Navigating college applications, coordinating campus tour visits and studying for the SATs can be overwhelming for any high school student, especially those who are first-generation students and may come from low-income backgrounds. The University of Georgia is working to support the needs of these students in Athens-Clarke County and neighboring counties through TRIO programs. These federally funded college access grant programs provide academic guidance, personal support and resources to help students get to college, succeed in college and graduate with their degrees.
Mariah Carson and Carlos Flores, recent graduates of Clarke Central High School and the TRIO program, credit their respective programs for providing the support, resources and encouragement they needed to pursue higher education. Through their respective programs, they gained both the tools to advance their academic goals and the confidence to see college as an option within their reach.
Making college more accessible
Throughout high school, Carson kept herself busy. Over the course of four years, she was involved in 10 extracurricular activities including serving as president for Future Business Leaders of America, vice chair for Mayor Council and as an ambassador at the Athens Community Career Academy.
Carson participated in the UGA TRIO Upward Bound program, which provides fundamental support and opportunities for academic success in high school and subsequent higher education pursuits to eligible students enrolled in target high schools including Clarke Central, Cedar Shoals, Oglethorpe County, Madison County, East Jackson, Jackson County, Banks County, Washington Wilkes, Lincoln County and Greene County.
The 210 students in the program participate in various workshops that help them succeed in their higher education pursuits. Topics include how to apply for college, financial literacy and overall collegiate preparedness.
Students are required to attend a summer academy in order to graduate from the program. This unique opportunity allows high school students to experience what it’s like to be a college student on UGA’s campus. From dorm-living to enrolling in courses taught by university faculty, the summer academy gives them a holistic view of what their future holds.
Carson always knew she wanted to attend college but wasn’t sure where to begin, and she appreciated the countless opportunities to connect with college students and hear about their experiences.
“A lot of times, students feel like college is unattainable because they’ve never stepped foot on a campus. I will say that, especially for students who live in Athens, even if they’re first-generation or come from low-income households, UGA is not that far-fetched after participating in Upward Bound. The program makes college feel more accessible for everyone,” Carson said.
After the summer academy, students go on additional college visits. One of Carson’s fondest memories from the program was a trip to visit a college in Puerto Rico.
“Traveling is such a special component of Upward Bound. It broadens horizons by allowing us to see college campuses around the world and try new things in the process,” she said.
In the fall, Carson will be attending North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and majoring in sociology.
Preparing for the next chapter
At Clarke Central, Flores busied himself with track, cross-country, shadowing at the Hanger Clinic and leading his youth group while also participating in the UGA TRIO Talent Search program.
The Talent Search program provides academic, career and financial counseling to students from disadvantaged backgrounds and encourages them to graduate from high school and complete a postsecondary education. Participating in the program comes with the additional benefit of financial aid and assistance with the postsecondary application process.
Like the Upward Bound program, Talent Search students can sign up for educational trips, college visits, summer academies and workshops.
“It ended up being my favorite club I joined because my leaders gave me access to achieve the future that I’ve always wanted for myself,” Flores said.
Participating in the program provided Flores with assistance in studying for the SAT, creating a list of colleges for applications and gathering details about his intended career. All of it helped him when it came time to submit college applications.
Flores will be starting at UGA in the fall and plans to double major with a focus on bioengineering. He’s excited to make campus his home for the next four years.
“After I got accepted to UGA, Talent Search was very intentional with helping me find what organizations to join, the best places to park and how to prepare for dorm life. I can’t wait to start this next chapter in my educational journey,” Flores said.
Talent Search has served more than 900 students annually for over 40 years in Clarke, Elbert, Hancock, Warren and Wilkes counties.
TRIO programs are facilitated through UGA’s Office for Student Success and Achievement. To learn more about each offering and qualifications, please visit https://ossa.uga.edu/trio/.