$2.8 million awarded to Adams State Upward Bound (06-06-2007)
Adams State College's Upward Bound program will receive $2.8 million over the next six years to help first generation and low-income high school students prepare for college.
Adams State Upward Bound Director Mike Garcia said the program's success is largely due to support from the San Luis Valley community and Adams State College. In fact, according to Garcia, ninety-five percent of the students in the Adams State Upward Bound program go on to college.
"If the students wouldn't succeed and go to college at such high rates, Upward Bound would not be in existence," he said. Garcia has headed the program for 31 years.
Adams State's program is funded for six years, rather than the standard four, due to earning a perfect score on its current and previous grant proposals from the Department of Education.
One of the three proposal reviewers commented, "The applicant provides a detailed description which reflects an understanding of unaddressed academic, social, and economic challenges faced by first generation potential college students. The applicant presents several academic year and summer residential activities which will help participants overcome obstacles and barriers."
Garcia said Upward Bound is one of the most scrutinized programs under the Department of Education, thus his entire staff contributed to the grant.
"This year was the most competitive and the scoring was the toughest ever," Garcia said. "There were programs across the nation that had been in existence for over thirty years that lost funding."
Because Upward Bound is publicly funded, Garcia said political support has been crucial in citing the program's importance in the San Luis Valley.
"Senator Salazar, Representative Salazar, and Rafael Gallegos have all been instrumental in lobbying in Congress to make sure the funds are available for the program," Garcia said.
From June 4 through July 6 Upward Bound continues to offer its summer residence program. High school students are invited to live on the Adams State College campus, attend classes, and participate in evening and weekend activities.
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By Amanda Morris
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