RIT Upward Bound Students Tour HBCU’s Over Spring Break | May 2024
Eighteen local high school students who are part of RIT’s Upward Bound program took a road trip last month over spring break. They participated in the annual HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) College Tour.
The students are from University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men (UPrep) and Young Women’s College Prep Charter School (YWCP). Over a period of three nights and four days in the Washington, DC area, students were able to walk on the campus and get a close up look at Georgetown and several HBCU’s: Howard University, Bowie State, Morgan State and Coppin State Universities. They toured academic buildings and lecture halls. Stops at campus bookstores to buy college gear was also very popular.
Victor Davidson, program director and Tiffany Terry, assistant director, TriO Upward Bound Classic both point out that many of the students haven’t ventured far from home, so in addition to being educational, it was exciting too.
In addition to the college tours, students were able to learn about important events in American history by touring multiple museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, historical landmarks, and monuments. They even enjoyed a dinner cruise on the Potomac River. Each event made an impression. The trip was a big hit.
Faythe said, “I appreciate the opportunity to see different neighborhoods and what the different college towns look like.” Bre’Niyah added, “I have a better understanding of the importance of visiting colleges of interest in order to find the best fit for me.”
That kind of response is exactly what RIT’s Upward Bound leaders are looking for. Terry says, “It was rewarding to offer this opportunity to the students and to hear of their immediate feedback.”
Davidson added, “Anything to get our students thinking of secondary education, I’m all for it.”