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This summer marks a significant milestone for the University of San Diego's TRIO Upward Bound program , which is celebrating its 25th anniversary of helping first-generation college eligible and economically disadvantaged high school students chart a path toward higher education.

Since its launch in 1999, the federally-funded college access initiative has become a cornerstone of USD's efforts to increase educational equity in San Diego. Today, the program serves students from both Kearny and Hoover high schools - the latter of which was added in 2022 - and continues to deepen its roots in the surrounding Linda Vista neighborhood.

The program hosted its annual summer banquet on July 16, capping off its summer academic enrichment program. The event celebrated the accomplishments of roughly 80 students who spent the summer engaging in exposure courses, academic support and immersive college readiness experiences on the USD campus.

"For many of them, it might be the first time somebody has actually told them, 'Hey, you can go to college,'" said Ramiro Frausto, Senior Director of the Institute of College Initiatives at USD and a TRIO alumnus himself. "The summer program is a foundational experience where they spend four to six weeks taking courses on a wide range of topics. At the core of that is them getting comfortable on campus and seeing themselves here."

Beyond the summer program, Upward Bound continues to support students throughout the academic year with tutoring services, community service opportunities and college application preparation. "We want students not just to get into college but to thrive there - and to take pride in their communities and the role they can play in giving back," Frausto added.

Upward Bound Director Sou Fang '15 (BA) sees the 25th anniversary as more than a milestone - to him, it's a powerful symbol of generational transformation.

"This anniversary is a celebration of resilience and the transformative power of education," said Fang, also an alumnus of the program. "It's a reminder that sustained investment in our communities changes lives and futures."

Fang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand to Hmong parents who never had access to formal education. He saw Upward Bound first impact his oldest brother as part of USD's inaugural cohort, and then shape the futures of all his brothers - and himself.

"For me, TRIO was not just an academic program, it was a lifeline," he said.

Today, as he supports students through the same program that once guided him, Fang is proud to be part of a university that continues to honor its role as an anchor institution in Linda Vista and City Heights. "This moment is about continuing the work - making sure that every student knows they belong and that college is within reach."

A highlight of this year's banquet was the unveiling of a new student-led art project, which will be displayed as a backdrop at the annual Linda Vista Multicultural Fair. Created by Upward Bound participants with guidance from local artist Muse Juarez, the piece was made possible through support from the USD Impact Linda Vista Initiative . The collaboration exemplifies the program's focus on community engagement and cultural expression.

"Our work is deeply embedded in Linda Vista," Frausto said. "It's not just about what students can gain from USD - it's also about how they can contribute meaningfully to their neighborhoods."

TRIO's long-term impact is measurable and growing. According to data from the university, TRIO programs deliver a 13-to-1 return on investment - for every dollar invested, $13 is generated in economic output through increased educational attainment and workforce participation.

"We have a lot of alumni who've gone on to launch successful careers," Frausto said. "It makes fiscal sense and it makes human sense."

As USD celebrates a quarter-century of Upward Bound, the program remains committed to its mission: ensuring that college is not just a dream, but a reachable reality for students who are ready to rise. USD Upward Bound is funded by the U.S. Department of Education through a competitive grant competition.

Since 1965, more than 6 million TRIO students have graduated from college. More than 900 institutions across the nation now sponsor TRIO programs. USD TRIO Upward Bound began in October 1998 when Dr. Cynthia Villis, at that time an Associate Provost at USD, submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education.

- Story by Matthew Piechalak, photos and video by Sou Fang