The Upward Bound Program at UMF began in 1980 and is aimed at helping high school students from 14 target schools in West Central Maine, 9 from the Foot Hills region and 5 from the River Valley region. The program’s goal is to help students reach their optimum potential.Products of the civil rights movement, and a push for access to education for all Americans, Upward Bound began under the administration of Lyndon B. Johnson as part of the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964. Talent Search emerged one year later, under the Higher Education Act, and in 1968, Student Support Services joined these two programs, approved by Higher Education Amendments. Together, the three programs were coined “TRIO.” Later, more programs were added to meet the needs of various student populations. Educational Opportunity Centers were added in 1972 and the Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs began in 1976. In 1986, the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program (called McNair) began to serve students (Department of Education, 2011). Veteran’s Upward Bound and Gear Up are now also considered part of the TRIO family. In an effort to increase students’ performance in mathematics and science courses, Upward Bound Math Science Programs began in 1990 (Muraskin, 2008)
Upward Bound operates year round and provides services such as academic support, college admission assistance, career counseling, community service and cultural activities.
