

Upward Bound is a program designed to assist high school students with developing the skills they need to achieve their personal, academic, and career goals. Joining Upward Bound more than triples your chances of earning an undergraduate degree due to the programs and resources available to you!
Washburn Upward Bound staff partner with students through high school, and into post-secondary education and beyond. Our target school is Topeka High School.
Students who participate will receive support services to help make post-secondary education a reality, including:
- Tutoring
- Social and cultural field trips
- College tours
- Test prep
- Assistance applying to college
- And much more!
Nothing! It’s FREE.
What's more, Upward Bound PAYS YOU.
*Stipends may be earned based on participation requirements.
FUNDING
TRIO Upward Bound is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants will be selected for program participation in compliance with the provisions of section 427 of the U.S. Department of Education’s General Education Provisions Act (GEPA). Accordingly, access and participation will not be denied to applicants based on gender, race, national origin, color, disability or age.
Eligible students must be:
- U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents at the time of admission.
- From a low-income family and/or be a future first-generation college student.
- In need of academic support and have a strong desire to enroll in and complete a postsecondary pathway.
All applications are accepted for review regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender or disability (U.S. Department of Education-GEPA Section 427).
Zalma Molina, Upward Bound Advisor
I'm Zalma Molina and I am honored to be the Upward Bound Program Advisor. I was born in California but raised in Texas, Colorado, and Southwest Kansas as the proud daughter of two immigrant parents coming from Mexico and El Salvador. I grew up loving school no matter where I'd move to but it wasn't until I attended one of my older sister's college visits provided by her Upward Bound Program that I realized I could and wanted to attend college. I later became a first generation college student earning my Bachelor's of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Kansas where I was a part of their TRIO program.
After a few years working in and out of my degree field, I realized my love for education translated into advising for the same program that motivated me to earn a college degree while still being able to stay close to my family here in Topeka. I am currently pursing my Master's in Business Administration at Washburn University and I am super excited to be a part of the Upward Bound family. My goal will always be to provide assistance in any way possible to the students we serve and I look forward to help motivate them as they work towards accomplishing their own dreams.
También hablo español. Por favor no duden en ponerse en contacto conmigo con preguntas o comentarios.
Admission into the Washburn University Upward Bound Program is available to all those USD 501 students who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of gender, race, national origin, age, religion or disability. Washburn Upward Bound is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as additional resources and support from Washburn University and Topeka Public Schools.
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Upward Bound is an Equal Opportunity in Education project that does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, gender identification, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
GET IN TOUCH WITH Upward Bound
Zalma Molina
zalma.molina@washburn.edu
785.295.3220
