Guide to GEAR UP in Texas
El Paso Community College GEAR UP Project
El Paso Community College
Name of Project:
El Paso Community College GEAR UP Project
Website:
http://dnn.epcc.edu/gearup/GEARUPHome/tabid/10122/language/en-US/Default.aspx
Director's Name:
Marisa Pierce
Director's Contact Number:
915-831-3239
Director's Email:
mpierce6@epcc.edu
Years of Grant:
2006-2012
Number of Students Served:
979 students
Brief Description of Program:
The EPCC program focuses on using cross-institutional activities that concentrate on early college awareness and readiness – paying particular attention to sharing practices that are best for engaging and reaching youth in the target schools; establishing a sustainable research-based model that encourages high academic achievement and college preparedness; developing effective practices in learning and teaching for students, parents, and teachers; aiming to decrease the number of students who must take remediation courses before enrolling in courses for credit at colleges and universities; strengthening weaknesses in math, science, and English language arts; and closing the gap between secondary and postsecondary academic standardized tests.
District/Campus Names:
The program targets students in rural school districts – and a population that is predominantly low-income, Hispanic, and has a low college enrollment rate.