As a political scientist, it is common in my field to debate over the efficacy and efficiency of government-funded after-school programs. As someone who has benefited greatly from my time as a participant in an Upward Bound program, I can say with all certainty that politics be damned because TRiO works. I was a participant from 2011-2015 in Pre-College Upward Bound, one of the federal Department of Education grant-funded programs housed at the University of Tennessee. My participation in the program provided a solid basis to persist through challenges I faced during high school and helped to qualify my higher education goals. Though I was fortunate to attend a school with a relatively diverse population, Upward Bound exposed me to other students from across the region who were facing many of the same aspirations and challenges as I was. Bringing students together who are facing similar socioeconomic situations builds community and strengthens resolve through establishing a common sense of belonging. That type of commonality between participants in these programs serves as the baseline for their social and professional development.
In addition to the usual college prep services (ACT testing prep, assistance with college searches and application processes, etc.) that were available to all its participants, Upward Bound was a personal resource for me: providing information related to my academic goals and making the information applicable to my situation. This function of making information applicable to specific student needs is one of the greatest benefits for participants, as the students who are eligible for these services (low-income and potential first-generation) are also the least likely to have a support system in place to encourage and facilitate their progress toward a higher education degree. Along those same lines, these programs work to destigmatize the pursuit of higher education for those families who have yet to successfully embark on such a journey and may be fearful or hesitant to do so. All in all, from a previous student participant’s perspective, I can assert with confidence that Upward Bound is a stable educational home for motivated yet underprivileged students, as it is a community based on shared experiences and always feeling welcomed and valued.
The experiences and community I have described is exactly the reason I have chosen to stay with these programs and have continued to give back. As the directors of these programs often say, I have done it all since beginning to work with the programs in 2015: I have worked as a regional tutor, residential assistant, educational specialist, instructor of summer courses, research mentor and facilitator of research projects, and workshop contributor (a role I inhabit now as I finish my Ph.D. studies). I have persisted in my support for these programs for two reasons: I want to ensure that students that benefit from these programs receive the same level of care and support that I did, and I value being a part of ensuring these students have more than a fighting chance at succeeding academically. The other reason is one I think many of us find we can relate to: the idea that Upward Bound is something I truly believe in. It is rare in our lives to discover a cause, mission, movement, or program that we deeply believe in – usually these are the ones we are willing to fight for and defend. Upward Bound is that for me, as it provides life-changing opportunities as I have described above. As I continue my academic career, I will continue to hold Upward Bound close and will always seek opportunities to promote the mission of its programs and others like it. Whereas I can honestly say that without Upward Bound my life would have taken a different path, I cannot express in words my gratitude for the path forward it has provided me.
#TRiOworks
George T. Fields
George T. Fields is a Ph.D. candidate within the Department of Political Science and holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration. George’s primary area of focus lies in Public Administration, complemented by minor concentrations in American Government and Politics, as well as Methodologies. His research within public law delves into intricate topics such as the Supreme Court, issues of judicial deference, judicial policymaking, and the dynamics of judicial activism and restraint. Prior to embarking on his academic doctoral journey, George was an active participant in the Pre-College Upward Bound program from 2011 to 2015 and has since continued to work with Math and Science Upward Bound.