Southern Arkansas University’s two Upward Bound program were recently given $4,000 by the Arkansas Lottery Commission and its two international vendors.
These grants were a part of a statewide gift of $40,000 for all the Arkansas Upward Bound programs to improve technology-based education for UB students.
“The Arkansas Lottery Commission takes pride in helping deserving students prepare to attend college and achieve great things,” said Lottery Director Bishop Woosle. “Commissioner Ben Pickard came up with this idea when he was Chairman, and worked hard to make it happen.”
Representatives from the Arkansas Lottery Commission, Intralot and Scientific Games presented awards on October 6 at the Arkansas Association of Student Assistance Programs (AASAP) Fall Conference. Each program in the state received $2,000. Debbie Guevara and Mary Iverson accepted awards for SAU’s two Upward Bound programs.
“This technology will provide students the opportunity to receive tutoring, ACT preparation and skill-building tools to help them be successful in their classes,” said Eunice Walker, SAU director of student support services and executive TRiO director.
TRiO Upward Bound and several other similar TRiO programs were originally established by the federal government in 1965 to ensure equal educational opportunity for all Americans, regardless of race, ethnic background, or economic circumstance. In many communities, these programs are some of the only programs available that help students overcome the class, social, academic and cultural barriers to higher education.
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