Upward Bound celebrates 60 Years at Morehead State
More than 300 students from across eastern Kentucky will spend part of their summer preparing for college through Morehead State University's Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science programs.
The programs serve 334 students from 20 high schools across 18 counties and combine academic instruction, leadership development and college readiness activities designed to help students achieve their educational goals.
This year's program carries special significance as Upward Bound celebrates their 60th summer at Morehead State.
"This summer is especially meaningful because Upward Bound is celebrating 60 years at Morehead State University," said Amanda Lewis (Class of 2001, 2003), director of Upward Bound. "For six decades, the program has helped underserved students from eastern Kentucky prepare for higher education, and we are proud to continue that legacy by supporting the next generation of college students."
The six-week summer component begins with one week of online instruction, followed by four weeks of residential programming. During their time at Morehead State, participants take academic classes, receive tutoring, engage in leadership development activities, and participate in supervised recreation. The summer concludes with an educational travel experience that exposes students to colleges, careers and cultural opportunities beyond the region.
Recent high school graduates participating in the Summer Bridge component will also live on campus while enrolling in college coursework. The program is designed to help students transition from high school to college by providing academic support and an early introduction to college expectations.
"We are excited to welcome students back to campus," said Lewis. "The summer residential experience is often the highlight of the year because it gives students an opportunity to experience college life firsthand while building academic skills, confidence, and connections with peers from across the region."
Lewis said enrollment remains strong as the program continues to serve students throughout eastern Kentucky.
"The program continues to serve as a full cohort of students from throughout eastern Kentucky, reflecting the ongoing demand for college access and academic support services in the region," she said. "We continue to see strong interest from students who are preparing for college and looking for opportunities to strengthen their academic and leadership skills."
In addition to traditional academic and college readiness programming, students will participate in enrichment activities focused on personal growth, leadership development and career exploration. Upward Bound Math and Science students will have opportunities to engage in STEM-focused experiences, including a soap box derby and an aerodynamics fair.
"As always, one of the most anticipated parts of the summer will be the educational travel experiences and college visits, which exposes students to new places, institutions, and career pathways they may not otherwise have the opportunity to explore," Lewis said.
For more information, contact Upward Bound at upwardbound@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-9300.
