Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) James Kerney Campus is buzzing with educational opportunities. In addition to the many traditional students, you’ll find about 90 high school students moving upward and bound for college as part of MCCC’s Upward Bound program.
Upward Bound is an educational program offered during the summer and academic year for necessitous high school students coming from low-income families and striving to be among their first generation of college students. Funded by the federal government, the program is part of the Trio grant – a series of three programs designed to prepare youth to enroll and succeed in college. MCCC has been leading the charge as 100% of the approximately 80+ youth enrolled every year go onto college.
The program gives youth access to supplemental academic instruction, after school tutoring, cultural enrichment activities, college visits, peer and group counseling, SAT preparation, and college application and financial aid instruction.
During the school year, the program hosts college tours and cultural enrichment events almost every weekend and on weekdays when the public schools are scheduled to be closed. Many tours focus on having youth engage with program alumni that are succeeding at institutions such as Fairleigh Dickinson University.
During the summer months, youth complete a summer academic and career readiness program that often involves a work-study component combining classroom instruction with real-world career lessons. Some previous work study opportunities have included Capital Health and the Trenton Downtown Association. During these summer months the youth also gain a stipend for their involvement enabling them to focus solely on their studies without the need to seek additional employment.
Led by alumna and native Trentonian, Stacy Denton, the program seeks to do more than just prepare youth for post-secondary education. It seeks to prepare youth to be successful and engaged adults making an impact in the community.
Trenton artist S. Bola Okoya, who leads the Six Oh Nine Project, has works currently on display at the Roebling Gallery. This past summer S. Bola worked with program staff to teach a group of students the art of photography. Their works were displayed as the F.A.C.T. (Future Artists and Creators of Trenton) exhibit showcased during Art All Day and currently on display at Artworks Trenton. To learn more about S. Bola and F.A.C.T., check out the TrentonDaily article, https://www.trentondaily.com/six-oh-nine-project-launches-f-a-c-t-exhibit-opens-today/.
Upcoming Events
Upward Bound program also hosts events focused on preparing for college as well as to engage and improve their community. Two events are being co-sponsored by Upward Bound in the coming weeks.
College Fair
The first is a free college fair on November 11th at MCCC’s West Windsor Campus. This event is part of the Malcolm Bernard Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. From 12 – 3 p.m. youth can come and speak with representatives from over 40 HBCUs. Additionally there will be informational workshops such as Educational Goals for Life, Financial Aid 101, Making College Decisions, and Exploring HBCU Opportunities After Community College.
The event is being sponsored by Trenton’s Omega Delta Upsilon Foundation.
Individuals should pre-register at http://www.hbcu.cfnj.com.
Diabetes Awareness Event
Another event being co-sponsored by the Upward Program and MCCC is a Diabetes Awareness Event on Saturday November 17th. With November being Diabetes Awareness Month, this event will take place at the James Kerney Campus from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Attendees will receive educational resources provided by the American Diabetes Association, diet and nutritional education from a registered dietitian, and learn smart tips for managing diabetes. Eligible individuals will also receive a free blood glucose monitor.
This event is sponsored by the Trenton Epsilon Xi Zeta chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Mercer County Community College, Upward Bound, and Xero Dermapeutics Laboratories LLC.
To learn more or to see if you are eligible to receive a free blood glucose monitor call email Ray Carr at 844-567-2667 or rcarr@dxlaboratories.com.
To check out the official flyer check out the link below:
November 2018 Diabetes Awareness Flyer
