Cutline: NOC Enid hosts the Upward Bound Summer Academy from May 27-June 26. (photo by Shiloh Martin/NOC).
NOC Enid hosts Upward Bound Summer Academy
Northern Oklahoma College Enid is hosting the Upward Bound Summer Academy May 27-June 26.
Upward Bound, a federally funded program, aims to increase the number of low-income and first-generation college students who graduate from high school and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. The program provides academic support, guidance, and mentorship to help students develop the skills and motivation needed for college success.
Students meet from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily at NOC Enid with 40 students attending this year nearly all from Enid High School. The program is required to fund 62 students annually. Upward Bound serves eligible student members from Enid, Pioneer, Kremlin-Hillsdale, and Waukomis High Schools.
“Summer Academy is an important component of our year-round program., not just academically but socially as well,” said director Erin McCoy. “The students experience navigating a college campus while preparing for the next level of advanced high school classes and the ACT. They receive instruction from our amazing instructors in core classes including English literature and reading, laboratory science, math, and foreign language, and two electives in a very relaxed, engaging classroom environment. And they get to know their fellow members who share the same goal: to be the first in their families to go to college and earn their college degrees.”
Since 2008, NOC’s Upward Bound has served 282 students, enrolling 208 students into post-secondary education, according to McCoy.
She said that 73% of the program’s graduating seniors enroll in post-secondary education, compared to 66% nationally (Oklahoma School Report Card, oklaschools.com, and National Center for Education Statistics).
Fast Facts from the program
- Since 2008 Upward Bound NOC students have obtained 66 post-secondary education degrees.
- From 2008-2016 Upward Bound NOC students obtained 26 post-secondary education degrees from NOC Enid, OSU, OU, UCO, The University of Chicago, and the United States Naval Academy.
- From 2016-2024 Upward Bound NOC students have obtained 40 post-secondary education degrees (a 54% increase from the previous 8 years), from NOC Enid, OSU, OU, UCO, and Oral Roberts University.
- Since 2008 Upward Bound NOC has served 237 low-income and first-generation students, 36 first generation only, and nine low-income only.
- There are 816 Upward Bound Programs from the United States, Washington, D.C, Micronesia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Palau.
- To qualify for membership, students must have at least a 2.50 GPA and must have completed the 8th grade and be between 13-19 years of age. They must also meet federal income guidelines and be first-generation, college-bound students.
- Students receive tutoring, attend monthly ACT Workshops, Saturday sessions, Summer Academy, and Academic Advising.
- Students tour Oklahoma colleges and universities.
- Upward Bound pays for tuition, books, and fees for five qualifying graduated seniors to take two Summer Bridge college classes at NOC Enid.
- Students attend OKC Thunder games, Oklahoma City Broadway shows and much more.
For more information about Upward Bound, please contact McCoy at erin.mccoy@noc.edu .
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 4,000 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
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