The mission of University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Upward Bound Program is to provide 114 eligible students the skills and motivation to enroll in and successfully complete postsecondary education. Special concern will be given in enrolling and serving higher risk academic students.
The target area is comprised of Three counties (Somerset & Wicomico) with a total population of 179,678. Nearly half of the families in this area have incomes below 150% of the poverty level and 76% of adults do not have a baccalaureate degree.
The project will serve six high schools in the Somerset (Crisfield and Washington High) , Wicomico (Bennet , Parkside, and Wicomico High) and Worcester County (Pocomoke High) areas. Nearly two-thirds of the students in these schools are low-income and first generation students. All schools have a high dropout rate, low post-secondary enrollment rates and high student-to-counselor ratios, limiting the services provided to students.
The project has established five objectives that will help us to identify, select, assess and serve our students. The project consists of an academic year program with emphasis on after-school and Saturday tutoring, counseling and advising, and a six week summer program encompassing a strong academic curriculum. Students will also be provided with a broad range of cultural, career-building and developmental activities, which are built around an academic core and which enhance motivation for choosing post-secondary education.
A strong technology component has been developed which offers introductory through advanced classes as well as incorporating technology throughout all academic and developmental classes. Using the unusual location of the program in a geographical area surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and thousands of acres of marsh and rivers we have designed a field-science component to enhance our classroom teaching in science, math, writing, student research skills and personal development classes. We will also work cooperatively with several programs which have designed outdoor education components to enhance our classroom science curriculum (Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Coastal Bays, etc.)
We will also take advantage of the many specialized pre-college programs hosted by UMES to enroll advanced students in what are considered “honors” programs: the Earth Mapping Laboratory Program (NOAA), the Center for Math, Science and Technology (NASA), the Agriculture Research Apprenticeship Program (USDA), Geospatial Information Program (USDA) among others.
UMES is one of the Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU’s) and a 1890’s Land-Grant institution. An important part of its mission and history gives high priority to serve disadvantaged populations. It has operated this project for 53 years and is strongly committed to supporting the Upward Bound project and the students it serves.
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