Grambling State University will again host the LA GEAR UP summer learning camps with week I which July 8-14.

Week II activities will be held from July 15-21. The focus of the LA GEAR UP (Louisiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) camps is to help students develop and enhance academic and leadership skills needed to promote success in planning and completing their post secondary education.

According to the overall program goals, this initiative focuses on providing stimulating experiences in math, science, technology, and/or English/language arts; expand career goals and aspirations; provide information about college that includes early planning and financial support services; and combine learning with fun.

Grambling professors Loretta Walton Jaggers and Nanthailia McJamerson serve as co-principle investigators for the LA GEAR UP Summer Learning Camp grant, which totaled $100,962.

The grant is funded by the Louisiana Board of Regents to implement the two, one-week summer camps at Grambling State University. This is the seventh consecutive year that Jaggers and McJamerson have been funded to implement the LA GEAR UP summer learning camps.

In 2005 Jaggers and McJamerson submitted a proposal that requested funds to implement a one-week program at a cost of $37,000.

Since then another week has been added and the program has been funded more than $100,000 each year.

During May students, parents, teachers and administrators from LA GEAR UP schools from across Louisiana attended a statewide conference in Baton Rouge. Read Full