Public Relations

NWACC UB helping public school students overcome barriers

            BENTONVILLE (Wednesday, November 21, 2007) – The federally funded Upward Bound program at NorthWest Arkansas Community College, now in its fifth year, has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education for four more years.

            Total funding should equal or exceed $1 million, according to program director Jerry H. Moore

            Upward Bound is a part of the TRIO program, a program that serves to help students overcome class, social, and cultural barriers to higher education.

            “Upward Bound provides important tools to the children of the Third District,” U.S. Representative John Boozman said. “The education of our youth is one of our primary responsibilities, as is the preparation for future success in college.

            “I fully support the mission of the TRIO program and its efforts to tutor, counsel, and mentor the children of Northwest Arkansas as a means to inspire them to reach their full potential.”

            U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln said Upward Bound is a valuable program that helps thousands of students in Arkansas and across the country reach their full academic potential.

            “These federal dollars are a smart investment in our future, and I am proud of NorthWest Arkansas Community College for continuing to expand educational opportunities for Arkansas students," she said.

            The NWACC program serves 50 participants each year from six public school districts – Rogers, Springdale, Huntsville, Gentry, Gravette and Decatur.

            Since 2003 the project has worked with more than 200 eligible participants. It’s coming off of one of its most successful years.

            All 10 high school seniors in the 2006-2007 project year graduated. Of them, nine enrolled in college and seven at NWACC.

            The project retained 90 percent of its 40 remaining, eligible participants this current academic year.

            Of 23 participants required to take state achievement exams in algebra, geometry and literacy, 92 percent scored in the advance or proficiency performance levels.

            The average grade point average for the 2006-07 participants was 3.04 and the composite ACT scored ranged from 19-27 for those that took the test.

            NWACC’s UB staff of three had 8,302 contact hours with each participant.

            UB staff members are currently in the public schools recruiting new participants to replace graduating seniors and others who may decide not to participate in the project.

            New participants must be a citizen or permanent U.S. resident; completed the eighth grade, be between the ages of 13-19; a potential first-generation college student or from a low-income household; have potential for success in postsecondary education; and have a need for academic assistance to pursue an educational project beyond high school.

            For information on the NWACC UB project contact Dr. David Wilson at 619-2271 or program director Jerry H. Moore at 479-409-3262.

            The NWACC program is funded at $250,000 each year.

For questions/comments on this content, please contact jhall@nwacc.edu

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