For Jessean Patterson, the sky is the limit but first comes high school. The rising ninth grade student from Brundidge, Alabama is a GEAR UP Achieve scholar at Pike County High School and his resume is already bursting at the seams.
The GEAR UP Achieve summer camp at Auburn provides rising high school students from across Alabama with an immersive experience into college life, focusing on academic enrichment and social development.
With the close of the 2024-25 academic year, the 6,500 students enrolled in GEAR UP Achieve's federally funded program designed to improve students’ academic and career outcomes are leaving middle school behind and preparing to kick off the next step in their academic journeys.
Through a partnership with SHORT the Squirrel and Conecuh County Schools, GEAR UP Achieve brought eighth grade students and first grade students together to promote early literacy and career awareness.
From rural poverty to ensuring education opportunities for Alabama students, Jason Bryant is grounded in making a difference for students the way his teachers made a difference for him.
GEAR UP Achieve, a federally funded initiative led by Auburn University that serves nearly 7,000 current eighth grade students across Alabama, seeks to expand its umbrella of services through new educational partnerships geared toward students and families, educators and the wider community.
GEAR UP Achieve school liaisons recently met with Alabama Department of Education career coaches to brainstorm how best to serve students throughout the state so they are prepared for life beyond high school graduation.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation on Sept. 19, declaring National GEAR UP Week in the State of Alabama for the week of Sept. 23-27.
More than 40 rising 8th graders participated in GEAR UP Achieve's inaugural Summer Academy. Offered at Auburn University and in locations in Birmingham and northeast Alabama, the 2024 GEAR UP Achieve Summer Academy emphasized academic enrichment, college planning and career exploration.
Auburn's impact and presence in Huntsville was on full display for the April meeting of the university's Board of Trustees.
