WHEREAS, the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federally funded, competitive grant program designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education;
WHEREAS, GEAR UP serves low-income, minority, and disadvantaged students and their families from underserved communities who might be the first person in their family to go to college; and
WHEREAS, GEAR UP provides six- or seven-year grants to states or partnerships to deliver support and resources to students and their families, starting no later than the 7th grade (middle school), through high school and onward to fulfill their dreams of attaining a postsecondary education; and
WHEREAS, GEAR UP includes interventions such as tutoring, mentoring, rigorous academic preparation, financial education, and college scholarships to improve access to higher education for low income, minority, and disadvantaged, and first-generation students and their families; and
WHEREAS, GEAR UP is built around public-private partnerships, enlisting the formidable resources of government, business, and community groups to support low-income students as they prepare to enter and succeed in college; and
WHEREAS, GEAR UP programs support middle and high school students in getting prepared for postsecondary education across the state; and
WHEREAS, the week of September 26 – 30, 2022 has been declared National GEAR UP Week; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina is committed to providing a quality education for all students, helping them to achieve their highest potential;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 26 – 30, 2022, as “NATIONAL GEAR UP WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.