CSU Chico Upward Bound Projects

That’s a Wrap on Summer 2026! ❤️

We closed another unforgettable chapter in the story of TRIO Upward Bound at Chico State, and what an incredible six weeks it has been!

This summer, 154 students came together with 41 dedicated staff members to form ONE Upward Bound family.

Together, we accomplished so much:

🎓 18 rigorous academic courses including Statistics, Physics, Medical Terminology, Robotics, English, Multimedia Animation, Agriculture Science, and more.

📚 Nearly 50 hours of structured tutoring and 112 hours of classroom instruction to prepare students for success in college.

🤝 7 signature events, including our Career Fair, Bidwell Park Beautification Project, Student Showcase, Awards Ceremony, and Graduation Celebration; providing opportunities for leadership, service, career exploration, and community engagement.

But the numbers only tell part of the story.

Over the past six weeks, our students discovered new passions, challenged themselves academically, built lifelong friendships, served their community, and experienced college life firsthand. They grew not only as students, but as leaders and future professionals.

To our students, thank you for your hard work, resilience, and enthusiasm.

To our incredible staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment to changing lives.

To our families, alumni, campus partners, and community supporters, thank you for believing in our students and making this summer possible.

As we celebrate 60 years of TRIO Upward Bound at Chico State, we’re reminded that our greatest accomplishment has never been the number of classes we teach or events we host. It’s the students whose lives are forever changed because they dared to believe that college was possible.

Here’s to another unforgettable summer, and to the bright futures that lie ahead. ❤️🎓

Student Spotlight 🌟

Behind every dream is a student who has worked hard, overcome challenges, and stayed committed to their goals.

From future nurses, engineers, psychologists, therapists, architects, electricians, lawyers, and beyond, our Upward Bound students are preparing for bright futures while celebrating the accomplishments that brought them here.

Each spotlight shares what they’re most proud of and how Upward Bound has helped shape their academic journey. We are incredibly proud of their resilience, determination, and the goals they’re working toward every day. ❤️

🍎 Education Professional Edition | Upward Bound Alumni Spotlight

Teachers. School counselors. Student affairs professionals. TRIO leaders. Educational support staff.

No matter where their careers have taken them, these Upward Bound alumni all share one thing in common; they chose to invest in the next generation.

From kindergarten classrooms to college campuses, they’re encouraging students, opening doors, creating opportunities, and reminding young people that their dreams are within reach.

Their stories are a testament to the lasting impact of Upward Bound. The support they once received has come full circle as they now guide, mentor, and inspire students every day.

As we celebrate 60 years of Chico State Upward Bound, help us continue creating future educators, leaders, and changemakers.

Every donation makes a difference.
Donate $60 or more to receive a limited-edition UB60 commemorative T-shirt.

🔗 Donate today: https://www.nvcf.org/funds/upward-bound-scholarship

❤️ Share this post and help us celebrate these incredible alumni who are making a difference in education every single day.

🧠 5,400+ Hours Invested in Students

Late nights. Early mornings. Countless conversations.

For 60 years, Chico State Upward Bound staff have dedicated thousands of hours to tutoring, advising, mentoring, and empowering students to pursue higher education.

Now, you can invest in their future too.

Your donation to the UB60 Scholarship Fund helps remove financial barriers and provides deserving students with the support they need to continue their educational journey. Every gift big or small makes a lasting impact. ❤️

Donate today and help us fund the future.
https://www.nvcf.org/funds/upward-bound-scholarship

Parents & Families, You’re Invited! 🏆🎉

Please join us as we celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our Upward Bound students at our Summer Awards Ceremony!

📅 Monday, July 13
🕡 6:30 p.m.
📍 Performing Arts Center, Chico State

Throughout our six-week Summer Residential Program, our students have worked hard in rigorous academic classes, leadership activities, and college preparation experiences. During the awards ceremony, our teachers will recognize students by presenting Most Improved and Most Outstanding awards for each class.

This is a special opportunity to celebrate our student’s dedication, growth, and achievements alongside family, friends, and the Upward Bound community.

We hope you’ll join us as we recognize the hard work and success of our amazing students. ❤️

🩺🚑 Our Upward Bound students in Ms. Gunn’s Butte College Medical Terminology class recently had an exciting opportunity to explore healthcare careers through a visit to the Respiratory Therapy Lab at Butte College!

During their visit, students learned about the important role respiratory therapists play in patient care and got an inside look at the equipment, technology, and skills used in the field. They also visited the EMT Summer Course currently in progress, where EMT students shared their knowledge and demonstrated hands-on emergency medical skills.

Experiences like these help our students connect classroom learning to real-world careers and gain a deeper understanding of the many pathways available in healthcare. For students interested in medical professions, this visit provided valuable exposure to the skills, training, and dedication required to serve others in critical healthcare roles.

A special thank you to the Butte College EMT Program for welcoming our students and creating such an engaging and educational experience. We appreciate your support in inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals! ❤️

🥩🌾 Our Upward Bound students in Mrs. Enke’s Agriculture Science class had an incredible opportunity to visit the Meat Lab at the Chico State University Farm!

During their visit, students learned about meat science, food processing, animal agriculture, and the many career opportunities available within the agricultural industry. From food safety and quality assurance to livestock management, animal science, and agricultural business, students gained valuable insight into the diverse and rewarding careers that help feed our communities.

Experiences like these allow our students to connect what they’re learning in the classroom with real-world applications while exploring future educational and career pathways in agriculture.

We are so grateful to the Chico State University Farm for welcoming our students and sharing your knowledge, expertise, and passion for agriculture. Thank you for providing such an engaging and informative experience and for helping inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders! 🌱💚

Memory Monday ❤️

As we prepare for our annual Bidwell Park Community Service Day this Friday, we’re taking a trip down memory lane! 🌳✨

For years, our Upward Bound students have proudly rolled up their sleeves to give back to the Chico community by helping preserve one of our city’s most beautiful treasures, Bidwell Park. From pulling invasive plants and clearing trails to sharing laughs and creating lifelong memories, this tradition is about so much more than community service. It’s about teamwork, leadership, stewardship, and leaving a positive impact on the place we call home.

We can’t wait to continue this tradition with this year’s Upward Bound students and make even more unforgettable memories together. 💚

📸 Do you spot yourself in these throwback photos? Share your favorite Bidwell Park memory in the comments! 🌿