Upward Bound Grant Prepares Students for the Future
Sacred Heart has received more than $8 million dollars for this program to date
Sacred Heart University’s Upward Bound program has received $337,000 for the upcoming academic year to continue boosting the lives of low-income high school students in Bridgeport. This grant brings the total SHU has received for the program to more than $8 million since it was established in 1989.
Upward Bound, a college preparatory program for high school students, is the longest, federally funded program on Sacred Heart’s campus. It operates on a five-year grant cycle, but these grants are not automatically renewed each year. They are based upon an annual performance report documenting the success of mandated federal objectives. If these objectives are not met, programs risk losing their funding.
Upward Bound at SHU serves a minimum of 65 students annually—equating to more than 2,000 students since the program’s inception—while also providing support services to an alumni base that exceeds 400. There are more than 900 Upward Bound programs nationwide, 98% of which are hosted by colleges and universities.
The curriculum takes place from September through mid-August and consists of high school classes, college introductory classes, STEM work, career opportunities and tutorial support. It also includes a cultural exploration component in addition to personal and career counseling. “The program is designed to generate the skills and motivation necessary to complete a rigorous program of secondary education, prepare students to be college- and career-ready and to enter and succeed in a program of postsecondary education,” said Carlyanne Rice-Ehalt, executive director of Upward Bound on Sacred Heart’s campus.
The program steers students to a variety of possible majors or career paths, such as liberal arts, psychology, sociology, theater, drama, art, mental health, marketing and communication, business and finance, government and civics, sign language, dance, computer technology, athletics, law enforcement and nursing.
Classes and related activities take place at SHU, excluding community service, college visits and partnerships, and career and cultural events. Sacred Heart students can work with the program as tutors and summer instructors. There is an academic component, as well as a non-residential, six-week summer component. During the academic year, October through June, the program hires Sacred Heart undergraduates to work with Upward Bound students one-on-one or in group sessions.
Being federally funded, Upward Bound requires students to have a defined academic need and to fall within certain socio-economic ranges provided by the Department of Education. Additionally, two-thirds of students must be low-income and first-generation college students. However, Sacred Heart strives to exceed these requirements.
Students are selected from Central, Bassick, Harding and Fairchild Wheeler schools in Bridgeport, and they are interviewed before acceptance to determine the level of interest and willingness to participate.
“I am honored to be the founding director of Upward Bound and to have been part of a program that has played such a crucial role in the development and successful futures of more than 2,000 students” said Rice-Ehalt. “I am always touched and thankful when alumni reach out to participate and give back to the program that played such a significant role in their lives. I am also grateful for the unwavering support and commitment we receive from (SHU President) Dr. Petillo and the University community, who welcome our students to share in the true Pioneer experience on campus.”
Visit the Upward Bound program webpage for additional information.