ESU’s Project Upward Bound Will Go Virtual During its 46th Year

ESU Logo

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on September 1, 2020, No Comments

Upward Bound, a pre-college, academic support program that prepares high school students in grades nine – 12 to become successful college students, is gearing up for another great year – virtually – at East Stroudsburg University campus this fall. Upward Bound was founded through the Educational Opportunity Act of 1964 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty initiatives. East Stroudsburg University has been a host to Project Upward Bound since 1974. This year, the program will continue virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020-2021 Project Upward Bound will begin on Saturday, September 5, and will run every other Saturday through December 5. The program will engage 100 students from Pike, Monroe, and Lehigh Counties in courses including mathematics, English, SAT prep, financial education, college preparations, and career exploration.

“ESU has always been proud to host Project Upward Bound, and we are thrilled to be able to continue this program during these unprecedented times,” said Joanne Z. Bruno, J.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs. “It is so important reinforce high school students to believe in their own abilities. We are introducing them to academic, social and cultural activities that will prepare them to be successful in college.”

Since the students are not able to meet face to face on ESU’s campus this year, they will use online platforms such as Zoom and Google Classroom to participate in programing. Faculty will meet with students live on Saturdays in Zoom meeting rooms and assign additional academic work via Google Classroom. Students will also have access to free online tutoring through tutor.com, and investigate careers online via Virtual Job Shadowing.

In addition to online classes, students will attend special speaker webinars, financial aid workshops, and engage in fun activities such as online cake decorating contests, academic competitions, and movie watch parties.

To learn more about ESU’s project Upward Bound please visit esu.edu/upward_bound.