Mission Statement

The mission of Upward Bound at Medaille University is to support first-generation college-bound high school students in Buffalo, New York, in their completion of post-secondary education. Through strategic programming, we will equip students with the tools necessary to complete high school and pursue their passions in college and beyond.

Vision Statement

The vision of Upward Bound at Medaille University is to empower and inspire students to break generational cycles of poverty and to increase the number of students in the City of Buffalo who enroll and succeed in post-secondary education.

Three Pillars of Focus

The three pillars of focus of Upward Bound at Medaille University is to deliver, develop and deploy. It is our goal to deliver to our students the best programming possible, providing them with the necessary information and tools for a competitive edge in today’s society. We take responsibility in developing our students to understand the importance of higher education, as well as cultural and social awareness, and to cultivate self-sufficiency. Through programming, exposure and college preparation, it is our goal to have fully equipped our students to deploy to their next destination, being post-secondary education.

Upward Bound at Medaille University Creed

This is our students' declaration and mantra, which is read every day, to remind our students of who they are and where they are going. We are Upward Bound!

I am college bound.

I am bound for success.

I am bound to always give nothing but my best.

There are no limits that can stop me.

I am bound to impress.

I am focus.

I am gifted.

I am driven, nothing less.

I am Upward Bound.

We are nothing like the rest.

The Upward Bound Academic Year Program

The academic year program consists of the fall session (September - December), and the spring session (January - June), held throughout the school year.

These sessions may include some of the following activities:

• Workshops on a variety of topics with a focus on personal development, cultural and social awareness, academic enrichment
• One-on-one academic and personal counseling sessions
• Career exploration and shadowing
• Homework assistance and tutoring in English, math, foreign language, and science
• College planning assistance and campus visits
• Field trips and on-campus activities
• Financial aid planning
• Scholarships and grants information
• SAT testing and fee waivers
• Incentive stipends
   

Mentoring 

Bi-monthly mentoring sessions are held Fridays and Saturdays, twice a month. The mentoring program is aimed at building a strong college-ready culture, but also focused on personal development and skill building. Some of the areas of focus for mentoring are problem solving, critical thinking, financial literacy, health lifestyles and building healthy relationships, effective communication, and time management.

The Upward Bound Summer Program

The summer session runs from July through August.

The Upward Bound summer program begins the first week of July. A six-week non-residential summer academy is held at Medaille University, where students commute Monday through Friday, to the campus from home, summer school, or work. For transportation to and from campus, students are provided with one Metro Summer Youth Pass, which is not replaceable if lost or stolen.

The summer intensive program focuses on intensive academic services, postsecondary planning, career readiness programming, college tours, and financial literacy. Each week the summer program concludes with a regional college visit. The academic component of the summer program provides a cross-curricular and project-based learning approach, integrating subject area instruction around a central theme, which will address an issue in the community.  The courses are aligned with a college preparatory curriculum and designed to strengthen academic skills.

Four days per week, participants will take courses in mathematics, composition and literature, foreign language, laboratory science, and PSAT/SAT/ACT preparation.

The summer program also features areas-of-interest courses for students to explore, such as photography and film, music, fitness, robotics, engineering and biomedical science.

The Upward Bound Summer Bridge Program

Upward Bound offers a summer bridge program to several of its high school graduates, to increase both college admission rates and the likelihood of post-secondary persistence and success. The bridge program is the final Upward Bound component.

During the six-week summer program, graduated high school seniors will have the opportunity to participate in a bridge program to help transition between high school graduation and college matriculation. Participants in the summer bridge program will be eligible to register for a three-hour transferable credit course at Medaille University to bridge the gap between high school and postsecondary education. In addition, participants will be exposed to the college culture through workshops, interacting with professors, navigating campus resources, and mentorship.

Eligibility

Federal TRiO regulations require that students must have completed the 8th grade, be between the ages of 13 and 19, and require academic support in pursuing a program in post-secondary education. All students must be from low-income families and/or be potential first-generation college students. The program requires that two-thirds of the participants in a project must be both low-income and potential first-generation college students. The remaining one-third must be either low-income or potential first-generation college students.

To be eligible to apply to the Medaille University Upward Bound program, students must meet at least one or both, of the federal requirements:

• Low-income household
• Potential first-generation college student (neither parent has a four-year college degree)

In addition, all prospective applicants must meet the following:

• Must be attending any of the following Buffalo Public School(s):
  • Math Science Technology Preparatory High School (MST)
• Be a citizen or national of the United States, permanent resident of the United States, or in the United States for other than a temporary purpose (prospect then provides evidence of intent to become a permanent resident)
• Receive a recommendation from their high school counselor or a teacher
• Meet the federal criteria based on family's taxable income and/or parent(s)' educational background
• Complete an application and interview
• Demonstrate academic need

How to Apply

In order to be considered to participate in the Upward Bound programs at Medaille University, and application must be filled out completed, signed and submitted to the Upward Bound office.

Apply to Upward Bound

or, print an Upward Bound application to submit to the office, at the address below:

Medaille University
Attn: Upward Bound
91 Humboldt Pkwy
Buffalo, NY 14214