Upward Bound is a program designed to assist high school students with developing the skills they need to achieve their personal, academic, and career goals. Joining Upward Bound more than triples your chances of earning an undergraduate degree due to the programs and resources available to you!
Washburn Upward Bound staff partner with students through high school, and into post-secondary education and beyond. Our target school is Topeka High School.
Our Program Philosophy: Washburn Upward Bound endeavors to develop each student to their fullest potential and remove social, class, racial, and other barriers to higher education in pursuit of a more equitable and just society. Our Program culture is one of friendship, trust, respect, and care for oneself and each other, and especially, dedication to learning.
Students who participate will receive support services to help make post-secondary education a reality, including:
- Tutoring
- Social and cultural field trips
- College tours
- Test prep
- Assistance applying to college
- And much more!
Nothing! It’s FREE.
What's more, Upward Bound PAYS YOU.
*Stipends may be earned based on participation requirements.
FUNDING
TRIO Upward Bound is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants will be selected for program participation in compliance with the provisions of section 427 of the U.S. Department of Education’s General Education Provisions Act (GEPA). Accordingly, access and participation will not be denied to applicants based on gender, race, national origin, color, disability or age.
Eligible students must be:
- U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents at the time of admission.
- From a low-income family and/or be a future first-generation college student.
- In need of academic support and have a strong desire to enroll in and complete a postsecondary pathway.
All applications are accepted for review regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender or disability (U.S. Department of Education-GEPA Section 427).
Shelley Bearman, Upward Bound Program Director
I am a graduate of Murray State University of Murray Kentucky with both B.S. and M.S. degrees in organizational communication. If I can do it, you can too. I am originally from Kentucky but after happily living in Kansas for 23 years, I consider myself a transplanted Kansan. I have enjoyed working with adolescents and their families for several years. I look forward to getting to know you and watching you achieve your goals of attending and graduating college.
A fun fact about me is that as a first-generation college student I never imagined I would travel the circumference of the globe, but the travel bug has a hold of me. I love to travel having explored Mexico twice, England multiple times, France, Russia, New Zealand, India, Puerto Rico, and China. My favorite food is good hamburger and have been since high school. Watching movies is my favorite pastime. Check out The Princess Bride and The Breakfast Club if you have not seen them. Lastly, if we were to take a trip together get ready for a long plane ride as I have always wanted to go to Australia. So welcome to Upward Bound, I look forward to getting to know you!
Hola, espero poder conocerte y verte alcanzar tus metas de asistir y graduarte de la universidad. Por supuesto, preferiría mucho mejor tener esta conversación en persona, pero hasta que llegue ese día quiero contarles un poco sobre mí. Me gradué de Murray State University en Murray, Kentucky con un B.S. y un M.S. en comunicación organizacional. Si yo puedo hacerlo, tú también puedes. Soy originaria de Kentucky, pero después de vivir en Kansas por 23 años, me considero una habitante Kansas trasplantada. He disfrutado trabajando con adolescentes y sus familias durante varios años.
Un hecho divertido sobre mi es que, como estudiante universitaria de primera generación, nunca imaginé que viajaría por la circunferencia del mundo, pero el gusanillo de viajar me tiene atrapada. Me encanta viajar, y ya he explorado México dos veces, Inglaterra varias veces, Francia, Rusia, Nueva Zelanda, India, Puerto Rico, y China. Mi comida favorita es una buena hamburguesa y lo ha sido desde la secundaria. Ver películas es mi pasatiempo favorito. Echa un vistazo a The Princess Bride y The Breakfast Club si no las has visto. Por último, si tuviéramos que hacer un viaje juntos, prepárate para un largo viaje en avión, ya que siempre he querido ir a Australia. ¡Así que bienvenido a Upward Bound, espero conocerte!
Zalma Molina, Upward Bound Advisor
I'm Zalma Molina and I am honored to be the Upward Bound Program Advisor. I was born in California but raised in Texas, Colorado, and Southwest Kansas as the proud daughter of two immigrant parents coming from Mexico and El Salvador. I grew up loving school no matter where I'd move to but it wasn't until I attended one of my older sister's college visits provided by her Upward Bound Program that I realized I could and wanted to attend college. I later became a first generation college student earning my Bachelor's of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Kansas where I was a part of their TRIO program.
After a few years working in and out of my degree field, I realized my love for education translated into advising for the same program that motivated me to earn a college degree while still being able to stay close to my family here in Topeka. I am currently pursing my Master's in Business Administration at Washburn University and I am super excited to be a part of the Upward Bound family. My goal will always be to provide assistance in any way possible to the students we serve and I look forward to help motivate them as they work towards accomplishing their own dreams.
También hablo español. Por favor no duden en ponerse en contacto conmigo con preguntas o comentarios.
Admission into the Washburn University Upward Bound Program is available to all those USD 501 students who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of gender, race, national origin, age, religion or disability. Washburn Upward Bound is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as additional resources and support from Washburn University and Topeka Public Schools.
November 2023 Newsletter
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Upward Bound is an Equal Opportunity in Education project that does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, gender identification, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
GET IN TOUCH WITH Upward Bound
Shelly Bearman
shelley.bearman@washburn.edu
785.670.3872
Zalma Molina
zalma.molina@washburn.edu
785.295.3220
