Berea, KY—The Berea College Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP, Partnership had its annual Partnership-wide meeting Wednesday, September 19th.  Once a year, GEAR UP representatives from counties around Kentucky come together to review the programs’ impact on participating schools, and plan the future of the partnership.

The morning meeting began with breakfast at Boone Tavern, with exhibits of each school’s GEAR UP activities on display in the hotel lobby.  The meeting then moved to the Boone Tavern Oak Room, where attendees were welcomed by Dreama Gentry, the J.D. Director of GEAR UP.  Next, Berea College President Larry Shin gave opening remarks, discussing renovations to the future location of GEAR UP offices, and the Spellings Report.

Following the president’s remarks, speakers reflected on GEAR UP, and the effect the program had on their lives.  The varying pieces of the GEAR UP puzzle were represented in the talks: a grandparent of a GEAR UP student, a Berea College student participating in the program as part of the college’s labor commitment, a county GEAR UP coordinator, and an Instructional Coordinator specializing in professional development all spoke about their involvement with GEAR UP.

After GEAR UP Team photos were taken, each team then met in individual breakout rooms.  The small groups discussed upcoming plans, shared success stories from year one of the program, and identified areas for improvement for GEAR UP.

The groups then convened at Woods-Penniman Commons, and discussed topics addressed in the team meetings.  The morning finished with lunch at the Boone Tavern Dining Room.

Pam Bennett spoke about having a grandchild in GEAR UP at Madison Middle School.  She talked specifically about the benefits of “Homework Help”, a program instituted by Madison Middle’s GEAR UP Coordinator, Rochelle Garrett.

Kristina Keck, a Berea College Senior, described the change GEAR UP had on her post-graduation plans.  A Chemistry major, she intended to be a pharmacist, but after working with students at Berea Community School, she wants to teach Chemistry.