Jun 07, 2012 - Claremont, Calif. -

Harvey Mudd College’s Upward Bound program has been granted more than $3.25 million in federal funds for the next five years.

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

“With the number of budget cuts, this competition was one of the toughest,” said Angie Covarrubias Aguilar, director of HMC’s Upward Bound program. “However, we have an incredibly strong program made up of wonderful students, parents, alumni, mentors, HMC faculty and staff who have dedicated an enormous amount of time to the success of our students and program.”

HMC will receive $650,780 per year through 2016 and will serve 145 students annually.

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. This summer will be the second time program participants will also have the opportunity to participate in a two-week research internship in the Chemistry department.

HMC also hosts Upward Bound residential summer programs at U.C. Davis, U.C. San Diego and Georgetown University.

Upward Bound scholars 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.

“Most of the staff are alumni of the program who have all successfully completed the Upward Bound program and gone off to college,” said Aguilar, who is 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.