HUNTINGTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Marshall University recently played host to the 2023 GEAR UP U! Summer Academy (GUU!), organized by West Virginia GEAR UP. Taking place from June 21 to 24, the event welcomed over 150 middle school students, specifically rising 8th and 9th graders, from various parts of the state.
GUU! is a free college and career preparatory academy sponsored by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)” initiative.
The main objective of GUU! is to familiarize students with college life and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge for their future endeavors. Throughout the academy, students engage in career-focused classes, leadership and team-building sessions, and a range of exciting educational activities.
The curriculum is designed to introduce participants to different career paths and postsecondary programs. Alongside academic and physical wellness courses, students have the opportunity to interact with peers from across West Virginia, fostering lasting connections.
Current college students lead daily mentoring sessions, sharing their personal journeys to college and providing insights into how participants can prepare for their own future careers through postsecondary education and training.
Mallory Carpenter, the GUU! Camp Director and College Access and Success Program Director for the West Virginia Higher Education Commission, expressed satisfaction with this year’s camp, emphasizing the significance of the experience for many students, who had their first taste of college life.
Carpenter highlighted the value of GUU! in cultivating friendships, connecting with higher education professionals, and instilling the importance of higher education from an early age.
GEAR UP stands out as a unique program that engages students as early as 7th grade, encouraging them to consider their future goals and career pathways.
The highlight of this year’s GUU! was the immersive experience of Marshall University’s campus. Students lived on campus, resided in the university’s residence halls, dined at the Harless Dining Hall, and made use of the facilities at the campus Recreational Center and Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.
Moreover, they attended classes in various campus classrooms, with many of the courses taught by Marshall professors.
Marshall University President Brad D. Smith expressed his delight in hosting the GEAR-UP Summer Academy. As a first-generation college graduate himself, President Smith understands the importance of exposing young students to college culture and the multitude of opportunities available to them.
He affirmed the commitment of Marshall’s faculty and staff to helping the next generation of students prepare for a successful collegiate experience.
West Virginia GEAR UP, a college access program funded by the United States Department of Education, serves students in Boone, Clay, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Nicholas, Roane, Wayne, Webster, and Wirt counties. The program offers college planning and readiness services to support students in their educational journeys.
For more information about West Virginia GEAR UP, please visit wvgearup.org.