(September 8, 2017) KANSAS CITY, MO – Avila University’s Upward Bound program has received a generous new federal grant from the Department of Education. The grant totals $1.4 million over the next five years and will make it possible to serve 60 additional students from Northeast High School and Central High School in Kansas City, MO.
Upward Bound provides fundamental support to student participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for students to succeed in their pre-college performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves both high school students from low-income families and students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree.
Deanna Nelson is senior director of development at Avila University and helped write the grant. “Upward Bound is a game changer, a life changer,” said Nelson. “This grant will allow Avila to partner with the Kansas City Public Schools to prepare even more students for college. Research shows that these programs are extremely successful in getting low-income and first- generation students to pursue higher education. This Upward Bound grant will benefit the students who participate and the community as a whole.”
Avila University, a Catholic University sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, is a values-based community of learning providing liberal arts, professional, undergraduate and graduate education to prepare students for responsible, lifelong contributions to the global community. Our approach to education brings out the best in our students, so they can bring out the best in others.