Upward Bound Builds Independence Through College Exploration

When 36 students from the School of Education’s Upward Bound Siskiyou program visited San José State University during their summer field trip, many felt they’d found the right college for them. The school’s diverse programs and proximity to San Francisco appealed to them, but what stood out most was its campus size—big enough to explore, yet small enough to navigate without feeling overwhelmed.

“I come from a rural town,” said one student. “I don’t feel comfortable being on a big campus with a lot of people.”

The field trip was part of a larger effort to introduce the Siskiyou high schoolers—many whom come from lower-income backgrounds—to a variety of northern California universities so that when they’re ready to apply for college, they can make an informed choice about what to study and where to attend. The field trip leaders also hoped to strengthen the students’ sense of independence and adventure beyond their local communities, especially as first-generation college students.

“These students rarely get to leave Siskiyou County, let alone visit new places, try new food, or meet new people,” said Renee Johnson, Program Director of Upward Bound Siskiyou. “Many of them are getting this kind of exposure for the first time. They’re finding their footing and embracing a new kind of independence that will prepare them for life after high school.”

A Fresh Outlook on the Future

Over the course of five days, the Upward Bound Siskiyou students visited six colleges, including California State University Chico, Butte College, and Santa Clara University. In between campus tours, they met with UC Davis researchers, attended a theater production of West Side Story, and explored the Tech Interactive, a science and technology center in downtown San José.

Staying in the UC Davis dormitories was a major highlight for many of the participants. “When we stayed in the dorms, we didn’t know who our roommates were going to be until we got there,” one student said. “It gave us a feel for what college will actually be like when we arrive.”

The Upward Bound participants also saw their time spent with other high schoolers as an opportunity to discuss their own hopes and concerns about university life. In particular, they appreciated hearing from their peers and other college students that they don’t have to commit to one career track or university.

“We heard that it’s okay if you want to switch your major,” said one high school senior. “It gave us perspective that you don’t have to pick one thing and be set on it. If you find something else you enjoy more, you’re always able to switch over—and the college will help you do it.”

“We learned to always have a plan B,” another student said, “and not to be afraid to ask for help.”

New Pathways to Postsecondary Education

Upward Bound Siskiyou staff emphasize to their students that there will be support systems waiting for them on campuses. “Many of these students won’t have financial support or family backing when they go away to college,” said Crasandra Shelton, Upward Bound Siskiyou program advisor. “If we don’t show them now who they can rely on when they encounter challenges, it’s going to be really hard for them when they’re on their own.”

In addition to coming from low-income families, many of the program participants who go on to attend college will be first-generation students. Because of this, their time in Upward Bound is a critical opportunity for them to learn  about navigating university life while talking to students from similar backgrounds.

“This is the first time out of Siskiyou County for some of these kids,” program advisor Rose Wooldridge said. “They’re coming from communities where they might not have reliable internet access or even consistent power. It’s invaluable for them to come to these universities and see that they’re not outsiders—they belong there, too.”

Siskiyou Upward Bound find that strengthening their students’ sense of belonging helps them recognize the unique skills, perspectives, and contributions they bring to university settings as students from small, rural towns—and they hope that students will also bring their experiences back home to transform their own towns in Siskiyou County.

“These are students from regions with a long history of generational poverty,” said Johnson. “If they don’t gain some perspective on their hometowns, that’s going to continue. That’s why we tell them, ‘You can always come back. But go to school first, and then bring that new knowledge home. Go out there and gain new experiences that you can share with your community and use to inspire change in others.’”