NCCEP 2019 Family Leader of the Year
If you're a parent looking for advice on how to prepare your child for college, your likely to run across Alma Vargas, a GEAR UP Parent Advocate who has presented workshops, counseled families on college readiness, and even starred in a GEAR UP College Prep Telenovela. She's the recipient of this year's NCCEP Family Leader of the Year, and Chicago GEAR UP couldn't be more proud of her. Congratulations Alma! Watch.
Celebrating GEAR UP Alum - Maritza Perez, GEAR UP Class of 2012
Celebrating GEAR UP Alum - Balssam Halhas, GEAR UP Class of 2012
Transition Centers
(STEAM)² Conference 2019
College Mentor on Talking to Your Professor
Setting up an appointment with your professor in college can be intimidating at first admits College Mentor, Katlin.
But she says, "If you have a situation, talk to your professor."
But she says, "If you have a situation, talk to your professor."
Ready for College?
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GEAR UP Support for College Students
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SAT Mastery Prep
Succeeding with Plan B
What happens when your dream college choice isn’t possible?
Two students explain honestly why the thought of attending a community college was disappointing, how they’re making it work for them, and why they’re now mentoring and modeling it as a Success Strategy for other students.
Two students explain honestly why the thought of attending a community college was disappointing, how they’re making it work for them, and why they’re now mentoring and modeling it as a Success Strategy for other students.
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What happens when your dream college choice isn’t possible?
Two students explain honestly why the thought of attending a community college was disappointing, how they’re making it work for them, and why they’re now mentoring and modeling it as a Success Strategy for other students.
Find out how it’s still possible to reach your goals and turn your dream into a reality.
Ayelen is smart but didn’t get good enough grades in high school to be admitted directly into her dream school. After talking with Gaby her GEAR UP mentor, she was willing to give Harold Washington College a chance. At first reluctant, she now realizes she’s tapped into a hidden gem. Though her grades were poor, she tested college ready and so qualified for the Chicago Star Scholarship. Her first two years of college are being paid for entirely, tuition, books, transportation. When she graduates with her associates degree, she will have support transferring to a four-year college of her choice. Chances are that because of her success at Harold Washington, she’ll qualify for one of the partnership scholarships that City Colleges of Chicago has with several major universities in Illinois. She’ll come out with a college degree and little or no college debt.
Jocelyn started out at the college of her choice, but soon found herself in distress. The transition to college was more challenging than she had counted on, and she was struggling to keep up. Not wanting to give up on her dream of a college degree, she talked to Daisy, her GEAR UP college mentor who suggested one of the City Colleges of Chicago. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to go Harold Washington but trusted her advisor. Jocelyn now realizes it was just what she needed in order to succeed. It’s been a great college experience. She’s working towards transferring back to her first choice, but in the meantime, she’s saving money and earning college credit. She plans to study psychology and become a social worker.
Both students wish other students knew about all of the resources available to them at a community college. Both plan to finish their degrees at a four-year university and have what they like to call the true-college-experience. For now, they’re laying their future for not only their dream college but their dream job.
Two students explain honestly why the thought of attending a community college was disappointing, how they’re making it work for them, and why they’re now mentoring and modeling it as a Success Strategy for other students.
Find out how it’s still possible to reach your goals and turn your dream into a reality.
Ayelen is smart but didn’t get good enough grades in high school to be admitted directly into her dream school. After talking with Gaby her GEAR UP mentor, she was willing to give Harold Washington College a chance. At first reluctant, she now realizes she’s tapped into a hidden gem. Though her grades were poor, she tested college ready and so qualified for the Chicago Star Scholarship. Her first two years of college are being paid for entirely, tuition, books, transportation. When she graduates with her associates degree, she will have support transferring to a four-year college of her choice. Chances are that because of her success at Harold Washington, she’ll qualify for one of the partnership scholarships that City Colleges of Chicago has with several major universities in Illinois. She’ll come out with a college degree and little or no college debt.
Jocelyn started out at the college of her choice, but soon found herself in distress. The transition to college was more challenging than she had counted on, and she was struggling to keep up. Not wanting to give up on her dream of a college degree, she talked to Daisy, her GEAR UP college mentor who suggested one of the City Colleges of Chicago. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to go Harold Washington but trusted her advisor. Jocelyn now realizes it was just what she needed in order to succeed. It’s been a great college experience. She’s working towards transferring back to her first choice, but in the meantime, she’s saving money and earning college credit. She plans to study psychology and become a social worker.
Both students wish other students knew about all of the resources available to them at a community college. Both plan to finish their degrees at a four-year university and have what they like to call the true-college-experience. For now, they’re laying their future for not only their dream college but their dream job.
GEARing UP for College: Parent Edition
In an effort that demonstrated how truly powerful collaborations are, Amundsen High School counselors, teachers and administration worked with GEAR UP to create an all-day mini-conference for parents on college-readiness. Parents were able to select from nine workshops offered throughout the day.
Summer Programs
Finding the right summer program can feel as challenging as finding the best college match. With a dazzling array of programs, the possibilities are staggering and students can end up feeling overwhelmed by the choices. That’s where the Senn Summer EXPO comes in. It’s an annual event where students meet with representatives from several of the summer programs.
Summer Program Information
Check out photos of the Senn Summer EXPO.
Summer Program Information
Check out photos of the Senn Summer EXPO.
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Students come prepared to explore the possibilities armed with questions they’ve learned to ask at a pre-EXPO workshop.
At Senn High School, Mayra Leva, Chicago GEAR UP College Coordinator has been planning Summer EXPOs since 2013. The 2019 EXPO boasted over thirty representatives from colleges and universities, museums, targeted programs such as Chicago Scholars and healthcare career programs like Discovering Healthcare Careers through Lurie Children’s Hospital.
With this kind of support, students are well situated to have a fantastic summer of learning and fun.
- What does the program offer?
- What are the program dates and times?
- Is there a cost?
- What are the qualifications for students?
- What are the application deadlines?
- At pre-EXPO workshops, these are the questions students
At Senn High School, Mayra Leva, Chicago GEAR UP College Coordinator has been planning Summer EXPOs since 2013. The 2019 EXPO boasted over thirty representatives from colleges and universities, museums, targeted programs such as Chicago Scholars and healthcare career programs like Discovering Healthcare Careers through Lurie Children’s Hospital.
With this kind of support, students are well situated to have a fantastic summer of learning and fun.
USHLI Inspires Students
STEM Squad in the News
What makes students believe that they can master science? What makes them think that they might want to pursue a career in STEM? How about programming a T I Innovator Rover to drive through a maze? Chicago GEAR UP students are doing just that thanks to a partnership between the Center for College Access and Success (CCAS) and Texas Instruments’ STEM Squad Program.
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Dr. Wendy Stack welcomed the STEM Squad to Northeastern Illinois University where a group of Chicago GEAR UP high school students were invited for the day to participate in the event.
The STEM Squad is “helping teenagers realize that coding is possible. Coding is not as hard as they think it is. Coding is fun,” says Syreeta Brown, the Director of Science at CCAS. With the right support students learn to persist through some tough challenges.
Alex one of the students who attended explains: “Every time [the car] would go through the course, I learned more and more information, and I learned how to overcome those different obstacles.”
“It’s opportunities like these that we can offer at Northeastern Illinois University that allow students to see for themselves that they can succeed in college,” says Dr. Stack, Associate Vice President of Access, Innovation and Research at NEIU.
It’s programs like these that allow students to see for themselves that they can succeed in college.
The STEM Squad is “helping teenagers realize that coding is possible. Coding is not as hard as they think it is. Coding is fun,” says Syreeta Brown, the Director of Science at CCAS. With the right support students learn to persist through some tough challenges.
Alex one of the students who attended explains: “Every time [the car] would go through the course, I learned more and more information, and I learned how to overcome those different obstacles.”
“It’s opportunities like these that we can offer at Northeastern Illinois University that allow students to see for themselves that they can succeed in college,” says Dr. Stack, Associate Vice President of Access, Innovation and Research at NEIU.
It’s programs like these that allow students to see for themselves that they can succeed in college.
STEM Squad in the News
After a Gap Year
College Team Support for Parents
Parent Challenges with their College Freshmen - Read More
Adjusting to college can be quite a challenge …for parents. That’s right, not only do students have to learn all of the ins and outs of being in college, parents have to learn the new rules. Some of the trickiest and perhaps most confusing adjustments are that parents no longer have access to their child’s records. Because of FERPA, parents can’t check grades, enrollment or anything else without their child’s permission. On the other hand, until their child is 24 years old, they do need to fill out the FAFSA form each year their child is in school. Parents aren’t sure how much they should be involved in their child’s education. Lilibeth Vazques, a Chicago GEAR UP Parent College Mentor says some parents think that they are finished being involved, others want to be more engaged but don’t understand the FERPA guidelines. Lilibeth helps them understand the complex system to work out what’s best for each family.
Staff Development
SAT Mastery Prep
SAT Preparation for Teachers
Keeping College Real
What are the stumbling blocks for college freshmen? What are the big and small obstacles that block a successful path for their first year? Chicago GEAR UP staff work with students to find out and help them learn how to tackle those barriers.
Working with GEAR UP Tutors
Through Chicago GEAR UP, college students provide tutoring. High school students feel comfortable working w these near-peers. Besides academics, students can ask questions about college. It's a model that works explains @ForemanHS Principal Wayne Issa.