Forty-one GEAR UP students from Coalgate High School recently traveled to Ada, OK, to tour the campus of East Central University (ECU). Ashlee Heck, Director of Admissions & Recruitment, greeted the students and gave a brief overview of the upcoming day.

Following the introduction, students participated in the Ada Area-Wide College Fair held in ECU’s Chickasaw Business & Conference Center. During the fair, GEAR UP seniors had the opportunity to visit booths of over 40 area colleges, universities, and trade schools, and gather information about them. Students met with college representatives who shared information about available programs and career pathways.

After dining in ECU’s Taff Cafeteria, Admission Recruiters Libby Tomlin and Antonio Farrington led students on a guided campus tour. The tour began in the Bill S. Cole University Center where recruiters explained the application and admissions process. Students then visited the University Center which houses the intramural gym, workout center, swimming pool, and cinema as well as a small café and study area.  Additional stops on the tour included the library and classroom facilities. The tour ended with a question-and-answer session.

The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP program. 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.