Upward Bound high school students pose with Flash, the
Kent State mascot, at a lunch at the Kent State Field House.

Kent State University’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and its Upward Bound Programs participated in Inspiration Day in November. Planned by Kent State’s Intercollegiate Athletics Department, Inspiration Day included events and activities for Upward Bound students and their families at various buildings across campus.

“The Upward Bound Programs of Kent State University assist high school students in developing the academic skills and motivation needed to successfully complete high school and to enter college upon graduation,” says Bonnie Richardson, Kent State’s program director of Upward Bound Classic and PREP Academy.

In the programs, students receive educational, cultural and social experiences to help them prepare and succeed in their future college careers.

Upward Bound high school students and their families came to Kent State for various Inspiration Day activities, including post-secondary, dual-enrollment options and college partner’s presentations. Students also were treated to lunch and activities at the Kent State Field House and later helped form a tunnel as the Kent State Golden Flashes football team took to the field at Dix Stadium for the game against The University of Akron.

“It’s wonderful to have our students engaging with academics, as well as socially enjoying the Inspiration Day event,” Richardson says.

Students engaged in activities designed by Upward Bound campus partners, including the College of Business Administration (CLASSIC Upward Bound Students), the College of Public Health (Upward Bound Public Health Students), as well as the College of Architecture and Environmental Design and the Department of Biology (Upward Bound Math/Science Bio-Scholars).

For more information about Kent State’s Pre-College/Upward Bound Programs, visit www.kent.edu/diversity/precollege/index.cfm.