Miami, June 14, 2022 – Miami Dade College (MDC) has once again been awarded Upward Bound Grants from the U.S. Department of Education in the amount of $4.5 million to provide fundamental support to high school students in their preparation for college entrance. The grants, which have been renewed for the next five years, will be disbursed to MDC’s North, Wolfson and Homestead Campuses and benefit students from North Miami Beach Senior High School, Edison High School and Homestead High School.
“MDC and Upward Bound are a perfect match because of MDC’s deep commitment to educational equity for all, “said Dr. Michelle Currie Williams, Director of Upward Bound at MDC. “This grant allows us to continue to serve the Miami-Dade community and its future scholars.”
As part of Upward Bound, during the academic year qualifying students receive weekly enrichment workshops, financial aid counseling, financial literacy, tutoring, college tours, ACT/SAT preparation and Saturday academic sessions at MDC. Then, for six weeks during the summer, participants convene at MDC for academic classes, cultural trips and Career Work-Study.
For North Miami Beach Senior High graduating senior, and future MDC North Campus Honors College student, Darline Dorsainvil, the program has been life-changing.
“Upward Bound has thoroughly prepared me for life itself,” Dorsainvil said. “The enrichment sessions are holistic and provided insight into applying to college, researching scholarships, completing the FAFSA, financial literacy, time management, goal setting, etc.”
Upward Bound, which is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO initiative, offers opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. The program serves high school students from low-income families; and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. MDC has been the recipient of Upward Bound Grants since 2017.
For more information about the Upward Bound Grant, please contact Dr. Michelle Currie at 305-237-1438.