GEAR UP West 2012 Regional Conference

GEAR UP West is a collaborative regional conference for college access practitioners from the western states of the US. 

The conference will be held October 21-23 at the Grand Hyatt in Seattle, WA.

This year's conference will feature:

• Pre-conference session on dropout prevention
• Bill Gates, Sr.
• First Generation film screening and Q&A with the filmmakers
• Dr. Debra Saunders-White, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs
• Leadership Track for program directors, superintendents, principals, and administrators
• D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas
• Aric Bostick
• Over 40 breakout sessions

Historically, the event has drawn around 350 participants from seven western states: AZ, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA, & WY. 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.