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New Jersey City University Celebrates National GEAR UP Week, September 23-27
JERSEY CITY, N.J. | New Jersey City University (NJCU) and its Pre-College: GEAR UP College Bound Program are celebrating National GEAR UP Week from September 23-27, 2024. This week highlights the ongoing success of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a college access initiative that equips students and their families with the essential support and resources needed to achieve college success.
Since its inception in 1999, GEAR UP has enhanced and supported educational outcomes for millions of low-income, minority, and disadvantaged students across the United States. The program plays a critical role in empowering local youth, offering essential resources for higher education, and fostering a supportive community at NJCU as an investment in the community's future success. Currently, NJCU’s Pre-College GEAR UP College Bound Program serves over 250 students—up dramatically from 2023 when the program enrolled 170 students.
The program serves students in grades 6 through 12 who have expressed an interest in attending college. Eligible students must be a Jersey City resident and attend one of the following schools: Ollie Culbreth, Jr. School PS #14, Whitney M. Young, Jr. School PS #15, Mahatma K. Gandhi School PS #23, Chaplain Charles Watters School PS #24, James F. Murray School PS #38, Ezra L. Nolan School PS #40, Martin Center for the Arts PS #41, Henry Snyder High School, Abraham Lincoln High School, Innovation High School, and University Academy Charter High School.
NJCU alumnus Alan Cruz ‘22, Director of GEAR UP Pre-College Programs, said: “GEAR UP is a college access program that has grown significantly in size and offerings over the past year. The program continues to play a pivotal role in our community, ensuring that our scholars are well-prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.”
Jonelle Knox, Ed.D, Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs, Student Success, and Retention, noted: “We are thrilled to celebrate GEAR UP Week here at NJCU. The dedicated faculty and staff of the GEAR UP program at NJCU work tirelessly to expose and prepare underrepresented youth for college while also creating a supportive community for their families. Programs like GEAR UP are vital to ensuring college success and graduation for future generations.”
This year, NJCU’s GEAR UP Pre-College Program celebrated National GEAR UP Week with its 2nd Annual GEAR UP Banquet on September 24, 2024.
As a part of this year’s celebration, Cruz and Knox encourage all families to support GEAR UP by signing this letter to local legislators.
As part of NJCU’s celebration of the 2024 National GEAR UP Week, the program has launched its Parent and Alumni Association. The goal of the association is to encourage parent involvement while building community, advocacy, and supporting student success. If you are interested in serving on this important board, please contact Program Counselor Rosaury Gomez at rgomez3@njcu.edu.
Additionally, as part of NJCU’s celebration of National GEAR UP Week, the program has launched a ‘We’re Looking for You’ campaign to reconnect with alumni of the program. Former GEAR UP students are encouraged to complete their alumni form at https://forms.gle/DF4XqUkkxAX8HCbEA.
NJCU’s GEAR UP College Bound Program is funded by the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs and College Bound grants. GEAR UP is funded by the United States Department of Education through a partnership with the N.J. Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) and NJCU. College Bound is funded by The State of New Jersey and administered by OSHE.
GEAR UP provides academic support and college preparation activities to middle school and high school students, the majority of whom are from low-income families and will be the first in their families to graduate from college. These programs guide students on the path to a college or university and provide tools for academic success.
Historically, the GEAR UP College Bound Program has had a long presence at NJCU and within the Jersey City community for over 20 years. In 2018, services came to halt due to loss of funding. In 2020, GEAR UP was re-established in order to continue serving the diverse students and families of Jersey City. The GEAR UP College Bound team provides vital programming and assistance to students and families in the community.
At NJCU, the GEAR UP College Bound program offers a six-week summer program that includes academic classes, individual and group academic advising, conflict resolution classes, mentoring, cultural and educational field trips, parent workshops, recreational activities, performing arts, standardized test preparation, and foreign languages. Additionally, NJCU’s GEAR UP College Bound offers 20 weeks of Saturday classes during the academic year, which builds upon the offerings of the six-week summer program.
To learn more about the national GEAR UP program, please contact the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships at 202-530-1135 or www.edpartnerships.org.
About NJCU:
New Jersey City University is a comprehensive public regional institution of higher learning located in Jersey City, N.J., dedicated to the development of our students, our city, our communities, and our state. We are a game-changing force for our students and have been recognized as one of the top colleges in the nation improving their upward economic mobility. In fact, NJCU has been ranked No. 1 in New Jersey and Top 10 in the nation in the CollegeNET Social Mobility Index for 2023. Whether enrolled in one of our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs at our three locations, NJCU students have access to an affordable, diverse environment, and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to go on to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the State of New Jersey.
Contact:
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301