DENMARK, SC, August 31, 2026 — Voorhees University GEAR UP (VUGU) welcomed more than 60 rising 11th and 12th grade students from across South Carolina to the Voorhees University campus for an immersive overnight learning experience from May 31 through June 18, 2026. For three weeks, students had the opportunity to experience college life firsthand while learning new skills, exploring career options, building relationships, and preparing for life after high school.
A major focus of the Summer Academy was helping students develop skills they can actually use in the future. Students participated in sessions on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and budgeting, where they learned more about managing money and making responsible financial decisions. As students get closer to graduation, these are important skills to have as they begin thinking about college expenses, employment, living on their own, and other responsibilities that come with adulthood.
Students also had the chance to explore different interests and career paths through workshops in artificial intelligence (AI), cosmetology, and event planning. Offering a variety of topics gives students a chance to see that there is no single path to success. Whether they are interested in attending a four-year college, earning a certification, learning a trade, starting a business, or entering the workforce, the goal was to expose them to different possibilities and encourage them to think more seriously about their future.
Students also had the opportunity to build on skills they learned two school years ago through the SOAR (Success Opens Additional Resources) workshop series offered by STEM U, which provides comprehensive STEM solutions that enhance learning environments and support long-term academic and workforce outcomes. During SOAR, students dressed in business attire, learned proper dining etiquette during a three-course meal, and heard from entrepreneurs, college representatives, and other professionals. This summer, students were able to put those lessons into practice during a dinner boat cruise in Charleston. Students enjoyed an elegant meal while putting the dining etiquette, communication, and social skills they previously learned into practice. This experience showed the lasting impact of previous GEAR UP programming and gave students a real-world opportunity to use skills that can benefit them in college, professional, and social settings.
Students also traveled to Orlando, Florida, for three days, which included an educational visit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. They were able to learn about the history of the space program, aerospace, STEM, and careers connected to the industry. For many students, experiences like this provide a different way of learning by allowing them to see and experience things they may have only heard about in a classroom. The trip also included a short visit to Universal Studios, giving students time to have fun, build friendships, and enjoy a new experience together.
Back on campus, students were able to show another side of themselves during the Voorhees University GEAR UP Talent Show. Students shared their poetry, artwork, singing, and other talents, and even came together to form a VUGU choir. It was a great opportunity for students to step outside of their comfort zones, support one another, and build confidence while showing that learning and personal development can happen in many ways.
One of the biggest benefits of the Summer Academy was providing students with the opportunity to live on a college campus. For three weeks, they stayed in residence halls, followed daily schedules, attended workshops and activities, shared spaces with other students, and became more familiar with the college environment. This experience gave them a better idea of what college life may actually look like and feel like before they have to make that transition on their own.
Overall, the VUGU Summer Academy was about much more than keeping students busy for the summer. Each experience gave students an opportunity to learn something new about college, careers, finances, other cultures, or even themselves. These experiences directly support the goals of GEAR UP by helping students become more prepared, confident, and informed as they move closer to high school graduation and begin making decisions about what comes next.
For more information, on the GEAR UP program, contact Kenya Johnson at kmjohnson@voorhees.edu.
