{"id":59559,"date":"2024-05-28T11:03:03","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T15:03:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/?p=59559"},"modified":"2024-05-28T11:20:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T15:20:40","slug":"gear-up-for-change-utc-program-hosts-local-high-school-students-seeking-improvements-in-their-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2024\/05\/gear-up-for-change-utc-program-hosts-local-high-school-students-seeking-improvements-in-their-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018GEAR UP\u2019 for change: UTC program hosts local high school students seeking improvements in their schools\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Hamilton

Hamilton County Schools Student Ambassadors Benjamin Rodriguez Cruz<\/span> (left), Malik Bailey, Bao Hoang, Sindi Gonzalez Larios, Heaven Adkins, Jasmine Moore, Kimora Reid and Jaylin Jordan. Photo by Olivia Allen\/Hamilton County Schools.<\/p><\/div>\n

Local high school students came to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus on Wednesday, May 22, to share research on topics such as vaping, disruptive incidents and rule violations that take place at their schools.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Facilitated by UTC\u2019s GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) program, Hamilton County Schools (HCS) Student Ambassador members presented to local principals and district leaders in the University Center Chickamauga Room.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the spring semester, the Student Ambassadors met with a collection of HCS teachers and central office staff to study and analyze district data, policies and outcomes.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Hunter Huckabay, UTC program director for GEAR UP, said this event will hopefully influence positive changes in HCS high schools.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal is to talk to the leaders in the Hamilton County School system\u2014such as principals and central office staff\u2014about their findings and recommendations and hopefully trigger some movement and examination by the district leaders,\u201d Huckabay said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hosting these events, he said, will show potential UTC students that they are welcome on campus.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Division of Access and Engagement, which GEAR UP is a part of, has been very supportive of us,\u201d Huckabay said. \u201cThe division is very interested in students and having access to UTC.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The event also creates an opportunity for community engagement with HCS faculty and staff.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA key factor is the welcoming of the teachers and the central office employees and strengthening that partnership,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Student presenters included:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n