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Michigan Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (MI GEAR UP)

GEAR UP: High school student in graduation cap and gown smiling while posing with a diploma.
An academic advisor and a student smile while looking at a laptop as the student writes in a notebook.
MI GEAR UP helps students strengthen their knowledge for college-level courses by providing academic advising, mentoring, and hands-on experience with college professors.
A young college student smiles while posing in front of a campus building, wearing a graduation cap and gown and holding a rolled up diploma.
MI GEAR UP helps students and their parents to apply for tuition assistance and compete for valuable scholarships.
Student's hand writing with a pencil to fill in a bubble answer sheet next to a separate paper showing mathematical equations.
MI GEAR UP helps students prepare for college entrance exams.
Groups of students walk down a wide sidewalk on the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus with buildings made of brick and glass in the background on a sunny day.
MI GEAR UP offers college campus visits.
Three young students sitting together and working in a stairwell while looking up, smiling, and waving.
MI GEAR UP students participate in ceremonies for academic achievement, summer workshops and camps which focus on making educational goals attainable.
People sitting in auditorium seats while watching a professional presentation onstage during a seminar.
The MI GEAR UP team provides opportunities for enhanced teacher trainings at MI GEAR UP sites.

Who can participate in MI GEAR UP?

Michigan’s 15 public universities work statewide with economically and academically disadvantaged students in 51 of Michigan’s school districts and 90 school buildings. Each location has a student population of at least 50 percent qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

The MI GEAR UP program is specifically equipped to assist low-income students and their families, while providing partnership opportunities for educators and counselors.

Students receive tutoring and mentoring support throughout the program.
Topics include study skills, test-taking skills, college preparation, and many more.
Opportunities include residency programs and college tours.
Program coordinators meet with student participants during the school day to discuss workshops and other educational opportunities.
Students have the opportunity to take field trips to visit college campuses.
Workshops are held for parents/guardians covering topics such as financial aid, college admissions information, parenting resources, and how to help your child study.

Did you know?

MI GEAR UP...

  • is a federally-funded program designed to increase the number of economically-disadvantaged students who are prepared to enter — and be successful in — postsecondary education.
  • partners with Michigan's 15 public universities and valuable external community organizations to provide early intervention services and a scholarship component.
  • aims to increase the postsecondary expectations and readiness of students, improve high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates, and raise the knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation and financing among students and families.
  • serves a cohort of students, beginning in the seventh grade and follows them through the first two years of college to help ensure academic and career success.
  • provides an opportunity for students to discover, first-hand, the potential of a college education and to expose students to the information, knowledge and skills they need to prepare themselves for college entry and success.
  • offers student participants a variety of services including college visits, in-school workshops, tutoring, mentoring and summer camps.
  • increases students’ awareness of the requirements to enter into post-secondary education by providing college exposure, information on financial literacy and admissions requirements — helping to build the critical thinking, test taking, and study skills necessary to be successful as they continue their education.
College students seated in a brightly lit stadium-style lecture hall working individually on their phones, laptops, and in notebooks.

Central Michigan University

Kori Burlager

Email: molte1kl@cmich.edu
Phone: 989-774-3630

Eastern Michigan University

Holli Black

Associate Director, Student Holman Success Center

Email: hblack3@emich.edu
Phone: 734-487-2133

Ferris State University

Cory Meiser

Pre-College Programs Specialist, Office of Multicultural Student Services

Email: OMSS@Ferris.edu
Phone: 231-591-5042

Grand Valley State University

Bobby Springer

Director, K-12 Pathways

Email: springeb@gvsu.edu
Phone: 616-331-8385

Lake Superior State University

Amanda Stempky

Email: admission@lssu.edu
Phone: 906-635-6696

Michigan State University

Samantha Luna-Simmons

Assistant Director

Email: gearup@msu.edu
Phone: 517-355-0177

Michigan Technological University

Cassy Tefft de Munoz

Director, Center for Educational Outreach

Email: outreach@mtu.edu
Phone: 906-487-2219

Northern Michigan University

Joe Lubig

Distinguished Professor & Associate Dean

Email: jlubig@nmu.edu
Phone: 906-227-1880

Oakland University

Teresa A. Rodges

Senior Director of Pre-College Programs and Community Partnerships

Email: precollege@oakland.edu
Phone: 248-370-4455

Saginaw Valley State University

Christina Dillard

Ed.D., KCP Morris Hood Project Advisor

Email: cldillar@svsu.edu
Phone: 989-964-2033

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Laura Saavedra

Program Director, GEAR UP

Email: umich-ceo@umich.edu
Phone: 734-647-1402

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Perry Boyd II

Director, Office of TRIO Programs

Email: perryii@umich.edu
Phone: 313-593-5425

University of Michigan-Flint

Diamond Wilder

UM-Flint Pre-College Program Manager

Email: diamondw@umich.edu
Phone: 810-766-6633

Wayne State University

Jamar Lockhart

Program Director, GEAR UP

Email: jamar.lockhart@wayne.edu
Phone: 313-577-5050

Western Michigan University

Tania Echavarria

Associate Director, GEAR UP

Email: tania.echavarria@wmich.edu
Phone: 269-387-3328