By Steve Nakata, WSU Administrative Services
PULLMAN, Wash. – WSU will receive $9 million over five years to continue providing five existing Upward Bound programs and establish two new ones, the U.S. Department of Education has announced.
WSU’s Upward Bound programs serve high school students in Okanogan County, Columbia Basin, Yakima Valley, Central Washington and Spokane County in Eastern Washington. This fall, programs will launch in Vancouver and Bremerton.
“These grants will support WSU’s work to help low-income and first-generation college students enroll and graduate from college and climb the ladder of opportunity,” said Sen. Patty Murray, who praised WSU’s commitment to mentoring and supporting high school students across Washington.
“Receiving this level of support from the U.S. Department of Education is validation that WSU is a place that’s very supportive of students, including low-income and first-generation students,” said Lucila Loera, assistant vice president for the Division of Student Affairs.
Half-century in the making
Upward Bound was established 53 years ago by the U.S. Congress under President Johnson’s Administration and is funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1964. The purpose of the Upward Bound program is to “increase enrollment rates in higher education by providing comprehensive college preparation assistance for students that are from low-income backgrounds and potentially first generation college students.”
Students receive tutoring, assistance with college and financial aid applications, SAT/ACT test preparation, and a summer program where they stay in a college dormitory, take classes to increase their academic skills and visit college campuses at no cost to students. More than 62,000 high school students around the country receive services through Upward Bound.
Great need in Washington state
In response to low college participation rates in many areas of Washington, WSU established its first three Upward Bound programs in 2004, serving schools in Okanogan, Yakima, Stevens and Ferry counties. A fourth program was added in the Columbia Basin in 2008 and a fifth in Northern Okanogan County in 2012. WSU’s Office of the Provost received funding to create two new programs serving Clark, Kitsap, and Spokane Counties.
The program in Yakima County works with students in some of the state’s most impoverished communities. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 72-percent of families living in the White Swan area and nearly 37-percent in the Yakima Valley are considered low-income families.
Poverty is pervasive where the seasonal agricultural industry contributes to low family wages. Many studies show it to be a predictor of low educational achievement leading to low grades, school dropouts and students not attending postsecondary education.
Life-changing experience
As a student in Tonasket, Wash., a town of about 1,000 people near the Canadian border, Jessica Puente Arroyo had thoughts of going to college, but didn’t think it was possible due to the cost of attending. Just prior to her senior year, WSU established an Upward Bound program in her school and she was invited to participate.
“It made a huge difference in my life,” she said. “Until then I didn’t have anyone in my family who could help me apply for financial aid and tell me about all the opportunities available at college.”
With guidance from Upward Bound staff, Arroyo secured scholarships to attend WSU in Pullman, where she discovered her passion for science research. She majors in microbiology and Spanish, and is a Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program Scholar. Now in her fourth year, she interns in a USDA genetics lab and plans to attend graduate school, after she graduates in May 2018.
Arroyo said the Upward Bound program not only had a profound impact on her, but on many others who participated with her. She keeps in contact with friends who enrolled at WSU, the University of Washington, Eastern Washington University, and as far away as Arizona.
Expanding WSU’s reach
Michael Highfill, director of Student Success Initiatives in the WSU’s Provost Office, believes there are many more students in the state that can benefit from Upward Bound, but don’t have access to a program. In applying for funding to establish new programs to serve Spokane, Chelan, Clark and Kitsap Counties, he looked for gaps where students are still falling through the cracks.
“We chose schools that were sending the highest proportion of low-income and first-generation students to WSU Pullman, but don’t have access to Upward Bound or other TRIO programs,” he said.
He said the new programs will have a strong summer bridge component, meaning once accepted to college, students will receive help building networks of support, developing a sense of belongingness and learning skills that will help ensure long-term success.
“WSU is committed to more than providing access,” Highfill said. “We’re also working to support students in achieving their goals of college graduation — of engaging in a truly transformational experience.”
Figures released by the U.S. Department of Education indicate 85 percent of Upward Bound students who graduate from high school enroll in college the following fall.
WSU Upward Bound overview
Yakima County
Students in program: 63 annually
Schools served: Eisenhower and White Swan High Schools
Award: $270,375 annually for five years
Ferry/Stevens Counties
Students in program: 50 annually
Schools served: Columbia, Mary Walker and Wellpinit High Schools
Award: $257,500 annually for five years
Okanogan County Central
Students in program: 52 annually
Schools served: Omak and Okanogan High Schools
Award: $257,500 annually for five years
Okanogan County North
Students in program: 60 annually
Schools served: Tonasket and Oroville High Schools
Award: $257,500 annually for five years
Columbia Basin
Students in program: 63 annually
Schools served: Moses Lake and Warden High Schools
Award: $270,375 annually for five years
Spokane and Chelan Counties
Students in program: 60 annually
Schools served: Rodgers, University, and Wenatchee High Schools
Award: $257,500 annually for five years
Clark and Kitsap Counties
Students in program: 60 annually
Schools served: Hudson Bay and Bremerton High Schools
Award: $257,500 annually for five years
Media Contacts:
- Lucila Loera, Assistant Vice President, Office for Access, Equity & Achievement, 509-335-7944, lucila@wsu.edu.
- Michael Highfill, Director, Student Success Initiatives, WSU Provost’s Office, 509-335-9851, michael.highfill@wsu.edu.
- Steve Nakata, Marketing & Communications, Administrative Services, 509-335-1774, nakata@wsu.edu.