GEAR UP West 2019

13th Annual GEAR UP West Conference: Igniting Opportunities

The Greater Tacoma Convention Center, Tacoma, WA

October 20-22, 2019 

GEAR UP West is a collaborative regional conference for college access practitioners from the western states of the US. The conference draws approximately 500 participants from ten western states: AZ, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, and WA.
 
Attendees include GEAR UP and other college access program staff, evaluators, higher education professionals, and middle and high school teachers, counselors, and administrators. All those working to help low-income and underrepresented students prepare for and succeed in college are welcome to attend. Registration will open in May.

Call for Proposals

We are now accepting proposals for the 13th Annual GEAR UP West Conference: Igniting Opportunities. In 2019, we welcome presentation proposals that:
  • Highlight effective, systemic, and sustainable practices.
  • Share program innovations in middle/high school/postsecondary education and workforce readiness.
  • Inspire GEAR UP program staff and others in the college access field while also providing practical, replicable, and adaptable tools and resources.
  • Provide fresh perspectives, models, and strategies for the GEAR UP community.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Apprenticeships and other postsecondary pathways.
  • Cross-sector collaboration, partnerships, and collective impact.
  • College freshmen student support services including support for commuter students.
  • Equity and support for underrepresented populations (gender equity, ELL, students of color, students who are undocumented, youth who are in foster care and/or are experiencing homelessness).
  • Financial literacy.
  • Family engagement.
  • Transitions, summer melt, and persistence.
  • Grant management.
  • Growth mindset and noncognitive skills.
  • Evaluation results that demonstrate effective program practices.
  • Data collection and analysis strategies for documenting program successes and areas for improvement.
  • Advocacy and support in your school, community, and beyond.

Submission Guidelines and Requirements

  • All sessions are one hour and fifteen minutes in duration and will typically be held in theater-style rooms (similar to a classroom, without tables) to maximize seating capacity.
  • All presenters are required to register and pay the conference registration fee. The primary presenters (2) registration fee will be reduced to $100. Primary presenters will be responsible for travel, lodging, and conference expenses. There is a limit of two reduced registration per presentation.
  • Vendor and professional speaker sessions will not be eligible for considerations unless they are:
    • noncommercial (content focused, not a sales pitch);
    • partnered with a GEAR UP program for the presentation; and
    • the GU partner is the main presenter.
    • If your company is interested in exhibiting at the 2019 conference please contact Jacque Deahl, jdeahl@sde.idaho.gov for details.

How to Apply