Project Description:
BRIDGE TO GEAR UP (B2GU) program is a project which aims to prepare students to enter and succeed in post-secondary education. It is funded by Texas A&M University as a two-year transition grant. We are currently working with the following surrounding rural high school students and campuses: Buckholts High School, Hearne High School, Mumford High School, Navasota High School, North Zulch High School, Somerville High School, and Cameron Yoe High School.
With this project, we focus on improving school completion and college attendance rates for first-generation students, minority students, students with disabilities, and other underrepresented student groups. Beginning January 2015, over 1,500 students have joined the program from 7 different independent school districts. B2GU provides different opportunities to enhance the level of success for the groups of students including text messaging supports, personal and group counseling, summer enrichment programs, mentoring, family outreach activities, college tours, workshops, financial aid information and application support, college choices information, and college application process support. The summer programs include College Ready Camps and Leadership Camps; the financial aid resource includes FAFSA nights and workshops; college choices including set up graduation plans with target schools and future career directions as well as having college visits to know more about different schools and programs.
The B2GU project offers resources and assistance for students as well as parents and educators to increase awareness and decision making skills regarding college, careers and life skills.
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**ACTIVITIES**
Summer camps
BRIDGE TO GEAR UP (B2GU) offers two types of summer camps: college ready camp and leadership camp. The leadership camp is for senior students to acquire leadership skills and develop a leadership project for school or community, to enhance potential through building confidence, commitment, and collaboration skills, to participate in college readiness and awareness activities, and to meet students from other districts. The college ready camps offer all B2GU students the opportunity to learn the skills and information that will assist them to be successful in college. It will be held in Blinn College-Bryan, Blinn College- Brenham, and Temple College. The sessions include navigating the college curriculum and credit transfer, a campus tour, and Q&A.
Workshops
Workshops offered by B2GU staffs and guest speakers include the topics specifically targeted for senior students and junior students. For the senior students, the workshop topics include: (1) college application; (2) college scholarships; (3) professional communication and collaboration; (4) FAFSA/TASFA event; (5) disability services; (6) milestones in college journey; (7) accessing resources on campus; (8) roommate conflict resolution; and (9) navigating curriculum and credit transfer. Furthermore, the workshops for junior students are as follows: (1) tips for high school juniors; (2) roadmap to college; (3) self-determination; (4) resume writing; (5) financial aid; (6) getting the job 101; (7) college game; (8) college scholarship; and (9) conflict resolution. The various topics provided different information to junior and senior students from seven districts in order to increase their understanding of college study as well as enhance their motivation to pursue higher education.
Text messaging
The B2GU Text messaging service through Signal Vine provides the B2GU students who participate important college knowledge, reminders of important exams, and information about financial aid. The text messaging opportunity also allows students to ask the questions they have regarding the B2GU events, college applications, financial aid, and career plans. B2GU staff then respond to each students individually.
Mentoring
The mentoring service from the B2GU is provided to offer our high school students the opportunity to interact with college students who could provide some supports and advice from their previous college application and personal experiences. The mentors play the roles as a friend, a role model, a confidant, and a nurturer of possibilities. Therefore, mentors are good listeners and supporters who assist the mentees to consider, clarify, and make the better decisions for themselves.
College trips
College tour offered by B2GU provides all junior and senior students the opportunities to visit different college and university campuses (e.g., TSTC, Prairie View, TAMU, MCC, Baylor, Blinn College, TSU, St. Edwards, SHSU) and to learn more about the schools or majors that they are interested in. These trips provide students more realistic understandings about college and university as well as stronger motivation of attending higher education.
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Specific Groups
