Baltimore, MD – (July 9, 2018) – Maryland Higher Education Secretary Dr.
James D. Fielder today announced that the Maryland Higher Education
Commission (MHEC) awarded more than $80,000 to two Maryland higher
education institutions that are working with disadvantaged youth to help
them plan for college.
The awards will benefit low-income communities under the Maryland Gaining
Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)
Leadership Development Program (LDP), which supports the advance of
leadership curricula, plans, and activities to prepare students for college
and career readiness. This six-year federal grant program (2014-2020),
sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, is designed to help students
understand their core values, leadership skills, strengths, and
goal-setting for future career plans through self-discovery and career
exploration projects, comprehensive mentoring, and project leadership and
management workshops.
The Maryland GEAR UP program instills knowledge and delivers services to
ensure that low income and underrepresented students are college and career
ready. It is a rigorous academic program of studies to develop the
instrumental skills needed to apply/enroll in college, obtain financial
aid, and complete postsecondary education. The program focuses on two core
academic areas, English/Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. GEAR UP
districts include Baltimore City, Dorchester, and Wicomico counties.
Maryland two-and four-year institutions were eligible to apply and partner
with LEAs for the grant. The following two institutions were awarded for
the 2018 funding cycle:
· Johns Hopkins University - $44,526.26
· University of Maryland, College Park - $43,099.99
