Arizona GEAR UP is launching the student-led GEAR UP Alumni Clubs at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona, and we need dedicated faculty and staff to help bring them to life. We have students ready to go with members and a constitution drawn up; all we need is YOU! These clubs will serve as vital networks for GEAR UP graduates, connecting them with peers, resources, and opportunities to thrive… Read more
The Arizona GEAR UP team proudly represented our state at the 2025 NCCEP/GEAR UP National Conference in San Francisco, bringing our expertise and the voices of our alumni to the national stage. This year, we were joined by two outstanding alumni: Lizeth Carreon, a graduate of Amphitheater High School now attending Arizona State University, and Lilliana Minor, a graduate of Coronado High School also attending ASU. Their perspectives brought depth and authenticity to… Read more
The 2025 Lumberjack Leadership Summit took place from June 2 to June 5, 2025, in Flagstaff, Arizona, on the Northern Arizona University Mountain Campus. More than 200 students and staff made the trip up north to participate.
For four days and three nights, students experienced life as a college student. They lived in dorms, ate in the dining hall, and took part in sessions and activities that explored college life and future careers.
Students were divided into… Read more
Metro Tech High School is proving that with the right leadership, intentional programming, and a culture rooted in support, students can soar. This year, Metro Tech earned statewide recognition for its outstanding improvement in FAFSA completion, ranking second in the large school category.
At the center of this momentum is Lindsay Holbrook, a dedicated school counselor and instructional leader who has worked tirelessly to create a strong postsecondary-going culture on campus.… Read more
Lesly Aponte Pineda
Youngker High School (Class of 2023)
Construction Management and Technology, Arizona State University
From a high school student in Buckeye, Arizona, to a driven college junior with big aspirations in the construction industry, Lesly Aponte Pineda has proven what’s possible with hard work and determination.
Lesly first connected with Arizona GEAR UP during her junior year of high school, when she began exploring attending college. “They were very helpful,” she… Read more
