Ryan Morgan a senior at Meridian High School is in his third summer learning how to be a college student. He is part of Boise State University’s TRIO Upward Bound, a federally funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The program has been funded since 1964 nationwide and in the Treasure Valley since 1983.

“I’m learning how to discipline myself better because you have to be disciplined for college courses,” Morgan said. “I’m taking high school classes, but the teachers gear the assignments as if we are in college.”

Nearly 135 low-income high school teens are participating in the six-week academic summer accredited program. Students are taking high school credit classes, interning in their chosen career field and visiting colleges in the region.

“This program helps first-generation students find educational opportunities when it comes to going to college,” said Jaime Campbell, project director. “It changes lives and these students don’t tend to have a voice – we are here to prepare them and teach them how to be a successful student.”

Morgan plans to apply to Utah State University and major in music therapy.

“I would say I’m prepared to go to college and believe I have a fair grasp of what to expect. We get to live at the dorms at BSU and it gives us the experience,” Morgan said. “I would recommend TRIO to other students.”

The program provides services to seven high schools: Nampa, Caldwell, Borah (Boise), Capital (Boise), Meridian (West Ada), Owyhee (Nevada) and Rimrock (Bruneau-Grand View).

“There are so many more things than the academic pieces that students need — social support, confidence, motivation and the belief in themselves,” Campbell said.

For more information about the TRIO Upward Bound program at Boise State University, click here.

Note: Idaho Education News is housed at Boise State University under the Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies.