Saginaw Valley State University

MI GEAR UP/College Day Program

 

What Is MI GEAR UP?

MI GEAR UP is funded nationally by the U.S. Department of Education and locally by its project partners, including the State of Michigan’s King-Chavez-Parks Initiative.  GEAR UP facilitates student mentoring, offers workshops on college preparation and financial aid, and assists schools and teachers to better prepare students for college studies. Through the program’s goals, our students will not only succeed in and outside the classroom, but will gain the skills necessary to successfully graduate from an institution of higher education.

SVSU’s MI GEAR UP partners with two middle schools, Willie E. Thompson Middle School and Ruben Daniels Middle School, as well as two high schools, Arthur Hill High School and Saginaw High School, all of which are in the Saginaw Public School District.  The program has begun working with the new cohort of 7th graders and will follow them through graduation.

MI GEAR UP program goals are to:
- Educate GEAR UP students and families on the importance and accessibility of a college education.
- Provide academic support and guidance to make college enrollment and retention achievable.
- Increase student and family capacity to make college affordable, allowing students to enter the collegiate process and leverage financial options.

 

 

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for
Undergraduate Programs

 

In-Class Academic Workshops

SVSU's MI GEAR UP offers academic workshops that are presented in the classroom. Workshops are presented based upon the assessed need specified by the participating school. Workshop topics are based on college awareness and readiness and are conducted by Saginaw Valley State University’s GEAR UP Coordinator as well as contracted presenters.

In-Class Workshop Topics include:

  • Test Taking Strategies and Understanding Test Anxiety
  • Organizational Skills
  • Study Tips
  • Time Management
  • Goal Setting
  • Help Me Select a Dream Career
  • Preparing for College (I’m Interested in College, Now What?)

 

 

College Visits

MI GEAR UP also offers students the opportunity to explore universities and colleges in the state of Michigan for FREE. Students in MI GEAR UP will have the chance to visit several campuses in the state of Michigan.  When visiting university and college campuses across Michigan, students attend workshops and activities such as:

Workshops

  • College Admission Requirements
  • Financial aid and Scholarships
  • Critical Writing
  • College Major Exploration
  • Career Explorations

Activities

  • Celebrating Black History Month: Saginaw Valley State University
  • Collaboration with the Great Lakes Bay Region Youth Leadership Institute's presentation of The Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit's Speak for Yourself, which addressed stereotypes and biases while promoting diversity

Past Michigan Universities Visited

  • Central Michigan University (Nov. 2010)
  • Michigan State University (April 2010)
  • Oakland University (March and May 2011)
  • Wayne State University (May 2011)
  • Saginaw Valley State University (2007 – 2010)
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (May 2011)

 

 

Parent Workshops

MI GEAR UP offers interactive parent workshops with discussions that focus on college awareness as well as techniques and tips on helping their student(s) prepare for college. Parent workshops are FREE of charge and offered at each participating school for the convenience of parents and guardians.

Parent Workshop Topics

  • Help My Teen Select a College
  • Help My Student Select a Dream Career
  • Help My Teen Set Goals and Take Control
  • Help My Teen Organize Time and Set Deadlines
  • My Road Map to Success
  • Help My Teen Take Better Notes From Textbooks
  • Help My Teen Study for Tests
  • Help My Teen Identify Learning Styles
  • Help My Teen with Mentoring

 

Professional Development

MI GEAR UP also provides professional development opportunities for teachers and administrative staff at the partnering schools. Professional development trainings are also offered FREE of charge.

Professional Development Workshop Topics

  • Create a College Going Culture in Your School
  • Building a Positive Classroom Community (Behavior Modification)
  • Moving Parents from Problems to Partnerships