Mott Community College: MCC Receives Federal Grant To Continue Upward Bound Programming In Flint 

Fenton MI

09 June, 2022

3:30 PM

Description

Press release from Mott Community College: Dawn Hibbard Jun 8th, 2022 Mott Community College has been awarded funding under the Upward Bound program by the United States Department of Education to continue to offer Upward Bound programming to high school students in Flint. The grant of $437,283 is for the first budget period of June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023. It is anticipated that the grant will be renewed over a period of 5 years, for a total of $1.6 million in support for area students. "We are pleased to have been awarded Upward Bound funding again this year," said MCC President, Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea. "It is a critical component in our efforts to offer local students a pathway to academic and career success." "Mott Community College plays a critical role in providing students in Genesee County with important educational opportunities and resources that prepare them for success," said Senator Peters. "I was proud to help secure this funding that will allow MCC's Upward Bound program to continue supporting local students who want to pursue a higher education but face challenges or may not have the opportunity to do so on their own." Through early intervention, Upward Bound serves low income, and/or first generation high school students in grades nine through twelve, helping them prepare for college. Students must be planning to attend or be currently attending a Southwestern Academy, Beecher or Hamady High School. The goal is to serve 93 students each year. There are two components to the MCC Upward Bound program, including an intensive six-week academic summer program, and an after-school program during the K-12 academic year. The program incorporates several support services including counseling, university visits, workshops, tutoring, cultural enrichment activities, student leadership development, awards/recognition programs, and grant assistance. "This program has served the Flint Community Schools and Mott Middle College for more than 40 years, touching the lives of thousands of young people and their families. Our program has graduated several valedictorians, creating space for them to follow their academic and career dreams," said Glenn Martin, Ed.S., Director Upward Bound Programs at MCC. The objective is to directly address a variety of student needs and subsequently increase the retention, graduation, and post-secondary graduation rates of participants. Why is Upward Bound important for students from low-income households and first generation college students? Research suggests that participation in dual enrollment programs such as Upward Bound can lead to improved academic performance in high school, increased enrollment in college following high school, greater college credit accumulation, and higher rates of persistence in college. This press release was produced by Mott Community College. The views expressed here are the author's own.