From June 9 to 12, Arizona Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) hosted the 2025 Lumberjack Leadership Summit at Northern Arizona University's Flagstaff campus.
The summit brought together more than 160 high school students from various schools across Arizona to engage in immersive personal and learning growth. GEAR UP focused on developing leadership skills, engaging in hands-on STEM and engineering activities and exploring life after high school through interactive workshops and real-world college experiences.
For four days, students lived on campus, dined in the university鈥檚 cafeterias and gained first-hand insight from current college students. By providing a supportive and energizing environment, NAU aimed to help students gain confidence and prepare them for future academic and career success.
Students were able to choose to participate in one of three classes; coding, engineering or robotics. Each offered their own activities for participants to explore the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) career fields.
Participants got to be a part of the college process while attending classes focused on career services, admissions and financial aid.
Providing interactive programs like the Lumberjack Leadership Summit supports , which聽is centered on leveling the playing field for all students in Arizona.
鈥淎rizona GEAR UP is proud to provide this opportunity as part of its mission to support students from underrepresented communities in preparing for and succeeding in postsecondary education,鈥� read a newsletter released by NAU.
for inspiring students to reach for higher education and feel confident enough to make that step toward a brighter future. By connecting educational aspirations to concrete experiences, youth are able to see their future in their present and start planning.
The program is intended to increase academic performance and college preparation, high school graduation and college enrollment rates, educational expectations for students, and college knowledge for students and families.