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Upward Bound
Upward Bound is one of seven TRIO Programs funded by the Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs are designed to assist low-income people overcome class, social, academic and cultural barriers.

MSOE's federally funded Upward Bound program has been helping low-income high school students successfully complete high school and enter institutions of higher education for more than 20 years.

Services Provided:

  • One-on-one tutoring in high school subjects
  • ACT preparation classes
  • Six-week summer residential program
  • Academic advising and course selection, career and personal counseling, completion of college processes (application, financial aid, scholarships)
  • Parent workshops
  • Recreational activities (movies, skating, museums)
  • College visits and college process workshops
  • Visits to local businesses/industries
All services are free to eligible participants.

Benefits:

MSOE Upward Bound students enjoy a Brewer's game.
MSOE Upward Bound students enjoy a Brewer's game.
The following are potential benefits for students:
  • Money for attending Upward Bound activities and for achievement in semester grades
  • Increased college potential
  • Improvement of high school grades
  • Higher scores on standardized tests
  • Understanding of college processes (application, financial aid, scholarship search, etc.)
  • Development of social skills, self-esteem and self-confidence
  • High school credit (one credit per calendar year)
  • Achievement awards during year-end banquet

Academic Year Component

Students attend two hours of tutoring September to May at their high school. Tutoring is offered from 2:40-6 p.m. on the following days and locations:
    Upward Bound students complete a Chemisty Lab.
    Upward Bound students complete a Chemisty Lab.
  • Tuesdays - Washington High School
  • Wednesdays - South Division and Pulaski High Schools
  • Thursdays - King High School
Students also attend ACT preparation classes, Monday nights from 4-6 p.m., on MSOE's campus throughout the year. ACT preparation classes cover math, science, reading and English. Juniors and seniors attend workshops regarding the college process. Parent workshops are offered one Saturday a month throughout the academic year. Examples of parent Workshops are "How to Buy a Home," "Communication with Your Teen," "Investing" and "How to Use the Internet."

Summer Component

Students paint pottery during the summer component of the Upward Bound Program.
Students paint pottery during the summer component of the Upward Bound Program.
Students stay in the MSOE residence halls, Sunday night through Friday, for six weeks beginning in June. Students attend ACT preparation classes (math, laboratory science, English, reading) as well as Latin, engineering and technical courses. Students participate in recreational activities/field trips and visits to local businesses, points of interest and other college campuses.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must have completed eighth grade, not entered 12th grade and be enrolled at Washington, South Division, Pulaski or Rufus King High School.
  • Must be low-income as defined by the Federal government (based on taxable income).
  • Must be first-generation (neither parent or guardian has earned a four-year college degree).
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, legal resident or show proof of being in the process of obtaining residency.
  • Must be college bound.
  • Must be academically sound (at least a 2.00 GPA depending on grade level).
  • Must have a positive attitude and be able to make the commitment to continue with the program through high school graduation.
Interested students need to complete the Upward Bound application. Students can ask their high school guidance counselor for an application or contact our office to have one sent. Upward Bound staff will review the application, transcripts and teacher/counselor recommendations in order to determine eligibility. Personal interviews and pre-testing are then scheduled at MSOE.

Expectations of Participants

  • Attend two hours per week of tutoring during the academic year
  • Attend ACT classes on the MSOE campus on Monday nights during the academic year
  • Attend the 6-week residential summer program
  • Remain academically sound
  • Attend senior workshops

Expectations of Parents

  • Attend all parent/student orientations
  • Attend two parent workshops offered throughout the academic year
  • Attend the summer Recognition Banquet

Upward Bound Staff

Dr. Donald Ashby, Director of TRIO Programs
phone: (414) 277-7261
e-mail
Trace Matabele, Instructional Coordinator
phone:(414) 277-7594
e-mail
Emily Todd, Counseling Coordinator
phone: (414) 277-7262
e-mail
Liz Waterfall, Administrative Coordinator-TRIO
phone: (414) 277-7260
e-mail: waterfal@msoe.edu
Maria Jauregui, Administrative Secretary-TRIO
phone: (414) 277-7264
e-mail: jauregui@msoe.edu

Graduate Information

For more than 20 years, MSOE's Upward Bound program has placed more than 500 graduates into post-secondary education. The following are some of the colleges and universities that graduates have entered:
  • Alcorn State University
  • Alverno College
  • Carroll College
  • Carthage College
  • DeVry Institute
  • Grambling State University
  • Howard University
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Marquette University
  • MATC
  • Michigan State
  • MSOE
  • Mount Mary College
  • North Carolina A&T
  • Ripon College
  • Rust College
  • Tennessee State
  • University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff
  • University of Kentucky
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Wisconsin System
  • Wilberforce