Aiming high: One student’s path to higher education runs through GEAR UP Achieve
July 17, 2025
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Jessean Patterson is a GEAR UP Achieve student and rising ninth grader at Pike County High School.
For Jessean Patterson, the sky is the limit. But first comes high school.
The rising ninth grade student from Brundidge, Alabama, is a GEAR UP Achieve scholar at Pike County High School, and his resume is already bursting at the seams.
“If you think about it, a lot of people weren’t allowed to have an education,” Patterson said. “Some people don’t like to go to school, but I love to go to school. While I’m there, I might as well do my best and try my hardest.”
His hard work is paying off.
Patterson, who is described as an “outstanding kid” by Region 11 GEAR UP Achieve School Liaison Susan Hudspeth, earned the highest grade in his eighth-grade class in physical science and world history, was named to the ‘A’ Honor Roll, earned a certificate honoring 100% mastery of math standards and was awarded a certificate of excellence from the school’s Peer Helpers program. And he recently spent a week at GEAR UP Achieve Camp at Auburn University, a residential summer camp opportunity for selected GEAR UP Achieve students to grow academically and to familiarize themselves with postsecondary education opportunities.
Jessean Patterson takes a turn with a stethoscope, listening for a mannequin patient's heartbeat as part of a tour of Southern Union State Community College's Health Sciences Laboratories. The college tour was part of the GEAR UP Achieve summer residential camp at Auburn.
Jessean Patterson, second from right, joined classmates from Pike County on a GEAR UP Achieve summer day camp to tour Auburn University at Montgomery.
Jessean Patterson, Auburn's Tiger mascot Aubie and GEAR UP Achieve Region 11 School Liaison Susan Hudspeth pose for a celebratory photo at the closing ceremony of the GEAR UP Achieve summer residential camp at Auburn.
“I just feel a sense of accomplishment. I am very proud of myself,” Patterson said of his recent recognition.
Through GEAR UP Achieve, he has enjoyed hearing from various university recruiters who have visited Pike County High School, including from Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) and Troy University, visiting college campuses through summer camps and expanding his skillset through hands-on activities led by Hudspeth and GEAR UP Achieve partners.
“Jessean is an excellent student and a great example to his peers that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve your goals. I expect great things from him over the next four years and beyond,” said Hudspeth.
As he looks ahead to high school, Patterson has his sights set high.
“I plan to keep making all As and being the best that I can be and then come senior year, hopefully I'll be valedictorian. My auntie did it, so I want to do it, too,” he said.
And he doesn’t plan to stop there.
“I want to study law, maybe at Howard University or Alabama A&M, and become an attorney,” Patterson said. “I’m really drawn to the idea of attending an HBCU because it looks like they're not just about learning — they look like they’re having a lot of fun, too.”
Through participation in GEAR UP Achieve, Patterson’s path to higher education will be supported with college and career readiness workshops, tutoring and academic support, mentorship and college and career exploration opportunities. Upon completion of the program and high school graduation, a scholarship will be available to him and each GEAR UP Achieve student to attend a two-year or four-year school or accredited trade program of their choice.
Thus far, in addition to attending the week-long residential camp, Patterson has participated in GEAR UP Achieve sessions that included talks from university recruiters, a career cluster session, a four-year planning session, a session on study skills and lessons in financial literacy and scholarships. He also took part in a day trip to AUM earlier in the summer.
“Students like Jessean deserve to accomplish their goals and land their dream careers. We have the privilege to help them succeed through GEAR UP Achieve,” Hudspeth said.
Established in fall 2023 at Auburn, GEAR UP Achieve is a seven-year grant that follows a select cohort of current rising ninth grade students through their high school years and into their first year of postsecondary education or career path to help ensure greater career and college readiness and success. Scholarships to accredited institutions of higher education will be available to students who complete the GEAR UP Achieve program.
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federally funded initiative designed to help students prepare for and succeed in education and training beyond high school. By increasing career and college readiness, GEAR UP contributes to a stronger workforce and economic growth. The program helps prepare students for the demands of the 21st-century job market, benefiting both individuals and the local and national economy.
