Message
from the Director...
Welcome,
Del
L. Ruff
GEAR
UP Director |
|
I would like to take
this time to welcome
you to our website
and thank you for
your interest in our
activity in Western
North Carolina. I
am Del Ruff the Director
of GEAR UP. I came
to Southwestern Community
College from Fayetteville
State University (Bronco
Pride) in which I
was the Early College
Liaison and advisor
in the University
College at the University.
I have been in public
education for over
10 years serving in
classrooms in Halifax
and Edgecombe Counties
here in North Carolina.
I have taught grades
6 & 8 science
and math and grades
9-12 General, Honors,
and Advanced Placement
Biology and Chemistry.
I am pleased to have
found a home here
at Southwestern Community
College in which a
passion for education
and student success
are paramount in the
school’s culture.
GEAR UP is a discretionary
grant program sponsored
by the US Department
of Education, that
is designed to increase
the number of students
who are prepared to
enter and succeed
in postsecondary education.
GEAR UP provides six-year
grants to states and
partnerships to provide
services in schools
which have at least
50% or more students
enrolled in free or
reduced lunch program.
GEAR UP grantees serve
an entire cohort of
students beginning
no later than the
seventh grade and
follow the cohort
through high school.
GEAR UP at SCC begins
with students in the
sixth grade and follow
the cohort through
to twelfth grade,
adding a sixth grade
cohort every year.
At the present time
GEAR UP at SCC serves
over 3500 students
in grades 6 through
10 in Cherokee Central
Schools, Jackson County
Public Schools, Macon
County Schools, and
Swain County Schools.
As an educational
reform /college readiness
program, GEAR UP is
charged with addressing
the needs of students,
parents, educators,
and the community
in which the schools
are located. We work
to supplement current
initiatives in education,
but also to develop
sustainable programs,
services, and initiatives
within our community
as well. GEAR UP recognizes
that we are all a
part of a global community
that is fast-paced,
technology-driven,
and networked for
ease of information
access. Our students
can study in college
a range of disciplines
from science and technology,
history, environmental
studies, history,
and the arts not only
to preserve the past
heritage and culture
but also create a
future for our Nation,
State, and Community.
It is with great
excitement that I
anticipate our graduating
class of 2011. When
these students walk
across the stage to
receive their diplomas
and with great confidence
be able to walk on
a college campus as
a college-ready student.
Families will have
ease of mind because
their student has
all the tools and
finances needed for
them to be successful
in college. Educators
will relish in the
thoughts that they
have provided their
students with rigor,
relevance, and relationships
in their discipline
to ensure their academic
success. The business
community will be
excited in the prospect
of highly educated
staff returning to
their folds to increase
the prosperity of
the community in which
they are located.
It is with this anticipation
that we work as hard
and diligently as
possible for our students,
families, educators,
and communities in
Western North Carolina
to see this a reality.
Sincerely,
Del L. Ruff,
GEAR UP Director |
