Kicking Off College Strong: GEAR UP Beyond Bridge Program Supports Incoming UW Freshmen

Dates

Week 1: September 9 – 13, 2024 (Virtual)
Week 2: September 16 – 20, 2024 (On campus)

This Summer, GEAR UP RISE UP teamed up with GEAR UP Achievers and the University of Washington’s Ethnic Cultural Center to launch an innovative bridge program for incoming GEAR UP freshman students. The program started two weeks before the start of Fall semester. This intensive program offered students a comprehensive blend of academic preparation, personal development, and community-building activities—all designed to ensure a smooth transition to college life.

Week One: Preparing for University-Level Math

The program kicked off with a virtual first week focused on math preparation. Designed to strengthen students’ skills and build confidence in rigorous university-level math. The virtual sessions covered advanced concepts, study strategies, and problem-solving techniques. UW’s Instructional Center provided hands-on support, ensuring students were equipped for their first year in university.

Week Two: Math Prep and Personal Enrichment On-Campus

The second week was at the University of Washington Seattle campus, during students’ move-in week. They continued with the math prep course in an in-person university classroom environment. Alongside the math workshops, students also worked on the personal enrichment portion of the program. They were offered a series of workshops on time management, financial literacy, goal-setting, and personal wellness. Exposing them to resources on campus where they can find support in those areas. These sessions helped students learn to balance academics with personal growth and self-care, building skills they will rely on throughout their college careers.

Student Feedback

One of the primary goals of this program was also to build GEAR UP students’ sense of community on campus. Being a first-year college student can be difficult to navigate, but with the help of everyone who took part in these efforts, we were able to give students a warm welcome to college and create an inclusive environment for them. We would like to give thanks to all our students who participated. Also, a special shoutout to the GEAR UP Achievers team, Instructional Center, ECC and everyone who took part in welcoming and preparing our students.

GEAR UP RISE UP Bridge student participants where asked, “What was their favorite part of the program?” Their top responses included:
“Being able to connect with others and learning more about resources.”
“All the information and seeing other students in the same situation.”
“I liked meeting new friends and getting to know the instructors and navigators who are willing to help me in my times of need.”
“Honestly everything. But I enjoyed the in-person workshops quite a bit.”

Stay tuned for more updates on GEAR UP RISE UP’s programs and how we’re working to make a difference in students’ lives.

UW GEAR UP Programs Celebrated National GEAR UP Week

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.

Photos – Achievers

Photos – RISE UP

2024 Eastern Washington University Summer Bridge Program

September 12-13, 2024

In September, just before classes started at Eastern Washington University, the University of Washington’s GEAR UP RISE UP team of College Navigators traveled to Cheney, WA to join students in the Eastern Washington University Summer Bridge Program.

This program allows students to move in early, make friends, meet faculty and staff, and get ready for college before classes begin. The College Navigators participated for two days and led two workshops for students in the RISE UP cohort.

On the first day, students learned how GEAR UP can support them during their first year, how to communicate with professors, and how to network using a 60-second “elevator speech.” On the second day, the College Navigators invited the EWU bookstore to give a presentation on how to order textbooks.

This program was a great opportunity for our GEAR UP RISE UP students to connect with their fellow cohort members and create a strong support system before classes begin. The rest of the Summer Bridge program was run by EWU staff. Students who completed the program gained valuable skills that will help them throughout their college years and beyond.

GEAR UP Beyond: Launching A New Era of Post-Secondary Success

What is it?

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.

GEAR UP Achievers & GEAR UP RISE UP/SKY Program Celebrate National GEAR UP Week

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.

During National GEAR UP week, we take the opportunity to become more visible to our program participants in their schools. We do outreach, special programming, but above all we make it meaningful and fun for everyone. Our students’ response is always positive and welcoming. #GEARUPWORKS

Dina IbarraDirector

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.

Dina Ibarra appointed new GEAR UP director

Dina Ibarra, Ed.M. has been appointed the new director for UW GEAR UP/Rise Up team effective Jan 3, 2023. GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a national college-readiness program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. OMA&D, in partnership with 13 rural school districts in eastern Washington and NW Washington, sponsored the GEAR UP Rise Up Partnership to strengthen students’ pathways to college and careers by utilizing and leveraging science, technology, engineering ,and mathematics (STEM).

For the last five years Dina has served as the Director for the TRIO Educational Talent Search program which serves almost 700 students across six school districts in the Yakima Valley and Skagit Valley. Dina has provided strategic direction for student educational programing, managed activities to meet goals and objectives of the program and supported the ETS team as they counsel and advise their middle and high school students. Prior to joining the University of Washington ETS program, Dina served in leadership positions with Heritage University CAMP program and Washington State University Office of Admissions. In total Dina has over twelve years of experience working with students and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to expand access to higher education. Dina has also stepped up to leadership serving as past president of the Washington TRIO Association and been an active member of the Northwest Association of Educational Opportunities Program (NAEOP).

Dina states, “I am thrilled to join the University of Washington’s GEAR UP RISE UP team to continue to impact the lives of our students, families, and communities through college readiness programs and support services. I look forward to working with our school district partners and GEAR UP school staff to fulfill GEAR UP’s vision that all students are academically, socially, and financially prepared to enter and complete a postsecondary program. “ On the personal side, Dina hails from Grandview, WA and is a two-time graduate from WSU earning an Ed.M. in Educational Leadership and her B.A. in Humanities. Dina has two children, Ezra who is 16 and Jael who is 20. Dina’s hobbies all revolve around her children, family, and close friends.

Join us in congratulating Dina and wishing her well in her new role.

UW GEAR UP Students at Mount Vernon work with WWU

WWU’s Nick Galati helps Mount Vernon students build microscope – and STEM interest – in summer college prep program.

Fans are blowing in the classroom on a hot summer day as a group of Mount Vernon High School ninth-graders are building a high-powered microscope, their focus on a small tube where a lens is stuck.

It’s the final piece of the microscope that they’re putting together at Little Mountain Elementary School under the eye of WWU Assistant Professor of Biology Nick Galati. The experience is part of a collaboration between Galati, as part of his National Science Foundation CAREER Grant, and UW GEAR UP, with a goal of creating an intensive STEM experience for this small group of Mount Vernon High School students and preparing them for college.

Read full article: https://westerntoday.wwu.edu/features/wwus-nick-galati-helps-mount-vernon-students-build-microscope-and-stem-interest-in-summer

National GEAR UP Week

Date: Week of September 26-30
Location: Nationwide

Join us and the thousands of students, parents, teachers, partners and college access professionals from across the nation to celebrate GEAR UP and the successes of our hard work and dedication.

GEAR UP West Conference

Date: October 23-25, 2022
Location: Utah Valley University, Salt Lake City, UT

GEAR UP West is an annual collaborative regional conference for college access and success practitioners primarily from the Western part of the United States. Participating states have included Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. GEAR UP programs in these states together serve more than 200,000 low-income and historically underrepresented students and their families.

GEAR UP Team Retreat

UW GEAR UP team retreat: a 2-day working/networking event in Leavenworth, Washington, for UW GEAR UP central staff, GEAR UP Site Coordinators, and GEAR UP support staff. Attendees were able to network, share best practices at sites, learn how to navigate and analyze their program data, and begin planning for the upcoming school year.

Click on photo for full size.