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

  • Barbour (Eufaula and Barbour County)

  • Bullock

  • Butler

  • Chambers

  • Choctaw

  • Clarke

  • Conecuh

  • Crenshaw

  • Dallas (Selma)

  • DeKalb

  • 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

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

Jason Bryant
Jason Bryant

Director, Truman Pierce Institute
Associate Clinical Professor, Educational Leadership
Office: 334-844-4103
Email | Bio

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

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

Paul Fitchett
Paul G. Fitchett, Ed.D.

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

Hollie Cost
Hollie C. Cost, Ph. D.

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

To be hired

Project Director

To be hired

Assistant Project Director

To be hired

Communication Specialist

School Liaisons (7)

Support students across the state

Board Members

Alan Baker
Alan Baker

Vice Chair, Educational Committee
Alabama House of Representatives
Email

Brenda Coley
Dr. Brenda Coley

Superintendent
Russell County Schools
Email

Hollie Cost
Dr. Hollie Cost

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

Jeffrey Fairbrother
Dr. Jeffrey Fairbrother

Dean, College of Education
Auburn University
Email

Eric Mackey
Dr. Eric Mackey

State Superintendent
Alabama State Department of Education
Email

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

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