BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE’S UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM SOARS
July 22, 2002, Bloomfield, NJ - Within the last four years, the percentage of Bloomfield College Upward-Bound students who pursue post-secondary education increased from 82 percent to 96 percent.
This Upward Bound Program is not just simply based on reading, writing, and arithmetic as are some others. Instead, a new curriculum was designed to implement courses such as: Music Appreciation, Dance, Theater Performance, Desktop Publishing, Political Thought, and World Language and Culture. Additionally, students participate in field trips to Broadway and off-Broadway shows, as well as various historical, social, and cultural events.
“I like it because it helps to make you more social. Also, if you need help with your subjects, they prepare you for them, while having fun,” said Chery Jones of Irvington.
“These trips take the students out of their comfort zone, exposing them to settings that they aren’t accustomed to because of the environment in which they live,” said Gerrod White of Newark, Upward Bound Counselor.
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Such programs will give a holistic approach to the students’ learning. Doris Richardson, Director of Upward Bound, stated that the various facets of this program “will tap into their different learning styles, strengths, and talents.”
Participants of the program have gone on to further their education at some of the most elite and prestigious institutions including: Yale University, Xavier University, Morgan State University, Howard University, Georgetown University Graduate School for Medicine, Columbia University, and New York University.
“If I can get students back into wanting to learn and seeking knowledge for themselves I’ll be happy,” said Richardson.
The Bloomfield College Upward Bound Program is a pre-college program serving teens from ages 13 - 18 from selected high schools from the Newark, East Orange, and Orange areas. The program targets those who possess poverty level household income or first generation college status. Services that are offered to the participant include the following: counseling, mentoring, tutoring, college tours, parent/student workshops, post-secondary information, and financial assistance.
Participants are afforded exposure to all facets of preparation for the SAT as well as college and scholarship application information. During the academic year phase of the program, SAT Math and Verbal instruction are among the course offerings. All juniors are mandated to take the SAT in June, and seniors are mandated to take it in December.
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The goal of the Upward-Bound program is to foster positive attitudes toward learning, while instilling the desire to receive a post-secondary education. In addition, the participant is taught the importance of volunteering and becoming an asset to society through community service and empowering educational workshops.
“It’s definitely preparing me for college…I know that I’ll have to go through obstacles when I get older, but when I do I won’t be dumbfounded by them. Because of the training I’m getting here, I’ll have what I need get through,” said Earnest Galloway of Newark.
Founded in 1868 as a Presbyterian seminary, Bloomfield College has renewed itself to meet the changing needs of the community. The College has earned national recognition for its innovative, high quality academic and co-curricular programs and for its commitment to serve students from all backgrounds, particularly those who have traditionally been excluded from higher education. Its mission is to prepare students to attain academic, personal and professional excellence in a multicultural and global society.
