WSU Tri-Cities Awarded $23 Million to Help Region’s Middle School Students Overcome Barriers to Higher Education

November 20, 2008

The Early Outreach Program based at Washington State University Tri-Cities worked with 17 school districts and 19 community partners in the region to receive $23.2 million in the form of two six-year competitive grants from the U.S. Department of Education under the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). GEAR UP helps middle school students receive guidance and assistance to prepare for and pursue a college education. “We are fortunate in these rural communities to receive such large grants to help more students achieve their dreams of going to college,” said Genoveva Morales-Ledesma, Early Outreach director. The WSU Tri-Cities Early Outreach program employs about 150 people who are based at schools throughout southcentral Washington.

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