In addition to other K-12 initiatives described in this website, SMU participates in a number of efforts and initiatives specifically aimed at college readiness and access to higher education. These include:

• SMU Upward Bound Program
  SMU participates in the federally supported Upward Bound program. The SMU Upward Bound Program provides a pre-collegiate academic experience for 9th and 10th graders who qualify under guidelines that include income level, first generation college student, and desire to attend college. The Program includes an academic component during the academic year, as well as a summer residential program for college-bound students who have participated in other parts of the Upward Bound Program.
  
  During the school year, the Program seeks to overcome academic and financial barriers to higher education by providing tutorial assistance relating to academic subjects, academic and personal counseling, assessment test preparation, leadership development, scholarship information, and financial aid seminars.
  
  For information about the SMU Upward Bound Program, please contact Ne’Shaun Jones at nrjones@smu.edu, or call the Program at (214)768-2364.
  
  
• Hispanic Youth Symposium
  In 2009, SMU will host the First Annual Dallas Hispanic Youth Symposium. The Symposium will take place on the SMU campus from June 30 to July 3, 2009. The Hispanic Youth Symposium is an intensive three-night, four-day program for about 200 qualifying students. The Symposium is aimed at allowing participants to develop a network of peers and mentors, learn about resources and tools for college, and develop a long-term career vision. Participants also will be able to engage in art, speech, talent, and essay competitions. Participants will be recruited with the assistance of teachers and administrators in high schools within DISD.
  
  
• EAGLE Scholars
  EAGLE Scholars is a collaborative college readiness program during the summer between SMU’s Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development, and the Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation. The program is designed for first-generation college students to encourage, support, and challenge the potential of approximately 85 rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students from Tasby Middle School. The tuition-free program, geared to high-achieving students, teaches academic, leadership, and enrichment activities.
  
  The students participate in fine arts and sports at the Meadows Museum and Dedman Sports Center on SMU’s campus. In addition to the in-class activities and field trips throughout the city, the EAGLE Scholars receive the benefit of weekly, face-to-face sessions with community leaders focusing on the importance of completing high school and college, one of the cornerstones of the EAGLE Scholars Program. For more information, contact Sherril English at shenglish@smu.edu.