CLU hosts student residential programs
Upward Bound teens come from throughout U.S.
(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – June 23, 2008) California Lutheran University’s Upward Bound summer program is providing more than 100 low-income and first-generation college-bound students from throughout the country with a range of opportunities, from taking a college-level engineering course to producing a video for a local drug abuse program.
More than 100 students have descended on the Thousand Oaks campus for the 28th annual five-week residential program designed to prepare them for college admission. It runs from Monday, June 23, through Friday, July 25.
The 56 students in the Traditional Upward Bound Program come from Oxnard and Camarillo. The Math and Science Upward Bound Program is one of three regional centers in California and the 53 teens come from Fillmore, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Ventura, Cathedral City, Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Rosemead, Temecula, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, New Mexico and Tennessee. This may be the last year that CLU serves regional students due to federal program changes.
Students from both the Upward Bound programs can take courses covering topics such as SAT/ACT preparation and study skills. Community leaders and Upward Bound alumni serve as mentors and guest speakers. Four students from each program received scholarships to participate in the “What is Engineering” course, which is offered to the public for college credit by Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering on the CLU campus.
The Traditional Upward Bound Program offers core classes in science, math, history and English. Students also have the opportunity to take enrichment classes such as Chinese and life skills. This year, students in a video production class will film a documentary on the Palmer Drug Abuse Program of Ventura County that will include client testimonials, interviews with program directors and a drug bust reenactment.
The Upward Bound Math and Science Program has a strong focus on technology, engineering, math and the sciences. Summer classes include biotechnology, oceans and music.
Historically, 100 percent of participants in CLU’s Upward Bound programs graduate from high school and enter a post-secondary education program. After six years, 75 percent have completed their program or are actively pursuing degrees.