UNLV's Upward Bound Math and Science Center and the UNLV GEAR UP program, units of the Division of Student Affairs, are kicking off summer programming that includes hosting hundreds of students on campus. 

This year's theme is "A Confident Me." Academic, social, pre-professional, and critical thinking abilities will be developed through programming and partnerships with UNLV departments. Students involved in certain programs will live in UNLV residence halls and participate in academic instruction and workshops aimed at preparing them for post-secondary education. The ultimate goal of these programs is to ensure that these students successfully enroll and complete a post-secondary degree. 

Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Keith Rogers said, “UNLV is proud of the hundreds of college graduates who have successfully participated in the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science programs since 1987, as well as our GEAR UP programs. Our commitment to provide these free opportunities to our underserved students within our community is a testament to UNLV’s partnership with Clark County School District.” 

Upward Bound

For its participants in 2023, the Upward Bound SRP program has scheduled a record number of internal and external collaborations and partnerships, including:

• UNLV College of Engineering courses
• Office of Undergraduate Research poster presentation bootcamp
• A full day of talks and practical exercises from the Las Vegas FBI chapter
• A morning at the UNLV School of Dental Medicine
• A trip to the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway for a full day of activities and workshops on animal adaptations at Mt. Charleston
• The How Money Works financial literacy component to offer students a step-by-step plan to become confident with money.
• UNLV CARES workshop and activity rotation to assist students with their mental health and self-care. 

The UB team members are also reaching out to other sectors of the mental health, self-care, fitness, and wellness community to create a special day offering students skills they can carry forward into their future.

Summer Bridge

The 2023 Summer Bridge Program has over 25 participants from Upward Bound. Some will be taking their first college class at UNLV during Summer Session II. The Bridge program is designed to assist with transitioning from high school to college. Upward Bound Bridge participants benefit from extensive math, English, communications, psychology, and fine arts tutoring. Bridge students needing additional help will participate in the UNLV ASC Math Bridge program designed to take them from Math 95 up to Math 181 for the STEM majors. 

GEAR UP

The UNLV GEAR UP program, in collaboration with the Educational Talent Search (ETS) program, will provide educational and enrichment opportunities for their participants. 

UNLV GEAR UP is kicking off the summer with the summer acceleration program for middle school students at their respective schools. Students receive tutoring, supplies, and educational enhancement items to help motivate and encourage them to stay on track. The UNLV GEAR UP and ETS staff also will host a middle-to-high school transition program for the current 8th graders at the target high schools (Chaparral, Desert Pines, and Valley). 

In June, UNLV GEAR UP and ETS teams will host a two-week residential program for 60 rising seniors. This program will be held on the UNLV campus and each participant will be afforded the opportunity to earn three college credits through a collaboration with the UNLV College of Education. Additionally, to culminate their leadership, college, and career summer experience, the participants will travel to Washington, DC, for five days of college visits and career exploration. These participants will continue practicing their leadership skills the following school year as UNLV GEAR UP Ambassadors at their respective high schools.

The final summer component will be the UNLV GEAR UP First Year Experience week for participants from the program’s three target high schools who plan to attend UNLV. This program is a collaboration between different UNLV departments and provides participants with tools, resources, and support as they prepare for UNLV’s Rebel Ready Week and for their first year as UNLV students. The goal is to acclimate participants to the UNLV campus and the many resources that are available to them. In addition, it will afford an opportunity for the UNLV GEAR UP staff to set the foundation for the ongoing communication with students to guide them through their first year of college and beyond.

UNLV GEAR UP is in nine middle schools (Brinley, Garside, Gibson, KO Knudson, Mack, Orr, Von Tobel, and West Prep) and three high schools (Chaparral, Desert Pines, and Valley) serving participants in 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th,11th, and 12th grades. The shared sites between UNLV GEAR UP and ETS programs include Garside, West Prep, Chaparral, Desert Pines and Valley.