Norco College’s Upward Bound (UB) Summer Program concluded July 30 with a celebratory
ceremony recognizing the achievements of 101 high school students from Centennial,
Corona and Norte Vista high schools who completed a six-week academic and enrichment
experience. Designed for first-generation and income-eligible students, the program
provides comprehensive college preparation through coursework, hands-on workshops
and real-world experiences.
Students engaged in a diverse selection of academic and personal development tracks,
including college classes through Norco College, STEAM with Woven, Lego Engineering,
Lab Science, Foreign Language through Rosetta Stone, Generational Wealth, Journey
to Wellness and Community Building. Twenty-seven incoming seniors also completed professional
internships across various departments at Norco College.
The program’s six field trips expanded learning beyond the classroom. Scholars tackled
team challenges at the UCR Ropes Course, explored arts and sciences at Balboa Park
museums, and investigated marine ecosystems at UC Santa Barbara’s REEF facility. Additional
experiences included training at the Student Leadership Conference hosted by the Southern
California Chapter of WESTOP at Cal State Los Angeles, TRIO Day at Dodger Stadium,
and an environmental wellness day at Huntington State Beach.
“Being part of the Upward Bound program all four years has kept me motivated,” said
Eric, a rising senior from Centennial High School. “Through concurrent enrollment,
I’ve been able to take college classes and offset fees while navigating the system
to graduate high school with my AA degree. Every summer, I leave the program feeling
more prepared and ready for what’s next.”
Students also participated in targeted workshops on writing, financial literacy, mental
health and college and career planning — while forming meaningful connections with
peers and mentors along the way.
Upward Bound is a college preparatory TRIO program that is 100 percent funded by the
U.S. Department of Education. Norco College hosts four Upward Bound programs: UB Centennial,
UB Corona, UB Norte Vista and UBMS Norte Vista, a math and science–focused program
funded through a new grant for 2023–2028. All programs are offered free of charge
to eligible participants. For more information, visit Upward Bound.