NDSU’s Upward Bound and Veterans Upward Bound STEM program was cited as an example of success by the keynote speaker at the 31st annual policy seminar for the Council of Opportunity in Education in Washington, D.C., in March.
The speaker, Eduardo M. Ochoa, assistant secretary of post-secondary education, noted that the Department of Education was aware of the effectiveness of TRIO programs, and the hard work that is done on behalf of the nation’s low-income and first-generation students. He then described NDSU as an example of a TRIO success story.
“At North Dakota State University, Upward Bound and Veterans Upward Bound programs have collaborated to form a Summer STEM Program, providing rich science, technology, engineering and math experiences for all participants,” Ochoa said. “The project directors of those programs noted that the collaboration could not take place without the lab space and equipment that was provided by the NDSU faculty in the biology and chemistry departments and the overwhelming support received from others on campus. It is a story of various parts of the community coming together for the success of students in need.”
Ochoa also mentioned successful programs at other universities. The University of South Carolina Upward Bound Summer Program provides graduating seniors an opportunity to take college credit research methodology courses. Seniors also can participate in a work study program to expose them to various career fields.
At Wichita State University, after school homework assistance is available through Talent Search, Upward Bound and GEAR UP programs. In addition, parents are encouraged to contribute to their students’ success by having their own access to computers, the program’s resource library and career information.
In addition, Daniel Hernandez, a graduate of Pima Community College’s Upward Bound project, was praised for his actions at the scene of the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona. Hernandez also was applauded by President Obama and was invited to watch the State of the Union address in the House gallery, seated next to the First Lady, Michelle Obama.