University academic program gets a new name

University academic program gets a new name

Upward Bound Math Science, a federally funded program at California Lutheran University (CLU), has changed its name to the Regional High School Math and Science Center.

Joy Brittain, the center’s director, said the Upward Bound Math Science program that brings high school students to CLU for academic enrichment sessions has been changed to differentiate the math and science program from the Traditional Upward Bound program, which focuses on assisting high school students in Ventura County with college preparation.

A priority of the Regional High School Math and Science Center is to assist students from seven states and several Pacific Island countries who spend six weeks in the summer taking classes with an emphasis in science, engineering and math. Funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant, the program is designed to prepare low-income students in grades nine through 12 for college admission and successful completion of post-secondary education.

Only students whose parents are not four-year-college graduates are eligible for the program, which also provides year-round activities that expose students to new technology and scientific developments.

"The summer program provides students with many opportunities that enable them to become our future scientists, engineers and teachers," Brittain said.

Brittain has directed the program for nine years on the CLU campus. Since 1999, it has a 100 percent success rate in high school graduation and university placement, with a 92 percent success rate in college retention.

For more information, please call Brittain at (805) 493-3317.