UNM-Valencia’s Upward Bound program connects area students with academic support, college preparation and opportunities to explore their futures beyond high school.
The program works with students from Belen, Los Lunas and Valencia High School and places particular emphasis on helping students who would be the first in their families to attend college. Students can join during ninth, 10th or 11th grade, giving them time to strengthen academic skills, explore college options and prepare for the steps involved in continuing their education.
Academic support is a major part of the program. Upward Bound offers tutoring, academic monitoring and college-preparation resources throughout the school year. Students also take part in workshops, college and career exploration, campus visits and other activities designed to make higher education more familiar and accessible.
The program continues during the summer with up to seven weeks of activities that combine academics with college visits, career exploration and enrichment experiences. These opportunities allow students to experience aspects of college life before graduating from high school.
The connection to UNM-Valencia also gives students an opportunity to see college as something within reach in their own community. Many Upward Bound participants later enroll at UNM-Valencia, continuing relationships that began while they were still in high school.
By working with students before graduation, UNM-Valencia Upward Bound helps create a bridge between high school and higher education while supporting the next generation of college students in the region.
