Contact:
Kenneth Mitchell
kmittchell@shawu.edu
919-829-5569 or 
919-546-8260
For Immediate Release

Shaw University recently received funding to fund an Upward Bound Program
Raleigh, NC – April 13, 2004 – Shaw University recently received funding for a $1.1 Million grant over five years ($220,000 per year) to fund an Upward Bound Program for high school students in Edgecombe County, NC. The program aims to address the academic, social, and economic conditions that may pose serious problems for potential first generation college students at Southwest Edgecombe High School. Through rigorous training in the classroom, students will gain educational opportunities and motivation to pursue collegiate or vocational training upon completion of high school. 

“We must shift our collective thinking from a position where college is considered a privilege, because it is not. Higher education is no longer discretionary. College ought to be the goal for every student!” exclaims Program Administrator, Dr. Kenneth Mitchell, who also serves as Assistant Professor of Management in the Department of Business and Public Administration at Shaw University. 

The Upward Bound Program will provide enrichment courses during the school year in Edgecombe County at Shaw University’s Rocky Mount Center for Alternative Programs in Education (CAPE) and also during the summer. The summer program is scheduled for five weeks in June and it will be held at Shaw University’s main campus in Raleigh and will include numerous cultural, social and recreational activities designed to broaden students’ awareness and appreciation of the world. 

To enhance their learning experience, the program will culminate with a trip to Harlem, NY, to provide students with an opportunity to experience the rich tradition of their heritage.

This year’s theme for the Program is “Harlem on My Mind: Learning and Living the Harlem Renaissance.” The Harlem Renaissance occurred in the 1920’s and 30’s and generally centered on the vast amount of creativity in the area of the arts from the African American population in the upper and lower part of Manhattan in New York City. This renaissance helped to redefine African-American expression and encouraged the African-American population to respect their heritage.

“The Harlem Renaissance theme will be integrated in the intense curriculum, fusing it with traditional instruction. This will encourage students to delve into their own creativity, thereby revealing their hidden skills imbedded in their culture and improving their self-confidence and motivation as they continue to excel,” said Dr. Mitchell. 

For more information or to request and application, contact Jasmin Chitty in Shaw University’s Upward Bound Program Office at 252-442-8008.

Shaw University, founded in 1865, is the oldest historically Black institution in the South. Since 2003, the University has been under the leadership of Dr. Clarence G. Newsome. President Newsome’s leadership pursues the theme: " Strides to Excellence: Only the Best!"