First-Year University Students Learn About New Opportunities During Bus Tours
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. The combined trips took students to 10 universities, where they learned about various academic programs and higher education opportunities through guided and self-guided tours.
Students touring universities
Exploring northwestern educational opportunities
Hands-on marine biology experience!
“I enjoyed the self-guided tours a lot more just because I get to explore on my own,” said Cristopher Nino, a first-year Utah State University accounting student, who joined the Northern California tour.
USU STARS GEAR UP is a federally funded grant program at USU that works with schools in under-resourced areas across Utah to provide college and career readiness and support.
“When students go on these tours, they can see the possibilities out there and gain a better understanding of scholarships, fields of study and career opportunities,” said Jason Payne, director of the fourth cohort of USU STARS GEAR UP, which includes schools in Granite School District.
Students on the Northern California trip said their favorite campuses were the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University, where cutting-edge academic research and medical field opportunities stood out from other universities.
“It was great to see the best of the best and what’s achievable,” said Sanel Odobasic, a first-year University of Utah mechanical engineering major.
One student interested in going into a medical specialty is now considering transferring to UC Berkley.
“I think just being able to get out of Utah and see what my other options are is great,” said Alondra Hernandez, a University of Utah pre-nursing student.
On the Pacific Northwest trip, sports fans favored the University of Oregon, while others were fascinated by the Hatfield Marine Science Center at Oregon State University.
“It was cool because they explained how the building is designed to withstand a tsunami. said Faustino Landa, a Salt Lake City Community College biology major.
For many students, being able to step onto a campus made the idea of attending school there something they could envision.
“Understanding the pricing and transfer process seemed a lot easier than I thought it was going to,” said Braiden Nordfelt, a Salt Lake Community College and Utah Technical Training Alliance student.
During the Northern California tour, one student was intrigued by the University of California, Santa Cruz because the tour guides spoke specifically about that student’s educational interests.
“I did like how they talked more about humanities and social services majors. Other places I’ve toured only talk about business, engineering and STEM fields,” said Sicora Henline, a Utah State University psychology major.
Trip organizers worked to showcase a variety of campus sizes for the students so they could get varying perspectives. Larger universities included Central Washington University, San Jose State University, and San Francisco State University. At the same time, smaller campuses such as the University of Puget Sound and University of San Francisco offered a fresh perspective.
“It was interesting to see how a smaller campus, with the class sizes and the different experiences you can get there, compared to a larger university,” Nordfelt said.
The tours motivated some students to research out-of-state options immediately, while others left feeling more confident about their in-state choices.
“It made me appreciate my school a lot more. I attend Utah State, and the way all the buildings are laid out and, comparing costs made me confident in where I'm at,” said Medley Booth, a Utah State University elementary education major.
Students on both trips enjoyed learning about higher education and exploring a new area they’d never explored before.
“I honestly wouldn't have seen the Golden Gate Bridge or Redwood State Park if it wasn't for this trip, and those places have been on my bucket list, forever,” Henline said.
The Northern California trip also inspired some post-high school students to start pursuing higher education opportunities.
“It showed me that I want to attend college and maybe learn more about getting started. I've always been scared to take that step,” said Shae Hammond, who hopes to work in the medical field one day.
The ongoing impact of USU STARS GEAR UP extends far beyond university tours. Students receive access to services such as tutoring, financial aid nights, and summer camps. Booth noted that USU STARS GEAR UP paid her fees to take Advanced Placement tests, while others said the program motivated them to finish high school and pursue higher education.
“Learning about college from GEAR UP made me want to go and not go because I was told growing up,” Landa said.
The program has received a no-cost extension from the US Department of Education to serve 850 students from qualifying high schools who have not yet enrolled in post-secondary education opportunities or gone through career-ready training. The funding extension ensures that more students from under-resourced communities can access similar trips and services.
“I love hearing students talk about getting the scholarship or applying for their dream school because of our program,” said Payne. “We see it in the data, but hearing it from them is very meaningful.”