Partners are a vital part of what we do through the GEAR UP grant. Through our Collective Impact Model, we identify strategic partners to help support the vision and goals of GEAR UP. We have longstanding relationships with some of our partners and others we are welcoming into this grant for the first time. Either way, we know that partnerships are one of our biggest assets to providing students, families, and educators with high-quality and meaningful resources to prepare them for educational success and allow them to reach for the future.
Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education
Along with being the grant administrator, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (State System) consists of 14 different state universities across the state. Since 2002, the State System has partnered with PA State GEAR UP to host college visits and summer camps, award scholarships and tuition waivers to GEAR UP students, and offer workshops and resources to help students succeed in their college journey.
Montgomery County Community College
For a lot of GEAR UP students starting at community college is a great stepping stone. Montgomery County Community College continues to provide GEAR UP students with academic support and summer camps.
Frederick Douglas Institute Collaborative (FDI)
FDI exists across all 14 universities of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. FDI is a network of scholars who deliver forward-thinking initiatives that promote inclusive excellence and enhance access and success, we seek to advance the state of knowledge and practice around educational engagement and achievement for historically underserved and underrepresented students.
The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program has partnered with GEAR UP for multiple grants to provide financial literacy workshops for families and information about the PA529 saving plan and other college savings programs.
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA)
PHEAA has continued to provide GEAR UP students and families workshops and resources focused on Financial Aid. PHEAA supplies toolkits and resources for GEAR UP district staff focused on Financial Aid and the FASFA application.
Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU)
PSECU is a long-standing partner of PA State GEAR UP’s. PSECU provides workshops and educational material for students and families on Financial Literacy. PSECU also provides our GEAR UP district staff with educational curriculum to provide students focused on financial planning, saving, and budgeting.
Cambridge Educational Services
Cambridge provides academic and test prep resources to educators in order to help students advance in their educational goals. Cambridge is partnering with PA State GEAR UP to provide academic resources in Math and English to help students pass Pre-Algebra and Algebra in 9th grade and prepare for the SAT/ACT in high school.
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Career and College Clubs (CCC)
NCCEP’s Career and College Clubs is a research-based career and college readiness program for grades 7-12. With student led activities, CCC provides a wholistic curriculum focused on college and career readiness, academic preparation, leadership development, social and emotional skills, and professional etiquette.
Oracle is computer technology corporation that provides cloud-engineering services and systems and database management systems to clients. Both Oracle’s national and local offices are partnering with GEAR UP to provide access to STEM resources and exploration for students.
Seeds Training designs and delivers educational programs that build life, leadership, and learning skills in students, teachers, and professionals around the world. Seeds will be providing GEAR UP students with engaging summer camps and providing educators with high quality professional development.
FulPhill is a local partnership that works one on one with our school districts to provide mentoring and essential non-cognitive and leadership skills for students.
FHI360 Serves as GEAR UP’s external evaluator. Through focus groups and data college, FHI360 provides PA State GEAR UP with valuable feedback about our programming, impact, and implementation within each district.
We are always looking for more partners to help us make GEAR UP a success. If you are interested in partnering with PA State GEAR UP, please contact the Program Manager, Amber Kelly (Click for Email) for more information.