UNLV's Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach has been awarded two GEAR UP Partnership grants from the U.S. Department of Education totaling more than $50 million. The grants will be spread over a six-year period, beginning this September with more than $8 million awarded for the 2005-2006 school year.

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is designed to prepare at-risk middle and high school students to enter and succeed in post-secondary education. Some of the programs offered through GEAR UP include tutoring, leadership development, career exploration, and college preparation workshops. In addition, the program offers financial aid assistance for parents and funds scholarships for GEAR UP graduates who qualify. Dr. William W. Sullivan, Associate Vice President for Student Life, serves as the program director.

"The GEAR UP program does a tremendous job of reaching out to at-risk students by providing them with the opportunity to be on equal academic footing," said UNLV President Carol C. Harter. "With the addition of the grants, we can continue to offer students the individualized support they need to attain future academic success."

The two GEAR UP Partnership grants bring a total award of $50,637,000 over the six-year funding period. The first year award, for the 2005-2006 school year, totals $8,439,500.

"This award is further proof that programs geared toward helping our more vulnerable populations gain access to higher education are still critical," said Nevada Senator Harry Reid. "I am pleased that this funding will allow more Americans the opportunity to progress through post-secondary education."

GEAR UP is one of 11 federally funded programs offered through the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach that serve Southern Nevada's growing student population. Since 1978, these programs have helped thousands of disadvantaged youth in Clark County achieve academic and career success in a wide range of disciplines.

This year, more than 15,000 students and adults have participated in programs offered through CAEO.