October 10, 2011
Step Up to your dreams, Step Up to higher education in Utah
Utahns of all ages are being encouraged to “Step Up” through a new federally funded social awareness campaign targeted at promoting higher education options to underrepresented populations throughout the state.
StepUP to Higher Education looks to overcome barriers sometimes associated with higher education by encouraging students to dream big about their futures and provides the tools for
students to act on those dreams. The campaign also urges parents, educators, mentors and community leaders to encourage and inspire the dreams of Utah’s future college students.
The campaign centers on a comprehensive website, stepuputah.com, which informs groups under 12, 12- to 18-years-old and adults (parents, educators, etc.) that “college” can include anything from a one-year certificate to a four-year degree. To align with the Utah System of Higher Education’s goal of having 66% of Utah’s workforce with postsecondary degrees by 2020, it is essential to reach out to student populations who may have never considered higher education.
More after the jump…
“In order for us to achieve our ‘big goal,’ we need to speak out to students, parents and adults
and let them know that they can overcome any roadblocks throughout their lives which would
lead to not attending, and finishing, college,” Commissioner of Higher Education Bill
Sederburg said. “We look forward to this campaign and see it as a new way to reach Utah
students, and their parents, who may have never before heard this message.”
Additional components of StepUP to Higher Education include social media, television and
radio advertising, and other grassroots initiatives.
“A key component of this campaign will be taking the message that college is possible directly
to the students,” said Melissa Miller Kincart, Assistant Commissioner for Access and
Outreach. “We will be in Utah communities, reaching out to students of all ages where they
live and play, to help them understand that higher education is critical to their future success.”
Funding for this initiative is made possible through the College Access Challenge Grant, a
federal grant from the United States Department of Education. For more information or to see
and hear radio and television spots for the “StepUP” campaign, visit stepuputah.com,
facebook.com/stepuputah or on Twitter at @StepUpUtah.
Note: This post is over a year and a half old. Information in this article may be outdated or superseded by additional information.