History

Upward Bound at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a federally funded educational program, designed to generate in program participants the skills and motivation necessary to complete a program of secondary education, and to enter and succeed in a program of postsecondary education. All activities and services are provided at no cost to participants. The Program serves students from Orange, Chatham, Durham and Lee County schools. Target schools served are Chatham Central High School; Jordan-Matthews High School; Hillside High School; Lee Senior High School; Northwood High School; Orange High School; Southern High School and Southern Lee High School. Upward Bound is a part of the School of Education on the Carolina campus.

For forty-two years, Upward Bound’s services to participating students include: academic instruction, counseling activities, cultural enrichment, mentoring, service learning, career education, tutorial and related services. Students participate in activities during the summer in the six-week residential program on the Carolina campus and at Afterschool and Saturday Scholastic Sessions at the target schools. Students in good standing also receive stipends. Program enrollment is 90 students, most of whom enter as ninth graders and remain with the program through completion of high school and the summer immediately after high school graduation.

The Program at UNC-Chapel Hill began in 1966 under Dr. William Greer’s leadership, as director. Ten directors succeeded him, with Dr. Joseph Green serving as the current director, since 2006. Over one thousand participating students have graduated from Upward Bound. Approximately 90 percent attended colleges and universities and an estimated 50 percent received degrees.

Graduates have distinguished themselves in many fields that include: education, banking and finance, law enforcement, humanities, food services, computer science, technology, research, theology, media and mass communications, school boards, elected public office, local government, business management, medicine, health fields, and other related fields. Dr. Freddie Parker, Ph.D., History, and Chair, History Department, North Carolina Central University; Francescina Register Jackson, Ph.D., Assistant Dean and Director of Teacher Education in the School of Education, North Carolina Central University; Dr. Gregory Headen, Psychiatrist, have earned terminal degrees; and Dr. Gail P. Hollowell, Assistant Professor, Biology, North Carolina Central University. Mr. Kenneth Chavious, Finance Director for the County of Orange, received an outstanding TRIO Achiever Award from the Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP) in Mobile, Alabama, in 1998; and Rev. Daryl Kearney received the TRIO Achiever Award from SAEOPP in Louisville, Kentucky in February, 2002. This honor, they share with previous award winners Drs. Parker and Jackson.

Upward Bound makes a profound difference in the lives of the students and parents it serves. According to Upward Bound Alumni, Dr. Freddie Parker (1971), “The American taxpayers can be assured that they are getting their monies worth in supporting the Upward Bound Program. Upward Bound was a turning point in my life. Upward Bound was an avenue to my personal enrichment and academic growth and development.”

In essence, Upward Bound helps students realize their potential by assisting them in developing their talents; self-discipline and motivation to succeed in education and life.

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