Mission Statement

The Academic Enrichment Upward Bound program (AEUB) mission is to empower and support youth from disadvantaged backgrounds on their educational journey. We are dedicated to their success by working tirelessly to ensure their high school graduation. We provide guidance and assistance to help them secure admission to a post-secondary institution, while also preparing them holistically—socially, emotionally, and academically—for the challenges they may face in their higher education pursuits. By equipping these students with the necessary skills and resources, we strive to foster their continued growth and development, empowering them to become effective and contributing members of society.

Vision Statement

Our vision at AEUB is to empower students from disadvantaged backgrounds and transform their lives through education.

Program History, Background, and Evolution

Originally hosted by the HBCU Knoxville College, AEUB was transferred to UTK in 1981. Since then, it has continued to serve disadvantaged youth in the Knox and Anderson County areas. Currently the program has six target schools.

  • Anderson County High School
  • Austin-East Magnet High School
  • Career Magnet Academy
  • Central High School
  • Clinton High School
  • Fulton High School

The program also serves additional students at other area high schools as needed.

As the program continues to grow and adapt to an ever-changing and challenging world climate, AEUB has also become increasingly focused on teaching participants the importance of social justice, fairness, equity, tolerance and behavioral respect for all. The unique blend of inner-city and rural high school populations in the program creates an ideal environment in which to plant seeds of understanding and cooperation.

AEUB takes a holistic approach in helping participants to become well-rounded individuals who have an appreciation for traditional education, modern technology, and the arts.

With a three-fold mission, we strive for exceptional outcomes: 95% of our program participants will graduate from high school with a regular diploma and completion of a rigorous course of study, ensuring a solid foundation for their future. Furthermore, we aim for a minimum of 75% of our graduates to obtain admission and enrollment in a post-secondary institution (PSI) immediately after high school, enabling them to pursue their dreams. Finally, we commit to supporting our students to thrive by ensuring that at least 35% of them complete their degree.

Join Our Program

STUDENTS WE SERVE

TRiO / Upward Bound programs are nation-wide, grant-based programs funded by five-year competitive grants from the U.S. Department of Education. A requirement of the grant award is that more than 66% of the participants must come from homes that meet federal low-income guidelines and be potential first-generation college students. This population is grossly under-represented in the realm of higher education. Nationally, each year, the college-going rate of this population fluctuates between four and seven percent. TRiO programs are designed to address this access and opportunity deficit. Students in AEUB come from homes in which parents do not know what questions to ask or of whom they should ask them in order to assist their children in achieving better than they did themselves. A lack of exposure and financial resources creates a perception of inaccessibility that seems overwhelming to the families of disadvantaged students. AEUB aims to break this cycle of misinformation one participant at a time.

PROGRAM SERVICES

In order to achieve the specific objectives of the AEUB grant, a vast array of services are offered to the program participants:

  • Academic tutoring (all academic core areas of study)
  • College admissions information, advising and application assistance
  • College Financial Aid information and application assistance
  • Career informationCultural experiences
  • Financial Literacy Education
  • College simulation experiences during a six-week summer residency
  • College campus tours
  • Featured speakers
  • College entrance exam preparation
  • Exposure to pertinent resources for further assistance in pursuing post-secondary education

Connecting Upward Bound graduates with TRiO / Student Support Services programs at the college level increases exponentially the chances of success for TRiO participants.

Project Director

For more information, please reach out to our project director Charles White (Principal Investigator / Project Director) at cwhite90@utk.edu

Educational Specialist

Name: Liaren Gladfelter
Counties Served: Knox and Anderson counties
Phone: (865) 974-4466
Email: gladlc@utk.edu