#DREAMSEEDO
Calling on all 9th through 12th-grade students in the Holly Springs High School District, Tate County High School District, Senatobia High School, Marshall County High School District , Potts Camp High School, H.W. Byers High School and Byhalia High School.
Rust College is a student-centered Historically Black College (HBCU) committed to the success of all students. Our mission is “to equip and inspire students for excellent service in their communities and throughout the world”. Last year, Rust College was pleased to announce the receipt of a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund the establishment of the Trio Upward Bound programs for the years 2022 through 2027.
The Trio Upward Bound programs provide additional opportunities for targeted students in high schools in their preparation, enrollment, and graduation from intuitions of post-secondary education. Through this program students will be able to access higher education, leading to financial stability for their families in their future
Upward Bound Directors and staff will contact your high school(s) to familiarize school administrators, teachers, ad counselors with the many benefits of the Trio Upward Bound program and initiate the program registration process for your students.
Rust College looks forward to a productive partnership with its area high schools as we re-establish the Rust College Trio Upward Bound program, which previously made a positive impact on the surrounding community.
Rust College Upward Program is a federally funded program whose mission is to provide equal access to quality education without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, disability, or orientation. This program is intentionally designed to empower students to take a proactive role in their education and excel far beyond their idealized potential
Overview of the Program and Services
The Upward Bound program at Rust college is housed in the Shaw Hall Building on the main campus and is a division of Student Engagement. Upward Bound prepares students (with at least two-thirds low-income and/or first-generation college-bound students) in grades 9th through 12th, for success through high school, to enter and graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree. Rust College Upward Bound Program serves the Holly Springs High School District, Tate County School District, Senatobia High School, Marshall County School District, Potts Camp High School, HW Byers High School, and Byhalia High School.
These schools were initially selected based on their free-reduced lunch program, high student drop-out rate, and poverty rate which contributes to their lower overall graduation rate and poor performance.
Components of the Upward Bound Program
- A twenty-week Saturday Component (Academic Year)
- A six-week residential component (Summer)’
Students in both components are instructed by teachers (with certification) in the core curriculum and are exposed to experiences that broaden their understanding of and appreciation for the fine arts. During the Summer, Upward Bound students are provided an environment that promotes the development of values and attitudes conducive to productive citizenship and lifelong learning in addition to offering the experiences of community living (collegiate dorms) to promote increased respect for people and property.
Participants of the program enjoy various benefits such as:
- Access to colleges and universities
- Increased knowledge, academic skills and motivation
- Cultural trips and recreational activities
- Opportunities to lead and serve
- Paid fees for standardized tests and college applications
- Financial Aid and college application workshops
- A Stipend
Upward Bound
The Upward Bound program is one of the US Department of Education’s TRIO programs which provides outreach and support to help low-income, first-generation, college, and disabled students progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs. The goal of the program is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of post-secondary education.
Upward Bound Staff Contacts:
Dr. Tony C. Whitson: Holly Springs High School District / Senatobia High School / Tate County School District
tcwhitson@rustcollege.edu
Dr. Kimberly Bracey: Marshall County School District / Potts Camp High School / H.W. Byers High School / Byhalia High School
kbracey@rustcollege.edu
Mr. Jamel Lee – Upward Bound Counselor
Email.jlee@rustcollege.edu