“Upward Bound is the oldest program in the state of West Virginia. It’s been continuously funded since 1965, and is one of the oldest programs in the entire country. So, we’re very proud of the fact that we’ve been able to serve students for over 50 years. We take pride in the fact that especially in the state of West Virginia, we have the oldest program, but also one of the oldest in the country,” said Scott Robertson, Director of Upward Bound.
The goal of Upward Bound is to get the students used to the college experience and know it’s accessible for everyone. It is a college access program for high schoolers who are first-generation, low-income students. The program is offered in all schools in Fayette and Raleigh County and students are paid for the program’s duration.
“Upward Bound is a college access program. It’s geared towards first generation students, low-income students. And it’s a program to help familiarize them with the college experience, help them access it, we talk a lot about impostor syndrome, meaning, if college is not part of your family culture growing up, it can be a very foreign thing. And a lot of Upward Bound is trying to make college a little more familiar. So, it’s less of a shock. And, let students know that they can do college and college is accessible for everyone,” said Ike Mootz, College Access Coach at Upward Bound.
The program is split into two parts the school year and the summer program. During the school year once a month there is a monthly meeting where they broaden horizons about college and learn new information.
“During the academic year, we do counseling, both academic and personal. We have meetups between all the students in upper bound for you guys to fellowship and learn new information, we also offer tutoring to help you guys get over the hump. In some of those classes, everybody is gonna struggle with something, so we had to find a way to get you guys there,” said Mootz.
“Every month there’s a meeting that you go to, and it helps you talk about colleges and learn more about different colleges in the area and can help you get into those colleges,” said Ben Neal, a student at Upward Bound.
The summer program is a six-week immersive experience where students live at WVU Tech during the week and live a mock college life. During their stay they learn more about colleges and broaden their horizons.
“You go and stay at the WVU Tech campus in Beckley. And you take four core classes, and three elective classes. If you pass the classes, you get to go on the end of the year trip. Last year for Upward Bound, we went to Nashville. And, throughout the summer, you also go on little trips to different places and do cool stuff,” said Neal.
“The Summer Program is a six-week immersive experience where students live on campus live a mock college life while talking about college experience to familiarize them with college campus college schedules, social life, living in a dorm with other students, and just give them some life skills. And then also take them around, get some cultural experience too. And just broaden horizons,” said Mootz.
“Upward Bound does a lot and what students take advantage of, it’s very individual. So, if you want to be super involved in it, you come to the monthly meetings, you participate in the Summer Program, you go on the trips, but you also take part in the classes. So, if you really buy in, you’re going to be better prepared. And that’s why we not necessarily hound, but we really encourage students to come to this summer program, because that can really change your entire plan. Sometimes students you’re like, oh, I get paid to be in the program.
“But we also pay you in experiences for some students traveling like the summer to Nashville, that was their first big trip away from home, especially because of COVID people didn’t travel. And now we’re trying to make sure you all are better prepared for college, but in the post-COVID world, because a lot of student peers don’t have this kind of access or support. And then they go into college not as prepared and are more likely to fail out. Whereas Upward Bound students have access to folks who’ve gone to college, have worked in the program, and know people all over West Virginia, that if there’s an issue we can reach out to. So, a lot of it is just connecting all the resources, helping you get prepared for the next year and to grow,’ said Robertson.
“I would tell freshmen, that if they’re thinking of joining the program, to fill out the application, go through the process, and spend one summer with us. Because if you spend one summer, you’re gonna have a different view of your education and what you’re capable of,” said Robertson.
