Before the program, she was very bashful and was looking for support. Afterwards, Collinsville High School senior Lessly Rodriguez-Garcia was noticeably more social and confident. 

According to Rodriguez-Garcia, she improved on many levels after participating for the past three years in SIUE’s Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) at Collinsville High School (CHS). 

“I used to be extremely shy and over time this program has helped me get over it,” confided Rodriguez-Garcia. “Whether it’s meeting new people or going on college trips, being part of Upward Bound Scholars Academy has given me vital tools to communicate, interact and step out.” 

Rodriguez-Garcia was able to develop these skills, in part, because of the program’s monthly advising. 

“I really like our monthly advising sessions,” she said, “Meeting once a month helps us find out where we are academically, mentally or physically. I also like the tutoring that is available to students.” She has a 4.1 grade point average. 

Because of Rodriguez-Garcia’s excellent scholastic performance and general conduct, she was selected to attend the National Student Leadership Congress (NSLC) at American University from June 10-15 in Washington, D.C. 

“I was one of approximately 130 students nationwide who attended the National Student Leadership Congress,” she noted. “Coming in, they said we would become like a family by the end of the conference. I did not believe it would happen until the end of the week. I developed a special bond with every one of the students I was grouped with, and I believe it will be a lifelong friendship.” 

“I also enjoyed the lessons,” continued Rodriguez-Garcia. “We were taught about having gratitude, patience, and above all developing friendships.”

Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) is a TRIO program federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. UBSA serves Collinsville High School students, ages 14-19, from low-income families and from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. 

Photo:
Upward Bound Scholars Academy student Lessly Rodriguez-Garcia.

It may appear to be a job to some, but to SIUE’s Christopher Cooper, he is operating in his “God-given” talent to serve as a mentor to youth and to help shape and mold their minds. 

“It’s a joy to see the greatness in children, although they don’t usually see it in themselves,” said Cooper, program director for the SIUE TRIO Upward Bound (UB) EC/MLC Programs.  

“I haven’t come across a generation of students I haven’t been able to connect with,” continued Cooper. “That is a blessing and an opportunity I don’t take for granted.”  

UB, which also incorporates a Math and Science program, serves high school students from East St. Louis, SIUE East St. Louis Charter, Madison, Lovejoy and Cahokia. 

Cooper began working for UB in 2018. He was promoted to director on June 3, 2022. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the programs, ensuring that they all adhere to grant regulations. He also directs recruitment and serves as the fiscal officer of the grant.   

“Overseeing three programs has been a blessing,” Cooper noted. “It has been an opportunity to grow and adapt. Over the past five years, I have learned the inner workings of grant-funded programs, and my team and I focus on ensuring that we prepare our students to get to and through college.”  

“We provide services and opportunities, classes, paid trips, life skills, study habits, public speaking, resume building, and ACT/SAT prep,” Coper added, “all to make our students ‘College Ready, Career Ready and Life Ready.’”  

Upward Bound programs help youth prepare for higher education and serves students from East St. Louis, Charter (EC) and Madison, Lovejoy, Cahokia (MLC) high schools. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition and STEM subjects on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. The quality services provided will prepare the students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs. Upward Bound is a college-preparatory program designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students who are currently in grades 9-12. Upward Bound is part of the SIUE East St. Louis Center.     

Photo: 
Christopher Cooper, program director for the SIUE East St. Louis Center’s East St. Louis Upward Bound (UB) EC/MLC Programs. 

The Learning Resource Center (LRC):

• 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, July 19 - "I Have Something to Say!"  Part 1 of 6-part series with RaMasha Harris (for ages14-17)
• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, July 20 - Summer Movie Series: "Red" and "Paws of Fury"
• 9 a.m. Friday, July 21 - In-person Storytime, "Too Much Slime" (slime activity to follow)
• 12-1 p.m. Friday, July 21 - Let’s Create: Tote Bags 
• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 25 - Summer Movie Series: "Sing" and "Sing 2"
• 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, July 25 - "I Have Something to Say!"  Part 2 of 6-part series with RaMasha Harris (for ages14-17)
• 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 - A Conversation with Janet Bonner and Joyce Anderson (part of the Adams Family legacy series) (in person and via Zoom)
• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, July 27 - Summer Movie Series: "Mitchells vs the Machines" and "The Terminator"
• 1-2 p.m. Thursday, July 27 - "I Have Something to Say!"  Part 3 of 6-part series with RaMasha Harris (for ages14-17)
• 9 a.m. Friday, July 28 - In-person Storytime, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "The Grouchy Ladybug" (caterpillar craft to follow)
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Friday, July 28 - LRC Book Club: "1^st to Die" by James Patterson (in person or via Zoom)
• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 - Summer Movie Series: "Toy Story" and "Buzz Lightyear"
• 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 - "I Have Something to Say!"  Part 4 of 6-part series with RaMasha Harris (for ages14-17)
• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3 - Summer Movie Series, "Super Mario Brothers" and "Dungeons and Dragons"
• 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3 - "I Have Something to Say!"  Part 5 of 6-part series with RaMasha Harris (for ages14-17)
• 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4 - In-person Storytime - "The Pigeon Has to Go to School" and "Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" (frame craft to follow)
• 12-1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8 - Lunch and Learn with Carrollton Bank: Beware: Learn About Some Common Scams (lunch at 11:30) (in person and via Zoom)
• 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 - "I Have Something to Say!"  Part 6 of 6-part series with RaMasha Harris (for ages14-17)

Veterans Upward Bound (VUB):

• Coming in August - 
• Open House for community and educational partners
• Veterans Resource Fair

• SIUE Upward Bound Students Help Save Lives with Annual Blood Drive
  Students and their families made their way in the hot temperatures on Friday, July 14 to participate in a critical activity to help save lives. 
  
  SIUE’s TRIO Upward Bound (UB) EC/MLC Programs held its fourth annual blood drive operated by ImpactLife Blood Center of Earth City, Mo., at the Wyvetter H. Young Higher Education Campus. 

• SIUE East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts’ Summer Session Ends in a Whirlwind of Razzle, Dazzle
  From the first electric dance number of Beyonce’s “Who Runs the World” to instrumental offerings of “Blue Bossa” by Joe Henderson, the stirring rendering of “Lovely” by Billie Elish and Khalid, and the grand musical and dance finale of “All Around the World,” SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts (PA) students delighted their audience from start to finish. 

• SIUE Upward Bound Students Help Younger Pupils Explore STEAM
  When it comes to elementary students better understanding science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education, several adolescents lent their abilities and skills to help further the valuable and crucial objective. 
  
  Students from SIUE’s TRIO Upward Bound (UB) EC/MLC programs participated in a STEAM Education Community Service learning project with students, (grades K-3) at ASP2 (A Special Place) STEAM Academy in Belleville. The project ran from June 22-July 13. 

• SIUE Upward Bound Scholars Academy Students Enjoy Summer Camp on Edwardsville Campus
  SIUE Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) students got an overview of what it would be like to be an SIUE Cougar on their first day of summer camp. Eighteen UBSA students from Collinsville High School (CHS) started their five-week residential summer program on Thursday, June 1, on the Edwardsville campus, according to Letrice “Lee” Young, EdD, program coordinator for SIUE’s CORE T.E.A.M. (College Readiness: Transition, Engage, Achieve and Mentor) Department, who planned the day.

• Student Ahmaya Mazyun Enumerates the Pluses of East St. Louis Upward Bound Programs
  The advantages of SIUE’s East St. Louis Upward Bound (UB) programs are life-building and far-reaching, according to UB student Ahmaya Mazyun. 

• SIUE Upward Bound Students Take on the Industrial Engineering (IE) Concepts During the IE Summer Institute
  SIUE Upward Bound Scholars Academy (UBSA) students briefly entered the world of product design, production planning and more during SIUE’s inaugural Industrial Engineering (IE) Summer Institute, held Monday-Friday, June 12-16 and hosted by the University’s IE department.