The USU STARS GEAR UP program aspires to expand college readiness and the college bound culture in Utah. One way of doing this is to share successes and information on our programs through local news stories. This page contains downloadable articles mentioning schools, staff, and students associated with the program in the general media. For more stories and articles on the program, please visit our News & Highlights or Newsletter sections.
Eisenhower Junior High Students got first-hand knowledge of professional service trades during a “Lunch With a Professional” event in November.
USU STARS GEAR UP
December 19, 2025
Over one hundred American Preparatory Academy families joined online to learn about financial literacy. Everyone explored the basics of budgeting, managing debt and retirement planning.
USU STARS GEAR UP
December 12, 2025
Kennedy Junior High students eagerly entered the gym with their reality town book in hand, ready to take on a unique challenge – living life as 30-year-olds.
USU STARS GEAR UP
December 1, 2025
One hundred Ogden Preparatory Academy seventh graders excitedly hopped on a bus to learn about college life at a nearby university – Weber State University.
USU STARS GEAR UP
October 29, 2025
USU STARS GEAR UP hosted a combined 100 first-year college students to Northern California and the Pacific Northwest in August on two week-long bus tours. The trips were designed to give students the opportunity to learn first-hand about post-secondary education opportunities outside Utah...
USU STARS GEAR UP
October 27, 2025
Eight recent American Preparatory Academy West Valley II graduates traveled to San Francisco, California, in mid-July for the Youth Leadership Summit. The event challenged students to step outside their comfort zones, strengthen their leadership abilities...
USU STARS GEAR UP
October 14, 2025
Representatives of a nationally recognized youth empowerment program, Cool Speak, visited West Lake Junior High School in West Valley City, Utah, to inspire seventh grade students to prepare for the future. The three-day camp was aimed at middle school students to help them develop confidence and plan to attend college one day. The event was hosted by Utah State University STARS GEAR UP.
USU STARS GEAR UP
July 10, 2025
Utah State University STARS GEAR UP school site coordinators and college advisors met with various vendor partners to explore potential programming opportunities for the upcoming school year.
USU STARS GEAR UP
July 10, 2025
LOGAN — A group of middle school students from the Cache and Salt Lake valleys is taking part in a two-day camp at Utah State University. The camp is mostly focused on kids who may become first-generation college grads for their families.
KSLtv.com
July 9, 2025
Eighteen GEAR UP students who are enrolled in universities across Utah recently completed a 57-mile, multi-day rafting trip as part of a hands-on education experience.
Utah State Today
June 10, 2025
The smells of sizzling meats, chopped cilantro, fresh limes, and happy seniors filled the back common area of American Preparatory Academy’s West Valley II campus for a decision day celebration.
USU STARS GEAR UP
May 28, 2025
USU STARS GEAR UP college advisers welcomed students from the program's fourth cohort to decompress from the stress of finals on April 22 on the Salt Lake Community College Taylorsville campus.
Utah State Today
May 8, 2025
As GEAR UP graduate college students move through their first year, knowing what resources and financial support options are available is a definite boon. In January, our GEAR UP college advisors met with students to show them scholarship options, and how to apply for them.
USU STARS GEAR UP
Feburary 14, 2025
USU STARS! GEAR UP has been awarded two grants totaling $31 million from the U.S. Department of Education.
Utah State Today
January 22, 2025
When further academic growth is desired, it can be useful to know what your options are. The GEAR UP Transfer Bus Tour in December 2024 gave GEAR UP graduates at Utah colleges the opportunity to visit Universities across the state, and showed them what resources were available at each.
USU STARS GEAR UP
January 6, 2025
As finals draw near, GEAR UP advisors hosted Crunch Time: Nachos & Finals Prep. Advisors gave students self-care and study tips, while students enjoyed nachos, resources, and the company of a therapy dog.
USU STARS GEAR UP
December 6, 2024
At Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) West Jordan, GEAR UP students were given a tour of potential education options in the Health field, and learned more about the opportunities available to them as prospective SLCC students.
USU STARS GEAR UP
December 4, 2024
GEAR UP LEVEL UP hosted events this October for students to meet their Academic Advisors, and to help them get prepared for the classes to come. These events were hosted at Salt Lake Community College, and the University of Utah.
USU STARS GEAR UP
November 5, 2024
In order to help our GEAR UP graduates from Granite School District, the GEAR UP LEVEL UP team hosted GEAR UP & GO, an event where students and their families could network and learn about their options following high school.
USU STARS GEAR UP
September 25, 2024
GEAR UP graduates from Granite School District met with their new coordinators for their first year of college. Our GEAR UP team and site coordinators hosted "Welcome Back" events at the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College, where they familiarized students with the resources available.
USU STARS GEAR UP
September 6, 2024
Adventure and knowledge await! This June, GEAR UP students and staff travelled along the San Juan river, learning about biology, culture, and the environment, all while camping and boating in the great outdoors!
USU STARS GEAR UP
July 23, 2024
In June, students travelled to southern Utah to explore national parks, learn academic skills, and tour college campuses. This camp is an annual event in which GEAR UP students socialize and experience new opportunities, all guided by GEAR UP staff and college professors.
USU STARS GEAR UP
July 19, 2024
Exploring a variety of skills is key for students trying to decide what they want to study in college. At the USU Biology Camp, students had the opportunity to learn biology-related careers hands-on from a variety of professors and professionals.
USU STARS GEAR UP
July 12, 2024
Texas Instruments has opened the doors to our GEAR UP students, showing them the practical application of science. GEAR UP students from Kearns and Taylorsville High School had the opportunity to visit their facility, and learn more about their potential futures in the tech industry.
USU STARS GEAR UP
March 7, 2024
Logan High School GEAR UP students have been productive! During the months of January and February, students visited both Utah Valley University and Snow College campuses, as well as learning more about the process of completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
USU STARS GEAR UP
February 29, 2024
Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can be challenging! To aid with this, USU STARS! GEAR UP put together a FAFSA Night with the help from the USU Financial Aid Office, in which students and their families could get help filling out the FAFSA.
USU STARS GEAR UP
February 27, 2024
During January and February, Manti High School GEAR UP students had multiple opportunities to learn hands-on skills, the practical application of political studies, and recieve help preparing for college. From FAFSA night and Pathways Day, to tours of the Utah State Capital; Manti GEAR UP students have learned and shared quite a large amount!
USU STARS GEAR UP
February 13, 2024
Hands-on learning experiences are cruicial when a student is presented with many options for their future. GEAR UP students from the Granite School District had the opportunity to visit Texas Instruments, and learn more about their potential futures in the tech industry.
USU STARS GEAR UP
February 5, 2024
Graduating high school Seniors from the Granite School District share their experiences through the GEAR UP program, along with the opportunities that GEAR UP has provided them for the future.
USU STARS GEAR UP
January 30, 2024
Learning about the culture and facilities of a school can greatly help prospective students decide where to enroll. It can be a challenge, however, to learn everything that is needed about universities without visiting them directly. GEAR UP College Bus Tours give these prospective students the opportunity to visit many universities across Utah, and to see what truly makes them unique.
USU STARS GEAR UP
December 22, 2023
Most high school students struggle to keep track of everything they need to know heading into college, especially when given a wide variety of information from an even wider array of sources. On December 1st and 2nd, GEAR UP high school students had the opportunity to attend the College Prep Retreat, an overnight event with the goal of answering important questions about college registration and financial aid.
USU STARS GEAR UP
December 5, 2023
The college application experience can be intimidating, especially for high school students that are juggling their own academic responsibilities at the same time. In order to help their students, Manti High School had their "College Application Week", with various events and visitors making up the schedule. Because of this event, students were provided with useful resources and information to assist their futures.
USU STARS GEAR UP
December 4, 2023
Each year, Southern Utah University (located in Cedar City, UT) hosts an event known as Red Riot. At this event, high school students are able to stay overnight and experience an exciting sample of the SUU culture, while also learning about scholarship opportunities, class information, and the campus layout. This year, five GEAR UP students were able to attend Red Riot, which they described as an incredible event.
USU STARS GEAR UP
November 22, 2023
The Mountain West Grand Prix 2023 was held on April 25 at the Utah Motorsports Campus. Students from various schools in Utah participated in the 8th annual Greenpower electric car racing event, which offers a hands-on STEM education challenge for students to learn by doing and interacting with their peers.
USU STARS GEAR UP
May 10, 2023
SnowBlast is an overnight program that allows high school students to experience campus life before starting college. Students had the opportunity to stay with a Snow College Ambassador and see what college life is like. They enjoyed a campus tour, dinner and breakfast, and a Snow College activity.
USU STARS GEAR UP
May 8, 2023
The Utah State University STARS! GEAR UP program offers several summer programs and activities aimed at improving learning and college readiness. These programs and activities take place at Utah State University's Logan campus, as well as Utah Tech and Southern Utah University.
USU STARS GEAR UP
April 20, 2023
CoolSpeak returned to Utah for a classroom takeover with 1,800 GEAR UP 11th-grade students in attendance. Students learned how to write poetry about themselves. Presenters also engaged students by sharing their personal stories and advice on writing winning scholarships and college application essays.
USU STARS GEAR UP
April 5, 2023
College Advisors are frequent visitors to GEAR UP schools. Their goal is to meet with high school students before they graduate and build connections. Our schools have done a great job of including GEAR UP College Advisors in school events, such as Talking Tuesday.
USU STARS GEAR UP
March 15, 2023
Engineering Education prepares both students and teachers of STEM to learn about engineering principles before students enter college. A recent article highlights the longstanding partnership that GEAR UP has had with the College of Engineering at Utah State University.
USU STARS GEAR UP
March 14, 2023
Marissa Tsugawa, a research professor in USU's Department of Engineering Education, recently received a $75,000 grant from the nonprofit Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP.
Utah State Today
March 03, 2023
Our GEAR UP seniors are making college enrollment decisions, securing financial aid, and planning for the transition from HS to colleges and work-based learning programs. By pursuing a 2-year degree, a 4-year degree, a certificate or industry-recognized credential, or the military, your students are showing their commitment to career and life goals.
USU STARS GEAR UP
February 16, 2023
Red Riot is a favorite college event with our schools. It offers GEAR UP students the chance to meet and mingle with college students and even stay in dorms while school is in session. Campus visits can be rewarding and fun and give our students a chance to learn about campus life and see it as an option after high school.
USU STARS GEAR UP
February 15, 2023
GEAR UP has partnered with the Student Success Agency to expand support for students.This partnership allows our students access to on-demand mentoring, tutoring, and other support via their electronic devices, and is available through their first year of college.
USU STARS GEAR UP
February 15, 2023
Students in the Granite School District spent a day in resilience training and leadership awareness. They learned about bouncing back from setbacks and how small changes can yield positive results. Students were given awards recognizing their own determination, resiliency, and contributions they make at their school.
USU STARS GEAR UP
February 10, 2023
Finding the right college fit doesn’t stop when you start going to college. Students sometimes learn what they want and find the need to transfer to a different school to make that happen. Benefitting from GEAR UP resources, they ask questions while searching for the best fit, one that will shape the rest of their life.
USU STARS GEAR UP
January 20, 2023
Many of our students are not sure whether college is a right fit for them. Those who do want to go to college are not always sure a college will meet their needs. GEAR UP College bus tours give students the chance to explore college options and college fit.
USU STARS GEAR UP
January 17, 2023
Students from across the state explored STEM topics and developed teamwork skills as they built and raced single-seat electric vehicles at the seventh annual Mountain West Grand Prix, organized by USU's GEAR UP program.
Utah State University/College of Education and Human Services
June 23, 2022
Tutor.com, one of the world's largest online tutoring services, is excited to announce its continued support of the Utah State University STARS! GEAR UP program, which helps thousands of students across the state set and achieve ambitious college-going and persistence goals.
Tutor.com Press and Media Center
June 17, 2022
Utah State University undergraduate Canyon Bryson put a lot of thought into two seemingly disparate STEM activities designed to introduce high school students to basic science and engineering concepts.
Utah State Today
June 8, 2022
The track at the Utah Motorsports Campus was alive Tuesday with the sounds of electric race cars for the 2021 Mountain West Grand Prix.
KSL News at 5
Apr 26, 2022
APA Students Build Electric Car with Solid Edge
Every year, teams of students around the world design, build, and race their own custom-designed electric car as part of events hosted by Greenpower Education Trust.
Siemens Blog
Dec 24, 2019
Robot Invasion: QCNR Helps High School Students Build and Test Submersible Robots
High school teacher Jill Kennedy prefers to go beyond books. She believes in encouraging her students to
get their hands on their projects —but not just the typical bridges built with toothpicks.
Utah State Today
Dec 2, 2019
Putting Students on the Path to Success
Over 13,000 students received services through the Utah State University STARS! GEAR UP program during the previous school year.
Utah State Today
Nov 12, 2019
The GEAR UP Initiative Comes to Granite Park Junior High
"The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative is one of the largest and most
effective programs focused on increasing the college and career readiness of low-income students in communities nationwide,"
according to the National Council for Community and Education Partnership website.
South Salt Lake Journal
Oct 3, 2019
Siemens and GEAR UP fuel Greenpower Utah Electric Car Challenge
Greenpower USA has launched its 4th annual Greenpower Electric Car Challenge on the Utah Motorsports Campus this past April 25th. Started in 2015 with a handful of schools taking part, the competition involves students working in teams to design, build, and race single-seat electric car kits from GreenpowerUSA.
Siemens Blog
Jul 9, 2019
USU hosts 200 students for middle-to-high school transition camp
Utah State University hosted 200 students from nine different schools for the fifth annual USU STARS! GEAR UP Transition Camp.
The Herald Journal
Jun 27, 2019
USU Grant Helps Students go to College
Eight years ago, schools that were not yet in the Utah State University STARS! program had some of the lowest high school graduation rates in the state. Few students at these schools (on average, only 16 percent) went on to college. Today, more than 3 times that number are completing their first year of college after participating in GEAR UP programming.
Utah State Today
May 28, 2019
Student-designed electric karts to race in Tooele
Schools from Cache Valley and all across Utah will come together for the 2019 Greenpower Electric Car Challenge on Thursday. The 24 teams attending the one-day event have spent months building single-seat electric cars to race at the Utah Motorsports Campus in Tooele County.
The Herald Journal
Apr 25, 2019
24 school race electric cars at Utah Motorsports Campus
Twenty-four teams for schools across Utah and Nevada ranging from elementary to college-aged are competing in the Utah Greenpower Electric Car Challenge.
ABC 4 News
Apr 25, 2019
Driven To Succeed: Utah Students Build Electric Cars And Gear Up For College
During this first installment of the UPR original series Driven to Succeed, we follow seven college freshmen designing and building a solar-powered electric car using a charging system that allows the driver to power the car in motion.
Utah Public Radio
Apr 25, 2019
Utah Schools Compete in Electric Car Races
Greenpower electric car challenges take place all over the country, and the world, promoting engineering and technology skills in students ages 9 to 25.
Utah State Today
Apr 16, 2019
Middle school students ‘Gear Up’ for higher education during College Week
Ephraim Middle School students experienced their first glimpse of college during College Week, sponsored by GEAR UP.
Sanpete Messenger
Mar 13, 2019
USU Awarded $16.9M Education Grant to Help Students Prepare for College
Utah State University STARS! has been awarded $16.9 million over seven years to help middle and high school students in Salt Lake County prepare to enter and succeed in college.
Utah State Today
Oct 16, 2018
“Climb College Mountain" with Stephen Koch at USU on Sept. 25
Utah State University STARS! GEAR UP is bringing motivational speaker and pioneering snowboard mountaineer, Stephen Koch, to USU. Koch’s talk, “Climb College Mountain” will take place Tuesday, Sept. 25, at 3 p.m., in the USU’s TSC Auditorium, Rm. 227. All are welcome to attend and admission is free.
Utah State Today
Sep 18, 2018
Snowboarding Pioneer to Speak at USU Sept. 25
The Utah State University STARS! announces their participation in National GEAR UP Week 2018, Sept. 23-29. This week commemorates the continuing success of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a college access program providing students and families the support and resources they need for college success.
Utah State Today
Sep 4, 2018
Summer App Camp Teaches Girls How to Code
What is an App camp? Jody Clarke-Midura is an assistant professor in the Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences program at Utah State University. She works with the App Camp which started a few years ago.
Utah Public Radio
Jun 5, 2018
Utah students build, race electric cars
Nineteen teams of Utah students spent months building the cars they took to the track on Thursday.
FOX 13 News
Apr 26, 2018
New Green Roof Display on USU Campus Engages Students
Middle school students and teachers from across the state were the first to see and learn about the benefits of green roof construction in urban spaces through a new interactive display on the Utah State University Logan campus. Participants were part of the USU STARS! GEAR UP program, a combined effort of the Colleges of Engineering and Education at USU.
Utah State Today
Aug 10, 2017
An app for that: Valley middle-schoolers build own apps at USU camp
Earlier this week in a computer lab at Utah State University, middle schooler McKell Balls set out to create a smartphone app.
The Herald Journal
Jun 29, 2017
Students Video Chat with Astronauts Aboard Space Station
For a short time on May 19th, Utah students had the opportunity to speak with astronauts orbiting 250 miles above earth’s surface on the International Space Station.
Utah Public Radio
Jun 1, 2017
Utah State Partners with NASA and Sen. Orrin Hatch for Live Feed from Space
Utah State University’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) program and Space Dynamics Laboratory have partnered with U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch and NASA to provide a live conversation between astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station and more than 200 students from across Utah.
Utah State Today
May 19, 2017
Students talk to space explorers in NASA downlink
In a once-in-a-generation opportunity, students from Northern Utah used a video call to the International Space Station to ask questions to two astronauts orbiting Earth on Friday morning.
The Herald Journal
May 19, 2017
Utah students participate in live feed from space
“Station, this is Houston. Are you ready for the event?” The event, held Friday, May 19, 2017, was a live downlink from the International Space Station (ISS), and the crowd was more than ready to meet the astronauts. Gathered from schools from throughout the state, more than 200 Utah students filled the Robert F. Bennett Research Laboratory at the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) in North Logan, with thousands more watching the broadcast from their classrooms.
CacheValleyDaily.com
May 19, 2017
Greenpower race: Sanpete teams sweep state
When it comes to successfully combining engineering, sustainable energy, and motorsports, Sanpete County’s students are the best in the state.
Sanpete Messenger
May 4, 2017
Utah students build and race electric cars
It may be the slowest race held at the Utah Motorsports Campus in Tooele, but that doesn't make it less exciting or important.
FOX 13 News
Apr 27, 2017
Students put their electric race cars to the test
Matthew King, a fourth-grader at the Edith Bowen Laboratory School in Logan, crosses the finish line during the USU STARS! GEAR UP Greenpower Invitational at the Utah Motorsports Complex in Tooele on Thursday, April 27, 2017.
Deseret News
Apr 27, 2017
Hatch to host space station downlink chat for valley schools
In a unique opportunity this coming spring, Cache Valley public school students will be able to speak to a U.S. astronaut currently aboard the International Space Station.
The Herald Journal
Mar 6, 2017
Logan High educator awarded Utah biology teacher of the year
The Utah Science Teachers Association has recognized Logan High School educator Shaunda Wenger as the Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year.
The Herald Journal
Feb 6, 2017
Out of this world: Logan High students test space seeds
A team of Logan High students had the rare opportunity to experiment with radish seeds that were launched into space on a Russian satellite.
The Herald Journal
Jan 11, 2017
