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MCC Daily Tribune

MCC Upward Bound Virtual Summer Program

MCC Upward Bound programs (UB) held its second six-week Virtual Summer Program. This year’s summer program theme was Murder Mystery, and the program was filled with many opportunities to learn, grow and have fun.

In preparation for the 2021 MCC UB Summer Program, UB hosted a supply pick-up at the Downtown Campus on June 23.  Students were greeted by staff and led through an assembly line of snacks, school supplies and summer program materials needed to successfully participate in the summer program. During the first week of July, newly accepted UB students attended the New Student Orientation. It was an opportunity for students to identify with the UB Creed while also learning what it meant to be a member of Upward Bound. Throughout the summer UB staff conducted College Prep Bootcamps for each class, strengthened the bonds students have with their advisors and with the UB Creed, and prepared students on their paths to earning a college degree.

In the following three weeks, students attended academic classes in the morning including English, math and American Sign Language courses.  In the afternoon they had the chance to solve a murder mystery, where each detective team displayed resiliency and teamwork as they developed critical thinking skills.  

This year we provided several opportunities for the students to explore various career fields:

During the Career Friday sessions, the student met virtually with working professionals Lori Koenick, Veronica Anthony, Heather Carella and Cassara Cole, Meredith Gui and Isabel Hernandez also MCC professors Dr. Rachel Santiago, Catherine DuBreck, Ellen Post, David Nadeau, Colleen Caruana, Breana Noble, Kathy Collins, Chris Langswager, Eric Strong, and David Williams. Workshops included Veterinary Surgery, Criminal Justice/Casting, Nursing, Engineering, GIS, Podcast Researching, Realty, Education, Packaging science, Automotive Technology, Financial Literacy, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Mug Cake Making and Recipes

Some students also participated in outside work-study experiences for which they received a stipend: AIE, Girls Who Code, Civic Life, American Sign Language, GIS, Math, Financial Literacy, Save our Earth and Project SEED. They developed a final project to present at our Virtual Student Showcase at the end of the summer.

Melea Jones
Upward Bound
11/08/2021