Contacts:
Kurt Snodgrass, State
Regents, 405-225-9180
GEAR UP to Host First Annual Statewide Conference
When: 2 to 8:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 25 and 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.,
Tuesday, Sept. 26
Where: Myriad Convention Center, Oklahoma City
What: Photo and news opportunity as the Oklahoma State Regents for
Higher Education host the first annual Oklahoma Gaining Early Awareness
and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Conference. National,
state and local higher education leaders will join Oklahoma parents
and public school educators to celebrate student success in support
of U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley’s America Goes Back
to School initiative. Conference participants will learn innovative
strategies for program and student success, plan local school intervention
strategies and discuss proposed changes in GEAR UP implementation.
In addition, Dr. Allen Schmieder, vice president for K-20 Education
at JDL Technologies, will be the keynote speaker during the “Celebration
of Student Success” dinner event, which will be held 6 to 8:30 p.m.,
Monday, Sept. 25 in the Myriad Convention Center. Schmieder will
speak at 7 p.m.
Also, Millwood Public Schools Middle School Choir will perform during
the Monday evening dinner event. The performance will begin at 6:30
p.m.
Who: National, state and local higher education leaders, public
school educators and parents
Why: To celebrate student success in Oklahoma and to inform, engage
and challenge schools, institutions and individuals in GEAR UP,
a national program created to develop students’ potential and help
them as well as their families better prepare for college.
Special Guest: Dr. Sally H. Cain, U.S. Secretary of Education’s
Regional Representative, U.S. Department of Education. Cain will
be bringing a letter from Secretary Riley lauding Oklahoma’s GEAR
UP program.
Speakers: Dr. Allen Schmieder, Vice President for K-20 Education
at JDL Technologies
Rafael Ramirez, GEAR UP Interim Director, U.S. Department of Education
Ramirez will hold a general session, “The Status of GEAR UP and
Measuring Student Progress” from 9 to 10 a.m., Sept. 26
Wes McFarland, Superintendent, Agra Public Schools
Joy Culbreath, Executive Education Director of the Choctaw Nation
of Oklahoma
Hans Brisch, Chancellor, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Dolores Mize, GEAR UP State Director and Assistant Vice Chancellor
and Director of State System Advancement, Oklahoma State Regents
for Higher Education Armando Pena, GEAR UP State Coordinator, Oklahoma
State Regents for Higher Education
Bryce Fair, Assistant Vice Chancellor for State Scholarships and
Grants and Legislative Coordinator, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education
Donna Spain-Bryant, GEAR UP Public Relations Coordinator, Oklahoma
State Regents for Higher Education
Lisa Schmidt, State Coordinator for Smart Start, Oklahoma State
Regents for Higher Education
Sharon Brooks, South Central Regional Coordinator, Oklahoma GEAR
UP, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Cheryl Elias, North Central Regional Coordinator, Oklahoma GEAR
UP, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Jolynn Horn, Southeast Regional Coordinator, Oklahoma GEAR UP, Oklahoma
State Regents for Higher Education
Beth Jones, Southeast Regional Coordinator, Oklahoma GEAR UP, Oklahoma
State Regents for Higher Education
Liz Roberts, Northeast Regional Coordinator, Oklahoma GEAR UP, Oklahoma
State Regents for Higher Education
The U.S. Department of Education awarded Oklahoma with a state
GEAR UP grant totaling $20.5 million in August 1999. The grant has
been matched by more than $25 million from state and partner resources.
With funds totaling $45.5 million, GEAR UP receives 45 percent of
total funding from the federal government and 55 percent from other
organizations.
