Dec 02, 2011 - Claremont, Calif. - Harvey Mudd College’s Upward Bound program surpassed its goals for the 2010-2011 academic year, helping even more area high school students successfully transition to college.

The federally funded program helps low-income and potential first-generation college students improve their chances of getting into and graduating from a post-secondary institution. 

Ninety-eight percent of the high school seniors who participated in the program last year are enrolled in college today, with the majority attending a four-year institution. The figure exceeded the program’s 90 percent goal and represents a six percent rise from the previous year’s total.

“This is something we can all be proud of,” said Angie Covarrubias Aguilar, HMC Upward Bound Program Director. “We had a number of faculty, staff and HMC students who volunteered their time and expertise, and our list of those who have expressed a desire to contribute continues to grow.”

Drawn from schools in the East San Gabriel Valley, Upward Bound scholars attend a six-week summer program at HMC that incorporates an intensive math, chemistry and literature curriculum with academic enrichment activities such as computer science, dance, foreign language, SAT test preparation, study hall and group recreation. They also receive help throughout the school year from HMC student tutors and staff through weekly study halls at their high schools and three Saturday programs per month at Harvey Mudd College.

HMC staff work closely with the scholars, their parents and their school counselors and administrators. All efforts are focused on preparing them to enroll and succeed in a four-year college or university.

The program is making an enduring difference. Eighty-five percent of program alumni tracked from 2005 to 2010 have either graduated or are still enrolled in college. In fact, Aguilar is herself an alumna of the program.

Upward Bound was the first of a series of federal programs founded by Congress and the Johnson Administration through the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act. The program began at the Claremont University Center in 1968. It was moved to HMC in 1972 by then president Joseph Platt and then Dean of Faculty Sam Tannenbaum.