Achieving a bachelor’s degree in sociology was not a simple task for Tony Howard, but the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound program helped make it a little easier.
“SIIUE TRIO Upward Bound (EC) counselors, college visits and financial aid workshops helped give me a better understanding of not only going to college but of graduating,” said Howard, a 23-year-old East St. Louis native.
Howard graduated in May 2014 from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston with a bachelor’s in sociology. He currently works as a residential treatment specialist with Caritas Family Solutions in East St. Louis.
Growing up in East St. Louis, Howard remembers facing a number of challenges along the way. As a result of those challenges, Howard realized schooling was an intricate part of a healthy landscape that eventually led Howard to greener pastures that included a college education.
Howard joined Upward Bound (EC) when he was a freshman at East St. Louis Senior High School. He was part of the TRIO program for four years. The program helped Howard achieve accolades throughout high school including being named among Top Teens of America, winning fourth place in the Judge Ora Polk oratorical contest and ranking 50th out of high school class of 350 students.
“Joining Upward Bound was one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made toward my academic life,” Howard said.
Howard plans to begin a master’s program in professional counseling in spring 2015.
SIUE ESLC TRIO Upward Bound programs are committed to developing year-round education programs that will excite, motivate and prepare selected high school students from the program’s target schools. We are committed to utilizing researched-based best-practices to prepare our students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs. TRIO Upward Bound is a federally-funded college-prep program sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the U.S. Department of Education.
Photo: Tony Howard