Upward Bound is a federally-funded college preparatory program designed for 9th- through 12thpgrade students at Abilene and Cooper High Schools. The ultimate goal is to help students enroll in a post-secondary institution immediately after high school graduation and graduate with a four-year degree.

The United States Department of Education provides funding through a grant, and ACU hosts the program. During the school year, academic tutoring sessions are held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. There are Thursday and Saturday sessions which students are required to come prepared for an advanced level of learning.

The Upward Bound program is looking to hire Summer Advisers for its 2011 summer session.

A Summer Adviser would be the equivalent of a resident adviser, said LaToya Crisp, Educational Coordinator of Upward Bound.

“A Summer Adviser’s role is to help mentor students and provide any information pertaining to college life,” Crisp.

Upperclassmen are preferred, considering age barriers between high school students and college students. Summer advisers provide a glimpse of life in college, said Crisp.

For the summer session, Upward Bound takes 55 students, six advisers and staff members on an “Educational Excursion” to visit college campuses.

“Last year, we visited New Orleans for one week which allotted a cultural experience of a life time,” Crisp said. This year, on their Educational Excursion, they plan on visiting Georgia or Texas universities for the week.

Summer advisers must have a flexible schedule, attend all training sessions, be willing to serve as an RA and exhibit a positive attitude for students. The Summer Adviser pay is $925.00, plus free room and board.

For more information on becoming a Summer Adviser, please call (325) 674-2713 or (325) 674- 2529.