CSU Chico Upward Bound Projects

Memory Monday 🐾

As we kick off the 2026 Summer Program and prepare for this week’s Career Fair, we’re taking a trip down memory lane with some Career Fair throwbacks! 📸

For years, Upward Bound students have had the opportunity to connect with professionals from a wide variety of careers, ask questions, explore opportunities, and begin envisioning their futures.

✨ How many of you remember attending one of our Career Fairs?
✨ Alumni, have you returned as a professional to share your career journey with the next generation of UB students?

We’re still accepting professionals and organizations interested in tabling at this year’s Career Fair! Come inspire future college students and share what you’ve learned along the way.

💬 Comment below or send us a message for more information.

🎓 And as we celebrate 60 years of Upward Bound, please consider supporting our scholarship fund. Your donation helps reduce financial barriers and supports students as they pursue their college and career goals.

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.

Throwing it back to years of unforgettable Upward Bound memories. ❤️

These moments capture what makes Upward Bound so special; the friendships formed, the confidence built, and the experiences that opened doors to new possibilities. From summer programs and dorm life to leadership opportunities and lifelong connections, every generation leaves their mark on UB.

For 60 years, Chico State Upward Bound has been creating memories that last far beyond high school. ✨

🌟 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT 🌟

Every student’s journey looks different, and we are incredibly proud of the growth, determination, and accomplishments our Upward Bound students continue to show. ❤️

Whether it’s improving grades, balancing sports and academics, stepping out of their comfort zones, or learning to ask for help, these students are making progress toward their goals every single day. Their hard work and perseverance continue to inspire us!

We are excited to see all that these future teachers, engineers, psychologists, chefs, radiologists, and leaders will accomplish. 🎓

Consider donating to the Upward Bound Scholarship Fund to help make college feel less financially overwhelming for our students and support them on their educational journey. ✨

✨ 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. ❤️

Where Are They Now Wednesday ✨

Today, we’re highlighting two of our very own Upward Bound staff members who once sat in the same seats as our students. Both Cynthia Alfaro and Lluvia Valle-Santana are proud Upward Bound alumni who later returned to serve the program as tutors, Resident Advisors, and now Program Advisors. Their journeys are a reminder that Upward Bound is more than just a program; it’s a community that continues to inspire students long after high school graduation. ❤️

🎓Lluvia Valle-Santana, BA Psychology & Spanish
California State University, Chico
Lluvia shared that her favorite memory was her very first summer in Upward Bound. Although she felt homesick at first, her Coregroup and RA made her feel at home right away. She also remembers taking a coding class with Cesar and Chue, and still remembers the 0’s and 1’s needed for coding to this day. 💻✨

🎓Cynthia Alfaro, BA Psychology
California State University, Chico
Cynthia shared that one of her favorite memories was living in the dorms during the summer program. It was her first real experience with college life and helped her become more independent and responsible. She also built meaningful friendships with other students that made the experience unforgettable. 🏫✨

Programs like Upward Bound change lives and create lifelong connections. Help us continue supporting future generations of first-generation students going to college by donating to the Upward Bound Scholarship Fund. 📚

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.

✨ FUTURE FRIDAY ✨

Every dream starts with a goal, and our Upward Bound students are already putting in the work to build their futures. From future engineers and veterinarians to future medical professionals and educators, these students continue to grow academically, personally, and professionally each day. ❤️

This week’s Student Spotlight highlights students who are proud of their achievements, resilience, and growth throughout the school year. Whether it’s balancing academics and extracurriculars, improving confidence, passing challenging classes, or preparing for advanced coursework, we are so proud of all they have accomplished.

Upward Bound is more than tutoring and workshops; it’s a community that encourages students to step outside of their comfort zones, pursue their goals, and believe in their potential.

Help us continue supporting future generations of leaders, scholars, and changemakers. ❤️
Donate today to the Upward Bound Scholarship fund to help support Upward Bound students and their dreams while in college! Even $5 makes a difference!
https://www.nvcf.org/funds/upward-bound-scholarship