GEAR UP ACHIEVE’s goal is to significantly increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education
GUA will support 6,514-7th grade cohort in 29 counties across Alabama
Program runs 7 years, through students’ 1st year in post-secondary education (PSE)
Utilizes four evidence-based college-readiness objectives endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education
Four goals of Gear Up Achieve
Access to rigorous coursework that prepares students for (pse)
Assist students in completing critical steps for (pse)
Implement an advising program to support (pse) aspirations
Increase funding awareness and help navigate financial Aid
Service and Activities
Grades 7-9
Professional development support
Kuder Navigator Access
Visits to campuses
GEAR UP week
Summer Reading Institute
Mindfulness@ Auburn
Grades 10-12
Professional development support
Campus-based programs
College Advising
FAFSA workshops
Black Belt Legacy Camp
Dual-enrollment
GEAR UP week
Grades 11-1st Year PSE
Visits to IHE campuses
Dual-enrollment
GEAR UP week
College application and scholarship assistance
Bridge Services-support with PSE transition
Where we will be
Partners
Community Partners
Alabama Regional Inservice Centers
AMSTI Centers
Alabama Community College System (ACCS)
Alabama Commissioner of Higher Education (ACHE)
Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF)
Regions Bank
College Admissions Made Possible (CAMP)
Alabama Possible
CoBro Consulting
AU Partners
Auburn University Outreach
Department of Curriculum and Teaching – AU College of Education
Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation and Counseling – AU College of Education
Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology – AU College of Education
Academic Affairs/AU Provost’s Office
School of Kinesiology – AU College of Education
College of Science and Mathematics - AU
Who we are
Annette Scogin
Director, GEAR UP
Truman Pierce Institute
Office: 334-844-4113
Email
Cassie Montgomery
Communication Specialist
Office: 334-870-9973
Email
Andrea Rains
Region 3 GEAR UP School Liaison
Truman Pierce Institute
Office: 334-870-9957
Email
Cara Blakes
Region 5 GEAR UP School Liaison
Truman Pierce Institute / College of Education
Office: 334-870-9972
Email
Shannon Luster
Region 8 GEAR UP School Liaison
Office: 334-870-9929
Email
Imma Sanders
Region 9 GEAR UP School Liaison
Office: 334-870-9950
Email
Shayla Barnes-Holloway
School Liason, Region 10
Truman Pierce Institute
Email
Susan Hudspeth
Region 11 GEAR UP School Liaison
O: 334-844-4488
Email
To be hired
Assistant Project Director
Board Members
Alan Baker
Vice Chair, Educational Committee
Alabama House of Representatives
Email
Dr. Brenda Coley
Superintendent
Russell County Schools
Email
Dr. Hollie Cost
Assistant Vice President of University Outreach & Public Service Auburn University
Email
Dr. Jeffrey Fairbrother
Dean, College of Education
Auburn University
Email
Dr. Eric Mackey
State Superintendent
Alabama State Department of Education
Email
Dr. Robin McGill
Deputy Director for Academic Affairs
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
Email
Nick Moore
Education and Workforce Policy Advisor
Governor’s Office
Email
Dr. Linda North
Dean of Academics
Southern Union State Community College
Email
Maryam Saulawa
GEAR UP Alumni Student Representative
Auburn University
Email
Dr. Neil Scott
Vice Chancellor for Student Success
Alabama Community College System
Email
Sean Stevens
Program Coordinator, Instructional Services
Alabama State Department of Education
Email
Floresha Watkins
Vice President, Community Relations Manager
Regions Bank
Email
