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  • Eastern Washington University Celebrates Opening of MESA Center

    December 19, 2024

    On Friday December 13, 2024, Washington Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (WA MESA) opened a new center on the Eastern Washington University campus. Leaders from WA MESA, OMA&D, MESA programs across the state and those from EWU gathered for the ceremonial ribbon cutting. From EWU’s blog, “Sezi Fleming, executive director of the statewide Washington MESA program, was among a delegation…

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  • Kicking Off College Strong: GEAR UP Beyond Bridge Program Supports Incoming UW Freshmen

    December 11, 2024

    Dates Week 1: September 9 – 13, 2024 (Virtual) Week 2: September 16 – 20, 2024 (On campus) This Summer, GEAR UP RISE UP teamed up with GEAR UP Achievers and the University of Washington’s Ethnic Cultural Center to launch an innovative bridge program for incoming GEAR UP freshman students. The program started two weeks before the start of Fall…

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  • 2024 Samuel E. Kelly Distinguished Faculty Lecture Recap

    December 3, 2024

    Who is Counted and Why A recap of our 2024 Samuel E. Kelly Distinguished Faculty Lecture, featuring Dr. Sara Curran’s presentation Past, Present and Future Demographic Diversity in the U.S. and Washington On October 17, 2024, UW community members and students attended OMA&D’s annual Samuel E. Kelly Distinguished Faculty Lecture, led by Dr. Sara Curran. Dr. Curran presented Past, Present,…

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  • EOP Alumnae Lauren J. King (Muscogee) Selected as Judge, U.S. District Court, Western Washington

    November 4, 2024

    OMA&D Congratulates EOP Alumnae Lauren J. King (Muscogee) on her selection as a federal judge to the U.S. District Court, Western Washington. Judge King is the first Native American appointed to the court in Washington state, and only one of four American Indian federal judges in the country. Read more about her selection from the Washington State Bar Association. King…

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  • Washington MESA Day

    October 21, 2024

    Per our mission, Washington MESA provides enrichment and access to students across the state to increase representation of historically under-represented students of color and women in STEM fields. Over the course of a year, students from current MESA programs participate in fun, hands-on learning activities and mini-projects in pairs or small groups—all gearing up for a day of competition with…

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  • UW GEAR UP Programs Celebrated National GEAR UP Week

    September 30, 2024

    The GEAR UP Achievers & GEAR UP RISE UP programs announced their participation in National GEAR UP Week 2024 from September 23rd – 29th. This week commemorated the continuing success of Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a college access program providing students and families the support and resources they need for college success. This year…

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  • OMA&D Remembers Francisco “Frank” Irigon (’76, ’79)

    September 17, 2024

    Francisco “Frank” Irigon died Thursday, September 12, 2024, at age 77. He passed away surrounded by his family after living with long-term heart disease. Irigon had many identities. He was a family man, a husband, father and grandfather. He was a veteran, executive director, newspaper founder, community builder and political candidate. He will be remembered by many as an activist,…

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  • 2024 Eastern Washington University Summer Bridge Program

    September 14, 2024

    September 12-13, 2024 In September, just before classes started at Eastern Washington University, the University of Washington’s GEAR UP RISE UP team of College Navigators traveled to Cheney, WA to join students in the Eastern Washington University Summer Bridge Program. This program allows students to move in early, make friends, meet faculty and staff, and get ready for college before…

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  • GEAR UP Beyond: Launching A New Era of Post-Secondary Success

    August 10, 2024

    What is it? GEAR UP Achievers launches GEAR UP Beyond, our extended support program designed to guide students after they graduate from high school. Whether a student is starting college this Fall, starting a career, or taking a gap year, we want to ensure that everyone can receive the support they need! In order for students to stay connected, they…

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  • Thank You – Your Support Made a Difference

    May 16, 2024

      Last night was an incredible evening! It was wonderful to be in community with so many, and to see in real-time the number of people who made a choice to support OMA&D and our Educational Opportunity Program students through giving. As I said last night, your presence was a welcome reminder that we are not alone in our work.…

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