology was very interesting” – 9th grader
“Whenever someone tells me their story, just listen, until they say it is appropriate to talk.” – 12th grader
“A lot of stuff in black history is filtered…[and I need to] do research of my own race.” – 9th grader
“One thing I will do differently as a result of what I learned today is finding a variety of sources with different peoples’ perspectives of history.” – 10th grader
“I want to know as much information as possible about the unknown creations that African Americans had made/influenced [and] Why isn’t this history being taught more in other history or English classes?” – 11th grader
A bonus outcome of this event was that three generations of Richardson’s were proud to be representing their ancestors.
Thank you to GEAR UP Achievers for making this event possible! We hope to have Unspoken Truths: American History Museum visit again soon.