Upward Bound Programs Staff

• Upward Bound Programs activities
• Eligibility for high school students in our target schools (Aberdeen, American Falls, Blackfoot, Century, Firth, Highland, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Shelley High Schools)
• Jobs for college students and instructors working with our Saturday and Summer Academies

Danielle is a first-generation college graduate from a low-income background, a TRIO alumna, and an advocate for students from underrepresented and under-supported backgrounds. After growing up in rural Appalachia, becoming a TRIO McNair Scholar at Indiana University of Pennsylvania was critical to her success in attending graduate school. She earned her Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 2014. She then taught and researched at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Mississippi State University. At Mississippi State, Danielle was a philosophy professor and the Undergraduate Coordinator for philosophy majors. Her love for Upward Bound and decision to return to TRIO was inspired by her four summers working as an academic and residential counselor and as a philosophy instructor for the Upward Bound program at Saint Francis University. She has been with the ISU TRIO Upward Bound Programs since 2020.

Steven Moldenhauer graduated from Idaho State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. From there he started his professional journey at Umpqua Community College, in Oregon, as an ETS Advisor. While at UCC, he took part in the leadership program offered there as well as the 2019-2020 NAEOP Emerging Leaders Institute cohort. Steven is currently the Volunteer Auctioneer and Fundraising Specialist for the Friends of NAEOP (FoN). He is also currently the producer and Co-Host of "What's Your Why?!" a podcast for the modern day TRIO Professional. Steven has had amazing opportunities to grow over his career and has adopted this philosophy, “All of us become leaders at any given point in our lives, at any given time. Good leadership looks like great teamwork. No matter your position, you have the opportunity to make a difference, so make it.”

• TRIO Application Process (Spanish & English)
• Upward Bound Summer Academy
• Upward Bound Saturday Academy
• TRIO Programs eligibility

Gerardo "Jerry" Torres is a first-generation college graduate and a son of immigrant parents who came to America to pursue a brighter future. As a former participant of the TRIO Upward Bound and Student Support Services program at Idaho State University, Jerry knows the transformative power of supportive educational programs. Jerry holds a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and a minor in Mathematics. Throughout his undergraduate years, he served as a mentor for Upward Bound during the summers, giving back to a program that had such a profound impact on his own life. In Jerry's words, "TRIO has been a defining force in my life and I wouldn't be where I am today without it. The advisors and people I've met through the program inspired me to pursue my passions and make a difference in this community."

• TRIO Pre-college Youth Programs
• How our programs can benefit you
• How to apply for Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math Science
• Eligibility Criteria
• How to apply for college and find financial aid
• Employment opportunities in Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math Science
• Scholarship/Internship opportunities
• The Upward Bound Programs' six-week Summer Academy

Val Williamson started his journey with TRIO in the summer of 1989 when he enrolled in the Upward Bound program as a freshman in high school. He loved being a part of the program and continued to work for Upward Bound and Student Support Services as a tutor/mentor and instructional leader while in college. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, he taught mathematics, STEM, and career exploration for approximately 20 years in Idaho and Wyoming school districts. Val later returned to Upward Bound, teaching mathematics, STEM, and robotics during the summers. In 2019, he helped coach TRIO's robotics team. Val has endorsements in secondary mathematics, special education, and history. He loves working with TRIO and has been a living witness to the positive impact the program can have on the lives of students. TRIOWorks!