News Releases

Upward Bound at USM Hosts 75 High School Students This Summer

June 22 , 2007

Seventy-five high-school students from Bonny Eagle, Massabesic, Portland, Sacopee Valley, Sanford, and Biddeford high schools will spend six weeks at USM this summer as part of their participation in Upward Bound at USM.   The summer program begins on Sunday, June 24.

During their six weeks, Upward Bound students will take academic classes in USM facilities; study and practice for the SAT with PrepME; polish their college essays and applications; participate in internships as part of career exploration; and partake in cultural and service-learning activities.

One student looked back on the 2006 summer experience and said, USM’s Upward Bound “summer program helped mold me into a person more apt to get into and survive in college.”  Another said, “It is hard work at times, but it is definitely worth it.”

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, who has been a leading advocate in Washington for Upward Bound programs, helped five Maine colleges with Upward Bound programs receive refunding from the U.S. Department of Education, said "Upward Bound at USM is a tremendous resource for southern Maine students who have aspirations for postsecondary education, but need additional support to achieve their goals."  She went on to say, "I am so pleased that Maine's Upward Bound programs [at USM; University of Maine Orono, Farmington, and Presque Isle; and Bowdoin College] will continue serving Maine youth another four years."

Upward Bound is a federally-sponsored program that assists qualified high school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds improve their academic skills and prepare to enter and succeed in college.  Upward Bound is offered in partnership with institutions of higher education.  Upward Bound at USM also receives funding from the Maine Department of Education’s USDA Summer Food Service Program. 

>more news releases