Collinsville High School and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) announced a partnership to offer pre-collegiate programming at CHS.
“Upward Bound” will accept up to 120 CHS students identified as low-income or first-generation to attend college. Sixty of those slots are specifically focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and careers.
The initiative includes homework help, college counseling, field trips and special programs to help students prepare for post-high school education and professions. Upward Bound is funded by a federal grant awarded to SIUE. The university considered several local school districts and chose CHS based on the school’s demonstrated interest and collaborative spirit.
The details were outlined in a press release from SIUE on October 23, 2019:
SIUE Upward Bound Program Comes to Collinsville High School
New Partnership Sets the Stage for Student Excellence
Oct. 22, 2019 – For the first time, pre-collegiate programming is being offered at Collinsville High School (CHS), under the direction of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) Upward Bound (UB) program. The new offering also creates a Partnership between SIUE and Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 that has not previously existed.
“SIUE is excited to work with Collinsville High School for the betterment of students in the area,” said Timothy Staples, EdD, ESLC director. “When I came to the school, it was clear that everyone is vested in the success of the students.”
“Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 and the Board of Education are excited about the Upward Bound partnership with SIUE, and the positive impact the program will have on first-generation college students,” said Dr. Mark B. Skertich, CUSD #10 superintendent.
The ESLC will operate an UB and an Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) program at Collinsville, which will begin Monday, Nov. 18. The programs are for first-generation and or low-income students. The program directors are Desiree Tyus (UBMS) and Yvonne Hart (UB).
Some programmatic offerings include:
- Advising and one-on-one homework during school hours.
- Local college tours on the first Wednesday of each month. Students will visit SIUE Dec. 4.
- Workshops, guest speakers, hands-on activities, and career placement on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.
- Workshops and cultural field trips on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
“I was not familiar with the Upward Bound program initially,” said CHS Principal David Snider. “The SIUE team did a wonderful job educating us. I know this is going to be a successful and rewarding program for the students and the school.” CHS has a student population of more than 1,850.
“Parents are emailing me nonstop about the program,” said CHS Counselor TaRael Kee. “They want in. We have many students here who have need, and we have limited resources in the form of counselors to help them. ”
“That is one of the great things about the Upward Bound program,” interjected Latoya Berry Coleman, CHS director of curriculum and instruction. “The Upward Bound staff will be able to give students one-on-one counseling, meet their individual needs and expose them to college opportunities.”
More than 500 teenagers came to UB’s first student orientation, according to Tyus.
“We received more than 65 applications,” she continued. “We then hold interviews after looking at the applications to see who will be the best fit. My program can enroll a total of 60 students, and Mrs. Hart’s program can have 60 students, totaling 120 students.”
“We will expose our UBMS students to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers and encourage, as well as prepare them, to acquire degrees in these fields,” said Tyus. “Also, in our intensive six-week summer residential program on the SIUE campus, students will work closely with faculty, graduate assistants and external partners to deepen their interest and knowledge in STEM-related subjects.”
“I’m excited about all the things we are going to accomplish,” said Hart, “because Collinsville High School has a culture of teamwork and student success.”
The SIUE Upward Bound Program recently entered into its first partnership with Collinsville High School.
Seated (L-R): seated are Renee Kurtz, CHS counselor, and David Snider, CHS principal. Standing (L-R): Chris Andre, UB staff; Desiree Tyus, UB program director; TaRael Kee, CHS counselor; Yvonne Hart, UB program director; Latoya Berry Coleman, CHS director of curriculum and instruction; Dan Toberman, CHS assistant principal; and Timothy Staples, EdD, ESLC director.