News & Events

May 5, 2009

UVU Gear Up Student to Study at Oxford

With high academic aspirations to pursue a college education in anthropology and paleontology, Nia Jamshidi and her parents emigrated from Iran to the United States to increase her chances of accomplishing that goal.

Jamshidi, who currently is a sophomore at East High School in Salt Lake City, overcame the struggles of culture shock and working with a new language and is now excelling in honors and advanced placement classes. She also participates in Utah’s statewide federally funded GEAR UP Education Program, sponsored by Utah Valley University.

The program is for high school students who are low-income, have good attendance, are motivated to attend post-secondary education or training and are willing to commit to attending GEAR UP activities. The goals of the program are to help students with competency, preparedness and scholarships.

"Participating in the GEAR UP program provides greater opportunities and access for college readiness," said Sharon Bluth, assistant director of UVU’s GEAR UP program. "Our counselors help parents and students navigate through the often challenging process of preparing for higher education."

Students must apply with parental permission and support.

Jamshidi and her GEAR UP counselor came across the Oxbridge Academic Program at Oxford and Cambridge, which she applied for and was later accepted. In addition, the Oxbridge Academic Program awarded her a $3,500 scholarship to help pay tuition for this summer’s program.

For more than two decades, the Oxbridge Academic Programs has brought thousands of middle and high school students to Oxford and Cambridge for imaginative teaching, experiential learning and cultural enrichment.

"It is such an honor for any student to receive an award such as this," Bluth said. "When you consider the challenges many of our students face, it is particularly rewarding when a GEAP UP student is recognized. We have wonderful GEAR UP counselors who make a huge impact on the lives of these students. We celebrate the success of every student."

UVU submitted the grant application for the GEAR UP program in April 2005 and received approval later that year. The grant period began Sept. 1, 2005, and will expire in Aug. 31, 2011. UVU was awarded a grant amount of $18.6 million, half of which goes for scholarships for GEAR UP students.

Last year, the program, which has partnerships with the College of Eastern Utah, Salt Lake Community College and Utah State University, served 2,439 students from 14 school districts statewide.

Written by:
Jay Hinton
(801) 863-8504