Project Upward Bound

OU Project Upward Bound director to be recognized for service, leadership

icon of a calendarAugust 2, 2018

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OU Project Upward Bound director to be recognized for service, leadership
Geraldine Graham
Geraldine Graham, director of Project Upward Bound at Oakland University, has been selected to receive the Walter O. Mason Jr. Award this September. The award is the highest national honor given by the Council for Opportunity in Education in recognition of distinguished service and leadership.

Geraldine Graham, director of Project Upward Bound at Oakland University, has been unanimously selected by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) to receive the Walter O. Mason Jr. Award at this year’s national conference in September in New York City.

The award is the highest national honor given by the COE in recognition of distinguished service and leadership. It was named in honor of Walter O. Mason, who is credited as one of the creators of the Federal TRIO programs, which are designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“I am honored to have been selected for this prestigious honor from among the many TRIO professionals across the nation who are doing great work every day,” Graham said.

A multi-faceted college preparatory enrichment program, the Project Upward Bound College Prep Academy is under the umbrella of the TRIO programs, which were established when Congress passed the Higher Education Act of 1965, now known as the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). A federally funded program, PUB has been in place at Oakland University since 1966 and serves 133 students per year. Its mission is to provide academic, social, cultural and career enrichment that prepares students to succeed in higher education.

Graham previously served as the program’s assistant director before being selected as project director in June 1995. She is currently the longest serving director of PUB in the program’s history at OU.

“In these later years of my career, it is gratifying to receive affirmation from national TRIO leaders of the value of my life’s work,” Graham said.

As project director, Graham wears many “hats,” including business manager, compliance officer, high school principal, personnel and training manager, public relations, general manager and program manager. She also serves as the PUB Parent Association coordinator.

To learn more about Project Upward Bound, visit www.oakland.edu/upwardbound.

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