Four goals of Gear Up Achieve

Access to rigorous coursework that prepares students for (postsecondary education)

Assist students in completing critical steps for (postsecondary education)

Implement an advising program to support (postsecondary education) 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

Exploring, exposure, and introduction to postsecondary education and career options

Grades 10-12

  • Professional development support

  • Campus-based programs

  • College Advising

  • FAFSA workshops

  • Black Belt Legacy Camp

  • Dual-enrollment

  • GEAR UP week

Searching for the pathway that is the next and right step for students

Grades 11-1st Year Postsecondary Education

  • Visits to Institutions of Higher Education campuses

  • Dual-enrollment

  • GEAR UP week

  • College application and scholarship assistance

  • Bridge Services-support with postsecondary education transition

Choosing the path that fits the need and goals of the students and making sure they have the tools and resources to be successful

Where we will be

  • Barbour (Eufaula and Barbour County)

  • Bullock

  • Butler

  • Chambers

  • Choctaw

  • Clarke

  • Conecuh

  • Crenshaw

  • Dallas (Selma)

  • Dekalb (Fort Payne)

  • Elmore (Tallassee)

  • Escambia

  • Greene

  • Henry

  • Jackson

  • Jefferson (Birmingham)

  • Lee

  • Lowndes

  • Macon

  • Marengo (Linden)

  • Monroe

  • Montgomery

  • Perry

  • Pickens

  • Pike

  • Russell

  • Sumter

  • Washington

  • Wilcox

Map of Alabama

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

Auburn University

  • 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

Jason Bryant, Ph.D.
Jason Bryant, Ph.D.

Associate Clinical Professor
Educational Leadership
Office: 334-844-4103
Email

Anna-Margaret Goldman, Ph.D.
Anna-Margaret Goldman, Ph.D.

Director, Center for Educational
Outreach & Engagement
Office: 334-752-1251
Email

Paul G. Fitchett, Ed.D.
Paul G. Fitchett, Ed.D.

Professor and Department Head
Department of Curriculum & Teaching, College of Education
Office: 334-844-6892
Email

Hollie C. Cost, Ph. D.
Hollie C. Cost, Ph. D.

Assistant Vice President of University
Outreach & Public Service
Office: 334-740-2897
Email

Annette Scogin
Annette Scogin

Director, GEAR UP Achieve
Office: 334-844-4113
Email

Keith Burrell
Keith Burrell

Assistant Director, GEAR UP Achieve
Office: 334-870-9959
Email

Cassie Montgomery
Cassie Montgomery

Communication Specialist
Office: 334-870-9973
Email

Andrea Rains
Andrea Rains

Region 3 GEAR UP School Liaison
Office: 334-870-9957
Email

Andrew Philon
Andrew Philon

Region 4 GEAR UP School Liaison
Office: 334-870-9962
Email

Andrea Bennett
Andrea Bennett

Region 5 GEAR UP Liaison
Office: 334-870-9972
Email

Shannon Luster
Shannon Luster

Region 8 GEAR UP School Liaison
Office: 334-870-9929
Email

Imma Sanders
Imma Sanders

Region 9 GEAR UP School Liaison
Office: 334-870-9950
Email

Shayla Barnes-Holloway
Shayla Barnes-Holloway

Region 10 GEAR UP School Liaison
Office: 334-870-9954
Email

Susan Hudspeth
Susan Hudspeth

Region 11 GEAR UP School Liaison
Office: 334-870-9940

Board Members

Alan Baker
Alan Baker

Vice Chair, Educational Committee
Alabama House of Representatives
Email

Dr. Brenda Coley
Dr. Brenda Coley

Superintendent
Russell County Schools
Email

Dr. Hollie Cost
Dr. Hollie Cost

Assistant Vice President of University Outreach & Public Service Auburn University
Email

Dr. Jeffrey Fairbrother
Dr. Jeffrey Fairbrother

Dean, College of Education
Auburn University
Email

Dr. Eric Mackey
Dr. Eric Mackey

State Superintendent
Alabama State Department of Education
Email

Dr. Robin McGill
Dr. Robin McGill

Deputy Director for Academic Affairs
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
Email

Nick Moore
Nick Moore

Education and Workforce Policy Advisor
Governor’s Office
Email

Dr. Linda North
Dr. Linda North

Dean of Academics
Southern Union State Community College
Email

Maryam Saulawa
Maryam Saulawa

GEAR UP Alumni Student Representative
Auburn University
Email

Dr. Neil Scott
Dr. Neil Scott

Vice Chancellor for Student Success
Alabama Community College System
Email

Sean Stevens
Sean Stevens

Program Coordinator, Instructional Services
Alabama State Department of Education
Email

Floresha Watkins
Floresha Watkins

Vice President, Community Relations Manager
Regions Bank
Email