Students from high schools in Covington and the surrounding counties use LBWCC’s Upward Bound program to prepare potential first-generation college students for college and general success beyond high school.

“We help prepare them for college and life after high school through several different programs,” counselor and curriculum coordinator William Hines said. “Right now, they are in the middle of our six-week residential program.”

Hines said the six-week residential program helps give students a feel for the college experience.

“During these six weeks, they live on campus and attend classes and lectures, just like they were in college,” Hines said. “They stay on campus in the dorms Monday through Wednesday and go home for the weekend on Thursday. It’s something they really enjoy and it gives them a real feel of what college is like.”

The students go through an intensive program of study and activities during the six-week summer program.

“Today, we have a lady that the South Alabama AHEC group sent in to teach an ACT prep course,” Hines said. “She will give them practice exams and teach them the best way to prepare for these types of standardized tests.”

Hines said that the Upward Bound program has four main objectives: to assist in preparing students from Butler, Covington and Crenshaw Counties for post-secondary training, to teach the skills necessary for success beyond high school, to assist students in making realistic school and career choices consistent with their interests, needs and abilities, and to expose students to the alternatives available to them in the areas of school, career and leisure activity.

Besides the six-week summer program, Upward Bound also offers an academic year program. During the school year, classes meet 14 Saturdays between September and May, with students following a schedule based on their current high school courses. Activities include cultural trips, guest speakers and special events.

For an application or additional information visit the LBWCC-Upward Bound website under student services, or contact Bridges Anderson at 881-2247 or William Hines at 881-2244.