History

A Brief History of Upward Bound and TRIO Programs

The University of Maine at Presque Isle Upward Bound program has existed since 1980, and serves high school students in Ashland, Caribou, Central Aroostook, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Hodgdon, Houlton, Limestone, Presque Isle, Southern Aroostook,  Washburn, Katahdin, Fort Kent, Wisdom, Madawaska and Van Buren.

Upward Bound is one of five TRIO programs. TRIO programs were created by the Higher Education Act of 1965. They were designed to help overcome class, social, academic and cultural barriers to higher education. TRIO legislation is updated regularly through a process called Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

The original TRIO Programs were Upward Bound, Talent Search and Student Support Services. Today there are five TRIO Programs which include the original three (plus an Upward Bound math/science program), Educational Opportunity Centers and Ronald McNair Post-Baccalaureate Scholars Program.

TRIO Programs have a good reputation with Congress because we have the data to prove that the programs are effective. Each of you who is accepted into this program, or any TRIO Program, has a responsibility to work hard and do your best so these programs can continue to receive funding to help students in the future.

Funding for Upward Bound comes from Congress. It is allotted to each program through the United States Department of Education. In return for the funding, each program must submit detailed, yearly reports that show we are reaching our goals. The Department of Education also regulates the guidelines that dictate how each program is run. They have defined the mission of Upward Bound as follows, “…to generate the skills and motivation necessary for success in education beyond high school.”

The University of Maine at Presque Isle Upward Bound program encourages students to go beyond the easy and comfortable ways of doing things, challenging themselves with their educational experiences. We strive for open minds, self-pride, leadership, creativity and confidence and hope to foster or maintain open and positive communication, respect, growth, sensitivity and citizenship.