UH Hilo Upward Bound Program receives nearly $1.49M grant

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Upward Bound Program was recently awarded a new five-year Math & Science grant totaling $1,488,005 through the U.S. Department of Education Federal TRIO Programs to support Hawai‘i Island high school students in their preparation for college entrance.

The Upward Bound Math and Science program is designed to strengthen the math and science skills of participating students and help them recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science, and to encourage them to pursue postsecondary degrees and careers in those fields.

“This grant adds to the four Upward Bound programs that UH Hilo was awarded two months ago. With a Math & Science focus, this will allow us to help address equity gaps while still prioritizing key elements of student success, first with completion at the high school level, then with preparation for a smooth transition to college,” explained Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Principal Investigator Farrah-Marie Gomes.

“I am especially grateful to Interim Upward Bound Director Shayna Fuerte, Associate Director Claire Uyetake, Assistant Director Sarah Lips, and the entire Upward Bound team who co-authored the grant proposals,” she added. “The Math & Science grant provides us the opportunity to support first-generation students and students who come from low-income families who are interested in STEM fields around Hawai‘i Island as they explore and prepare for college.”