Upward Bound program proves that student support makes the difference

On average, only 25 percent of high school students from first-generation, low-income families go to college. Change one important factor-a student's participation in the Upward Bound program-and that number jumps to 90 percent.

The federally funded program, now in its 39th year at Buffalo State, was created under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Designed to increase the number of disadvantaged students with demonstrated potential to enroll and graduate from higher education institutions, Upward Bound provides academic support to ninth-through-twelfth graders from low-income families and families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree to receive academic support.

"Upward Bound fills a void," said Donald Patterson, who has served as the director of Buffalo State's Upward Bound program since 2001. "We bridge the gap between the haves and have nots and provide opportunities for everybody, regardless of socioeconomic background and other barriers."

Studies have shown that children from families with incomes of $108,650 or more are significantly more likely to earn a bachelor's degree by age 24. One source indicates that only nine percent of students from families with incomes below $34,160 graduated from college, compared to 77 percent of students from families with higher incomes. Additional research shows that in 2023, around 89% of students from well-off families pursued higher education, versus 64% from middle-class families and 51% from low-income families.

Statistics like these illustrate why Upward Bound's work is so important. And while the program's primary focus is academic support, Patterson said it goes beyond that.

"We provide new cultural experiences and connect students to internship sites," he said. "We give support and provide them with skills to perform to the best of their ability academically, help them grow socially, and navigate the waters of higher education."

Buffalo State's target high schools are Lafayette High School, McKinley High School, and East Community High School. And because students are eligible for participation during all four years of high school, support is truly personalized.

"We've established great relationships with these schools," Patterson said. "They're very receptive to what we do and welcome to the support we give and, as a result, we've had success."

Upward Bound runs year-round but offers a six-week summer residency program at Buffalo State, during which participants take a full slate of core academic classes with certified Buffalo Public School teachers and get a taste of college by living in the residence halls. Current Buffalo State students serve as residence advisors and tutors, and Buffalo State faculty members offer classes in arts areas like philosophy, dance, and television production. On Fridays, there are curriculum-related field trips, like a Darien Lake visit that involves learning the physics of roller coasters.

"Students get up early to take classes, learn to live with other students, and do homework each night," Patterson said. "It's great preparation for college."

Many of the students who complete the Upward Bound program through Buffalo State become Bengals when it's time to choose their higher education institution, and reap the benefits of having already gained familiarity with campus, faculty, and available resources.

This year's Upward Bound students celebrated the completion of their program with an awards banquet on August 7. During the banquet, 2025 McKinley High School graduate Madina Jandel received the $1,000 Hal D. Payne Scholarship. Funded by Joe Carubba, president of Carubba & Company, the annual scholarship is named in honor of the former vice president for student affairs at Buffalo State.

"The Upward Bound program has helped me prevail so much over the years," said Jandel. "It not only helped me through school; it taught me the values of life. It helped me connect with so many people that brought so many opportunities and friendships. Any student that's been through Upward Bound can say that it prepared them to not only do well in school, but also to bond with the people around them."

"Madina is an outstanding young person," Patterson said. "She started with us as a freshman and over the years has been an asset and an ambassador for the program."

Patterson was also recognized at the banquet with the Hal D. Payne Lifetime Service Award.

"What makes Upward Bound work year after year is that students jump right into an environment where the reward is their success," Patterson said. "We're happy that we are able to help students find their way."

Pictured: Donald Patterson (left) and Madina Jandel at the 2025 Upward Bound Awards Banquet.

Photo courtesy Upward Bound.