A group of GEAR UP parent advocates – known as Parent Ambassadors – spent a weekend in August at UCLA, living in the dorms, exploring academics and participating in college… Read more
Our Stories
Students Train to Become Peer College Mentors During PAL
GEAR UP Peer Mentors boosted their higher education knowledge and laid the foundation for becoming future peer college mentors during the two-day Peer Academic Leadership (PAL) conference held at UCLA.… Read more
Students Enhance Career, Academic Knowledge During CAPA
Rising sophomores and juniors spent two days this summer learning how to be leaders, experiencing the college-going process and exploring potential career pathways while immersing themselves in the prestigious UCLA… Read more
Peer Mentors Build Community, Leadership Skills this Summer
GEAR UP Peer Mentors in August took part in an empowerment academy that included team-building exercises, moments of self-reflection and activities that emotionally connected students with their values – all… Read more
Students Delve Into College Life at CSU Dominguez Hills
GEAR UP Class of 2024 students took a step closer to college as part of the six-week Toros Summer Academy at Cal State Dominguez Hills, during which they took enrichment… Read more
Students Pave Pathway to New Math Levels during JEM
Over 600 10th- and 11th-grade students participated in GEAR UP 4 LA’s first in-person Jaime Escalante Math (JEM) program since 2019, challenging students to take an accelerated math class in… Read more
Students Explore Self-Empowerment During OXY Summer Academy
Exploring social justice through the arts isn’t new – but for GEAR UP students, this summer’s inaugural Occidental College Academy was an opportunity to elevate their voices and feel empowered… Read more
Newsletter | August 2022
Want to learn more about GEAR UP? Check out our August e-newsletter! Catch up on all things GEAR UP 4 LA by signing up for our monthly e-newsletter!
A Message from Project Director Janicia Centeno-Castillo
New beginnings always bring fresh possibilities to help our students realize their full potential. As an Equity Warrior and fierce champion of GEAR UP 4 LA since 2008, I am… Read more
Aspiring Doctor Wins $20K Warren Christopher Scholarship
South Gate High School student Diamond Monique Luna is one of 15 scholars – out of 128 nominees across Los Angeles Unified high schools – to win the coveted $20,000… Read more
Newsletter | June 2022
Want to learn more about GEAR UP? Check out our June e-newsletter! Catch up on all things GEAR UP 4 LA by SIGNING UP for our monthly e-newsletter!
Coming of Age – Backwards: A Message from Lois Bramwell
Education was never part of my plan. It snuck its way into my life when I started volunteering in my daughter’s first-grade classroom. A new world opened up, one where… Read more