Students in the TRIO–Upward Bound program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College Cambridge Campus had a life-changing experience this summer, taking college and high school classes and participating in cultural and volunteer activities throughout the region and into Illinois.

Over the summer, recent Cambridge-Isanti, North Branch and Princeton high school graduates participated in a six-week, three credit college Stress Management course. Instructor Jennifer Liberty-Clark added On Course principles to regular curriculum to encourage students to take responsibility for their academic success. In addition, TRIO Advisor Leah Lenneman was a supplemental instructor to help support enrolled TRIO students.  The students learned course content and college course expectations that will help them when they start as full-time college students this fall.

Local students currently in grades 9 to 11 participated in five weeks of high school-level courses in English, Spanish, Math and Physics at the Cambridge Campus. The instruction was designed to enhance student’s current knowledge and prepare them for the appropriate level of instruction in the upcoming school year.

All students participated in a weekly cultural activity and campus tour of two of the following colleges:  Augsburg, Century College, St. Cloud Technical and Community College, Anoka-Ramsey Coon Rapids Campus, and/or Anoka Technical College.

Students also attended a college fair and a Lynx game at the Target Center, and each participated in a volunteer project in partnership with Isanti County Parks.

“I'm a part of another family, an Upward Bound family,” says TRiO participant Hannah Magnuson. “My dedication in attending the program all summer showed how determined I was to go to college.  The program took my determination and my dream and made it into a reality. I don't think I would even be going to college without the information and planning I received. Upward Bound showed me that college life will be the first great step of many in my life.”

TRIO – Upward Bound, funded by the U.S. Department of Education and hosted by Anoka-Ramsey Community College, serves 50 students from participating area high schools.  The program provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their pre-college performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. To be TRiO eligible, students must meet federal income guidelines and/or come from a family where neither parent has earned a four-year degree. Applicants are selected based on their potential to succeed in college and having a need for services.

“TRIO has been producing successful results all across the U.S. since 1965,” says TRiO Director, Ryan O’Donovan. “Even though our program is fairly new, we expect to produce significant results in the completion of secondary education and enrollment in and graduation from higher education institutions. The program provides great opportunities for students in our area.”

For more information about the programs at Anoka-Ramsey community College, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Cambridge Campus TRIO program took local students on a summer cultural trip to Chicago, Ill. where they explored the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group, Museum of Science and Industry, Navy Pier, multiple ethnic neighborhoods, Skydeck, National Museum of Mexican Art, Art Institute of Chicago and Millennium Park (shown). During the trip students also toured at Winona State University and the University of Illinois-Chicago.