SWOSU Press Release

Weatherford, OK – High school students from western Oklahoma are spending part of their summer at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), where they are getting a firsthand look at college life while building academic and career readiness skills through the university’s Upward Bound program. The program is a federally funded initiative that supports college-bound students through academic instruction, advising, and skill-building activities. It provides year-round services and a six-week summer session designed to help participants gain experience with college life while preparing for post-secondary success.

This summer’s residential program includes 45 students from Anadarko, Burns Flat, Canute, Carnegie, Clinton, and Hobart. Participants are living on the Weatherford campus while completing daily coursework in composition and literature, mathematics, robotics, foreign languages, and lab science. The lab science course is focused on forensics, giving students the opportunity to explore scientific research through a practical and career-relevant lens.

In addition to classroom instruction, students have taken part in several related field trips and presentations. These included a visit to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and a session at the Oklahoma City National Memorial’s Uncover-Discover Lab: Forensics. Guest presenters throughout the summer have also included professionals in law enforcement, who have shared firsthand insights about careers that combine public service with science and technology.

Last week, the program welcomed Sgt. Eric Kirby and Sgt. Christy Yokley from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. The two officers visited campus to speak with students about impaired driving, substance use, and seat belt safety. After their presentation, students took part in two simulations. Sgt. Yokley guided students through a cone course using a utility vehicle while wearing impairment goggles, demonstrating the effects of reduced reaction time and altered vision. Sgt. Kirby then used a rollover simulator to show how crashes can impact passengers with and without seat belts.

SWOSU’s Upward Bound program serves students who meet federal eligibility criteria and demonstrate a need for academic support and college preparation. Students enter the program in the ninth or tenth grade and remain active through high school graduation. During the school year, participants attend Saturday Academies focused on ACT preparation, study skills, and academic advising, along with college visits and cultural field trips.

The summer session is designed to simulate the college experience in a structured and supportive environment. Students build academic habits, develop independence, and connect with peers who share similar goals. Graduating seniors who complete the program also have the opportunity to enroll in a summer bridge component, which covers the cost of six hours of college credit at SWOSU.

“As an Upward Bound alum, I know first-hand the impact this program can have on a student without direction,” said Jamie Novey, Director of SWOSU Upward Bound “I was the first in my family to even graduate high school. After four years in the program, I had a roadmap and the confidence to follow it. I successfully earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, something that would not have happened without Upward Bound.”

The program continues to offer meaningful support for students who are working toward higher education. By giving participants access to campus resources, professional instruction, and career-connected experiences, SWOSU’s Upward Bound staff helps students build the confidence and skills needed for success after high school.

Learn more about Upward Bound at SWOSU: https://www.swosu.edu/about/pre-college-programs/upward-bound/index.php.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.