NMC receives grant renewal for Upward Bound Math and Science

Omaha, Nebraska - Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) received renewed grant funding for the Upward Bound Math and Science program.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Upward Bound Math and Science provides current high school students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) with resources to pursue higher education.

The program serves high school students who are low-income, will be first-generation college students or both. Students can join the program as high school freshmen and participate until their high school graduation. 

The $1.48 million grant is for 2022-2027. NMC first received funding for Upward Bound Math and Science in 2017 and offers the program to students at Benson High School.

“The work with Upward Bound Math and Science participants has a big impact,” said Jackie Lee, director of Upward Bound at NMC. “However, the needs at Benson High School among first-generation and low-income college-possible students are still there. This grant helps us continue to address the access to postsecondary education.”

Upward Bound Math and Science helps prepare high school students to be academically, socially and emotionally ready for college. The program provides college preparation support through tutoring, mentoring, financial literacy training, ACT preparation and college readiness.

Students can go on college visits and participate in work-study, which exposes them to careers that require a postsecondary degree.

NMC serves 60 students each year.

During the 2020-2021 academic year, 98% of NMC’s Upward Bound Math and Science participants graduated. According to Omaha Public Schools Research Division, 70% of eligible Benson High School students graduated. Eighty-seven percent of high school students in Nebraska graduated, according to Education Quest.

Of those Upward Bound Math and Science graduates, 80% enrolled in an institution of postsecondary education in the fall following graduation. Fifty-eight percent of graduates at Benson High School and 70% of graduates in the state enrolled in college in the fall following graduation, according to OPS Research Division and Education Quest.

“NMC participates in Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science because it aligns with our mission and core values. Specifically, as a community-focused health professions institution,” Lee said. “We recognize that to positively influence our community, we must address needs holistically. That includes the educational needs of high school students.” 

NMC also received a $1.4 million grant renewal for Upward Bound for 2022-2027. NMC offers Upward Bound programming to Burke High School students. Upward Bound, which is also funded by the U.S. Department of Education, serves high school students who are low-income, will be first-generation college students or both.