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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

A Firsthand Account of the Upward Bound Summer Program


Although I had been working with MCC Upward Bound since November, I was remarkably unaware of how demanding, yet rewarding, the six-week academic summer program would be for myself, a staff member, and for the students as well.

The first week started out strong, we developed our own leadership curriculum for the students to improve their communication and decision-making skills. Students participated in activities that tested their own comfort levels on their paths to becoming successful leaders. The week concluded with a trip to Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures to test out the skills the students learned throughout the week.

Armed with a strong team we welcomed the students to their first classes in math, robotics, English, career exploration, and college readiness. It was amazing to see the growth the students went through personally and academically. During the first week of classes students were given a pre-test to determine what areas they needed to improve on. At the end of the summer they took the same exam and overall the group improved their skills by 15 percent. Although we often have high expectations for the students, the summer program is proof that they are more than capable of meeting them.

My favorite part of the summer program was having the opportunity to expose the students to new experiences. Following the theme of the summer we took a trip to RIT to explore the Toyota production lab. We continued this trend a few weeks later when we toured the Applied Technologies Center at MCC. Even though we love to stress the importance of STEM at UB, we know that history is just as important. Therefore, it only made sense for us to take the students to both the Genesee Country Museum and the Sterling Renaissance Festival.

The one thing that I will always remember about the 2016 summer program is the final closing college tour to Edinboro University, SUNY Fredonia, and of course our epic tour of Niagara Falls on the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds. It is always so remarkable to see that spark in a student’s eye when they finally find their college, or they are able to experience something they may never have had the chance to in Rochester. Even though the summer program has concluded, it was truly amazing to be part of a team that was able to influence students positively and better prepare them academically to be successful in their futures.

Cassandra McCarthy
Upward Bound Programs
09/14/2016