GEAR UP : Rites of Passage

Nassau Community College GEAR UP provides resources, leadership, and college awareness opportunities to ensure that students from the Uniondale School District achieve academic and personal excellence, graduate from high school, and enter college as prepared, highly capable adults. In partnership with community agencies, GEAR UP provides a wide range of interacting services to students, raising their potential for future success.

The Program provides a wide range of holistic services to students, parents, and staff, enhancing their potential for future success. The systemic and supportive interventions detailed below prepare students to enter college and the workforce.

Through its collaboration with the African American Museum of Nassau County, Nassau Community College offers GEAR UP students a Rites of Passage Program, which is designed to prepare young people to govern themselves socially, emotionally, intellectually and culturally for transition into young adulthood and college life. The GEAR UP Rites of Passage Program addresses the life challenges of pre-adolescents and adolescents, offering students both a sound historical foundation and cultural enrichment. The Program involves the transmission of a clear value system, enabling students to develop decision making skills, self awareness, an understanding of basic life principles, a healthy self-concept, commitment to community service, good study habits, goals attainment and an awareness and preparedness for the college experience.