CSU Chico Upward Bound Projects

Thankful Thursday ✨

Today we’re recognizing two former Upward Bound advisors whose experiences reflect the impact and community that make Upward Bound so special.

Jasmine Ramos, an alumni of the program and former advisor, remembers helping set up a community computer lab as a student. Having never owned a computer before joining the program, she found it empowering to be trusted with such an important responsibility.

Maria Rivera Xiong fondly remembers the summer programs and the way students made the experience their own. Watching students build friendships, create memories, and form lasting connections was one of her favorite parts of being involved with Upward Bound.

Their stories remind us that Upward Bound creates opportunities, inspires growth, and fosters a community that leaves a lasting impact on everyone involved.

Support future generations of Upward Bound students through our Upward Bound Scholarship Fund. Donating even $5 will make a big impact for our students during college. ❤️

Today we’re highlighting two Upward Bound alumni who have come full circle and now serve the very program that helped shape their futures.❤️

🎓Chue Yang, Class of 2000, is Chico State Upward Bound’s Analyst Programmer.
🎓Vannessa Avelar, Class of 2015, serves as the program’s Office Manager.

Both are proud Chico State alumni who continue to support and inspire the next generation of Upward Bound students.

For Chue, Upward Bound was a window to another world.
Growing up, he knew college was important, but he didn’t know what it truly was or how to get there. Through Upward Bound, he gained the knowledge and guidance needed to navigate the college-going process and succeed in higher education. That experience helped him earn a degree, build a career, and help his family break the cycle of poverty. Today, he is one of thousands of Upward Bound success stories and continues to give back to the program that helped change his life.

For Vannessa, Upward Bound is her second family.
She credits the program for providing a welcoming and supportive community, opportunities for personal and professional growth, and valuable lessons in teamwork and leadership. Vannessa is especially grateful for the mentorship she received as a student assistant and now hopes to provide the same encouragement and support to the office assistants she supervises today.

Their stories are a powerful reminder that Upward Bound doesn’t just help students reach college; it helps them build brighter futures and inspires them to give back to the communities that helped them succeed.

Help us create more stories like Chue’s and Vannessa’s by donating to the UB Scholarship Fund. Every gift helps students pursue their college dreams and build a brighter future. ❤️🎓

🎓 67% of Upward Bound students earn a college degree.

At Upward Bound, students don’t just begin their journey to higher education… they finish it. Through resilience, support, and determination, our students are breaking barriers, earning degrees, and creating brighter futures for themselves and their families. ❤️

Help us continue funding future graduates by donating to the UB60 Scholarship Fund. Every contribution helps reduce financial barriers for first-generation students pursuing higher education.

✨ Thankful Thursday ✨

Today, we’re highlighting two of our incredible Program Advisors, Mai Yer Yang and Heidy Navarro, whose favorite Upward Bound memories remind us of the power of creating opportunities and meaningful experiences for students.

Whether it’s watching students take their very first flight, explore a new city, visit a college campus, or enjoy experiences they never imagined possible, these moments often become lasting memories that shape their confidence and future aspirations.

For Mai Yer, one unforgettable memory was hearing students cheer and clap when their plane landed during a college trip, a reminder that many of our students are experiencing these opportunities for the very first time.

For Heidy, seeing students explore new places, build friendships, and grow throughout our summer program highlights the impact that Upward Bound has beyond academics.

We are grateful for staff members like Mai Yer and Heidy who help create these life-changing experiences and continue to inspire our students every day. ❤️

What starts as a “maybe” becomes a plan, a goal, a reality.

Through college trips during the summer and academic year, Upward Bound students are exposed to campuses, opportunities, and experiences that help them envision themselves in college. We often hear students say those visits helped solidify their college choices and made higher education feel possible. 🎓

Today, almost every student in our program takes that next step into college because they are supported, encouraged, and exposed to opportunities every step of the way.