Seventeen Buffalo Valley GEAR UP students recently toured the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. The day started with Admissions Advisor Maddie Hardwick greeting students in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. Hardwick spoke with students about the process of admissions, financial aid, majors offered, and scholarship opportunities available to students. Following the presentation, students went on a tour of the campus led by Communications Liaison for Recruitment Hannah Warrington. Students toured the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, Gymnasium/Field House, Echols Building, Baldor Technology Center, Boreham Library, and the Lion’s Den dormitory. Following the tour, students were given the opportunity to as questions and experience campus life.
The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. Eastern received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant in 2017 and will serve more than 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.

GEAR UP Students Travel to Puerto Rico
Nine GEAR UP graduates participated in a 3-night, 4-day Global Leadership Summit in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Students encountered a wide range of experiences, from