Caydance Metzer was initially drawn to the Upward Bound program at Arkansas Tech University because it could help her learn about financial aid options to attend college.
Now that the 2024 Dover High School graduate is preparing to become a full-time college student, she looks back and realizes she received that and so much more from Upward Bound.
“I’ve made friends while I’ve been here and it’s been really fun,” said Metzer. “They designate a certain amount of time you have to study, and that has really helped me improve my time management. Upward Bound helped me understand that not everyone is in the same situation and we need to be thoughtful to everyone.”
Metzer was one of approximately 100 Arkansas River Valley high school students who spent the month of June living and learning on the ATU campus in Russellville as part of the 2024 Upward Bound Summer Academy.
“You get to learn campus without everyone being here and it being overwhelming,” said Metzer when asked about the strengths of the summer program. “I like exploring by myself and looking around. There are activities just about every night and we hang out at the student union some nights. It’s a really good way to learn campus.”
Upward Bound Summer Academy participants studied English, math, science and a wide variety of electives such as virtual reality, human geography, physical education, robotics and theatre. One group of computer science students designed a virtual escape room.
There are also recreational, cultural and social aspects of the program, which is a federally-funded initiative designed to prepare participants for college enrollment and success.
Jill Hendricks has served as director for ATU’s Upward Bound programs for 19 years. She is joined on the ATU Upward Bound staff by target school liaisons Shawna Davis, Annie McNeely and Lauren Pipkin.
“My favorite thing about Upward Bound is the staff and the counselors,” said Metzer. “They are able to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you have a question or need a letter written. If you have a financial aid question, they will call the right person to find the answer.”
Metzer will complete an associate degree at University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton during the fall 2024 semester before enrolling at Arkansas Tech in spring 2025 to begin her pursuit of a mechanical engineering degree.
“Nowadays, you see so many women in STEM,” said Metzer. “That really is motivating for me. I want to change the world. I don’t want to sit in an office. I want to do something that actually helps, and seeing so many women doing that is encouraging.”
Ja’Riya Foster of Dardanelle joined the Upward Bound program as a high school freshman during the 2023-24 academic year and subsequently attended her first summer academy in preparation for her sophomore year.
“It helped me become more social,” said Foster, who would like to become a forensic scientist after graduating from college. “I pay attention more. I really like staying at the dorms and being with my friends. I love the teachers. They help me figure out what college I want to go to and they help with our life skills. We learned how to sew and they gave us these robotic babies. They cry so much. I learned about angles in geometry, but I think I like algebra better. Overall, the people here are really nice and welcoming.”
Another Dardanelle student, Jamey Alcocer, said her Upward Bound studies have allowed her to make better presentations in class and learn how to solve problems.
“This program has helped me not just academically, but it has helped me with my communication skills and overall feel more confident in myself,” said Alcocer, who will be a senior at Dardanelle High School in 2024-25. “Upward Bound has helped me mature every year by creating a detailed mindset for college.”
Alcocer would like to continue her studies after high school and become a sonographer.
“My parents motivate me every day because they didn’t have the same opportunities that I have,” said Alcocer. “I want to be able to provide for my future family and have a successful career and life.”
Krista Atkins was a freshman in the Lamar School District when she watched a video about the Upward Bound program. She applied, was accepted and now she is on a pathway to college. She will be a senior at Lamar High School in 2024-25.
“Upward Bound has helped me meet new people,” said Atkins, who wants to become a physical therapist assistant. “I met a lot of my closest friends through Upward Bound. They support me and they are there for me. My favorite part is summer academy. We go bowling, we swim and we go to the movies. They always have fun things to do and it helps me prepare for my next year of high school. It’s like a really long sleepover.”
Students selected for Upward Bound must meet income guidelines as set by the federal government and/or be a potential first-generation college student.
The Upward Bound classic program at ATU serves students from the public high schools in Atkins, Dover, Hector, Johnson County Westside and Lamar. ATU’s Upward Bound math and science program is for public high school students from Danville, Dardanelle, Two Rivers, Western Yell County and Wonderview.
“It’s really, all in all, just a great program,” said Metzer. “They help us so much in ways that people don’t realize. We make great friends. There are so many people here from other schools I wouldn’t have met without Upward Bound.”
Following the conclusion of the on-campus summer program, the top 15 students from the ATU Upward Bound classic program and the top 15 students from the ATU Upward Bound math and science program will visit Chicago, Ill., for additional learning and cultural immersion.
Learn more at www.atu.edu/upbound/index.php and www.atu.edu/ubms/index.php.
