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August 31, 2026
On July 22, 2026, more than 500 incoming students and families at Howard University were informed they had been disenrolled for not meeting tuition payment or payment‑plan requirements. Among them was Savion Davis, Class of 2026 Valedictorian of Osborn High School and a Detroit GEAR UP scholar whose dream of studying Data Science at Howard suddenly hung in the balance.
As a first‑generation college student facing significant financial and family challenges, Savion needed more than an acceptance letter — he needed a strong, coordinated support system.
And the GEAR UP support system, led by the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (UM‑AA) GEAR UP, showed up powerfully.
When Osborn High School reached out, the UM‑AA GEAR UP team immediately mobilized. Antonio Junior‑Robins, working on behalf of GEAR UP, championed Savion’s case with extraordinary persistence — advocating for him, identifying critical resources, communicating across partner organizations, and helping him navigate each barrier that threatened his college future. His efforts reflected the program’s core strength: GEAR UP staff remain deeply committed to their scholars long after the school day ends, stepping in as advocates whenever a student needs someone in their corner.
When traditional solutions fell short, the UM‑AA GEAR UP team kept searching. They leveraged relationships across Detroit’s college‑access network and the broader HBCU community, ultimately connecting Savion with the Howard University Alumni Club of Detroit. This community welcomed Savion with a scholarship, a laptop, school supplies and move‑in support — and, most importantly, they helped advocate for his reinstatement at Howard.
Today, Savion is on Howard University’s campus, pursuing the dream he worked tirelessly to achieve.
This is the GEAR UP promise in action.
GEAR UP is not simply a program that guides students toward college — it is a long‑term commitment to providing the relationships, advocacy, resources and unwavering support students need to stay on the path once they arrive. Savion’s journey is a reminder that every GEAR UP scholar succeeds because a dedicated team is willing to make calls, send emails, build partnerships, locate resources, remove barriers and refuse to give up.
That is the strength of GEAR UP.
That is the power of a village.
College access is not a single moment — it is a journey. And when students encounter obstacles, GEAR UP does not simply point them toward a resource. It builds the bridge.
This is why its people matter. And this is why GEAR UP works for students like Savion.