GEAR UP News & Events

GEAR UP

DePaul University hosted the Exploring GEAR UP Luncheon on March 22, 2011, preceding the ICE College Fair.

Jazmin, a senior at Curie High School learns more about Illinois State University from admissions counselor, Nate Bargar. Jazmin’s going to ISU on a scholarship Fall of 2011.

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Samiyah Reed, a GEAR UP graduate of Hyde Park Academy and DePaul Univesity said that getting the foundation and exposure to different career options helped her choose a college path that worked for her.

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GEAR UP representatvies for the day included staff, students, a GEAR UP parent, teacher, and a former GEAR UP student who recently graduated from DePaul University.

GEAR UP Creating a Pipeline to College - When colleges and universities are looking to recruit, they’re learning that GEAR UP students are a good choice. On March 22, recruiters from 25 institutions gathered at DePaul University to meet members of the GEAR UP community. A panel of GEAR UP representatives talked about how GEAR UP had impacted their road to college. They all seemed to agree that college visits were high on the list of helping them to understand the importance of selecting the right college. Before GEAR UP, Keyonta, a senior at Clark, said he had thought that he would simply choose a college at the end of senior year.

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Brian Spittle, Associate Vice President, Center for Access and Attainment at DePaul University talks about the importance of tracking GEAR UP students and using data
to help students succeed.

At round table discussions, admissions officers and college advisors shared information about how they help students succeed. Grand Canyon University has Freshman Advantage, a bridge program to help students transition into college. Wright College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago is also piloting a bridge program this year.

Glenna Ousley said DePaul University uses a check-off box on their application that allows them to gather data and provide GEAR UP students with information about support programs prior to enrolling and then allows the university to track their enrollment while at DePaul.

DePaul University is taking the lead in this Chicago GEAR UP initiative that will strengthen the relationships with colleges and universities. Brian Spittle, Associate Vice President at DePaul’s Center for Access and Attainment is working with admissions officers and college counselors to help strengthen the pipeline between GEAR UP students and the post secondary institutions they attend. At one round table, admissions officers from Northeastern Illinois University, Roosevelt University and Northwestern College agreed that a next step is to identify the cohort of GEAR UP students that apply and are accepted to their institutions.

There was also time for a little one-on-one guidance counseling. Jazmin, a senior from Curie High School, who has been accepted to Illinois State University, met with their admissions officer, Nate Bargar. He provided details of life on campus, explaing that students use Wild Cards instead of cash around campus. He also explained the difference between work-study and on-campus jobs. Jazmin says the GEAR UP sponsored college trips and conversations like these are helping her feel confident she’ll succeed in college. - by Cheryl Rodgers

The Chicago GEAR UP Alliance is funded through a grant from the U. S. Department of Education.
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gear up news & events