CWC Celebrates National GEAR UP week

This week commemorates the continuing success of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, a college access program that provides students and families the support and resources needed for college success. 

Since its inception in 1999, nation-wide, GEAR UP has improved educational outcomes for millions of program participants. Many states across the nation have state or partnership programs. The parameters vary by grant however, the overall goal is to get students graduated and prepared academically and financially for college. 

“GEAR UP Wyoming is a state program that serves more than two thousand Wyoming seventh graders through college freshman students each year,” said Tami Shultz, CWC GEAR UP Wyoming program manager.

The University of Wyoming administers the grant and the seven Wyoming community colleges partner with UW to provide GEAR UP services to students and their families. Program services include tutoring, academic advising, college entrance test preparation and college visits. Information is provided to students and parents on college access processes, as well as assistance in applying for college, scholarships and federal grant programs. In addition, students have opportunities to attend a free summer program every year, which include visits to college campuses giving students a chance see what a college campus is like.

It is exciting for me to see students attending Central Wyoming College who were just kids when they started the GEAR UP program in 7th grade. Watching these students reach their dream of going to college is what GEAR UP is all about! ”

Tami Shultz, CWC GEAR UP WY Project Director

Summer Academies provide experiences in science, history and math in the real world, as well as the careers associated with these areas of study, Shultz said.      

What Central Wyoming College participants have to say about GEAR UP:

Students who attended the 2016 CWC GEAR UP College Matters Camp in June answered the following questions: 

What was the most important thing you learned from this camp?

• How I can prepare for paying for college. • Do not choose a college because other people want you to go there. • How important it is to make wise money choices. • Learning about the transition from high school to college. • That college is actually attainable for me. • How to get accepted for financial aid.
• The information presented was really effective. • I loved learning about new available majors and potential scholarships. • Everything! Every part was fun and beneficial to me and my well-being. • Learning all of the financial aid requirements and other information. • Learning about all of the different college options. • I like learning about how to achieve scholarships in the right way. • I met new people and learned a lot of new information.

College freshmen students were asked, “What is something you want to share about the GEAR UP program?”

“There are a lot of great opportunities to learn about college and what resources are available to you.”

“GEAR UP has gotten me more involved in my school and community.  It has taught me how to maintain my academics in college, while teaching me leadership skills.  I have made lots of connections and friendships through GEAR UP that have been very beneficial and enjoyable.  Overall GEAR UP is a very educational and extremely fun organization.”

“GEAR UP is truly amazing and everyone here in the GEAR UP community is super nice.  They are always helpful and they are like a big family.”

“GEAR UP has been incredibly helpful to me in my college experience.  It has helped me financially and academically.  Apart from that the GEAR UP Club has introduced me to some great people and allowed me to participate in some really fun events.”

To learn more about the Central Wyoming College GEAR UP WY program contact Tami Shultz, CWC GEAR UP WY Project Director at 307-855-2033. You can find us on the Central Wyoming College website at:  www.cwc.edu/gearup/  or “like us” on Facebook at CWC GEAR UP Wyoming.  

#OneInAMillion #GEARUPWorks #IheartGEARUP