Sponsoring the next generation of STEM scholars

The Moreno Valley College Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) program is a federally funded grant from the US Department of Education. Since 2012, MVC's UBMS program has partnered with the Moreno Valley Unified School District and Vista del Lago High School to offer 62 students each year an interactive intensive pre-college experience designed to strengthen math and science skills.

UBMS helps students recognize and develop their potential to excel in math while encouraging them to pursue postsecondary degrees, and ultimately careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

In 2022, funding for MVC's UBMS program was extended with a five-year $1.488 million award.

Students gather around a table during a science activity
TRIO students pose with college representatives
TRIO students conduct a science experiment while wearing gloves and lab goggles

Application and Eligibility Requirements

Vista Del Lago ninth- and tenth-grade students may apply. There is no cost to students to participate. If you're interested in being part of UBMS, see eligibility requirements and apply today. Space is limited!
  • Be a citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States
  • Attend Vista Del Lago High School
  • May not be a senior at the time of application
  • Meet the US Department of Education Income Guidelines for TAXABLE INCOME and household size
  • Be a potential first generation college graduate (such as neither natural/adoptive parent/legal guardian with whom the student is living has received a bachelor [4-year] degree at the time student is accepted)
  • Have a "need" to be in the program (such as be able to benefit from participation)
  • Have successfully completed a unit of college-preparatory science each year of high school with a "C" or higher
  • Have successfully completed a unit of college-preparatory math each year of high school, including Algebra with a "C" or higher
  • Be interested in and/or have the potential to do well in an intensive science, technology, engineering, or math college program and career.

To apply, please download and fill out the following document:

Once you have completed the application and questionnaire, you may return them to the Career Center at Vista Del Lago High School, or mail it to:

Moreno Valley College
ATTN: Upward Bound Math & Science Program
Student Services 112
16130 Lasselle Street
Moreno Valley, CA 92551

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.

Prepare for Your Future Career

UBMS can help you prepare for college and a career in STEM:

  • STEM-related careers make up one of the fastest-growing segments of the 21st century marketplace
  • According to a report entitled "STEM: Good Jobs Now and for the Future," released in July 2011, workers in the so-called STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) occupations earn 26 percent more than workers in other fields
  • STEM workers of all educational levels earn more than their non-STEM peers
  • By 2018, STEM occupations will account for about 8.6 million

Chances are there's a STEM career that's right for you. There's no better time than now to begin preparing for one of these high-demand opportunities.

Learn more about UBMS

UBMS accomplishes its mission by utilizing a multidimensional approach and by providing comprehensive services.
  • Tutoring/Mentoring Connections
    • Available at MVC as well as in P-4 at Vista Del Lago High School and virtually through the TRIO Success Center 
    • Professional and Peer Mentoring/Networking
  • Activities and Workshops
    • Engaging hands-on STEM activities with UBMS partners, including the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Latinos in Science Club, The iMake Innovation Lab, and the Gaming and Simulation and mediGOAL programs
    • Lectures, presentations, workshops, hands-on activities conducted by professionals, researchers, college professors and graduate and undergraduate students.
    • Workshops for students and parent/guardians such as college/career awareness, financial literacy and planning, family engagement, college preparatory requirements, financial aid options, California’s Four Systems of postsecondary education, and more.
  • Field experiences to colleges/universities, laboratories, professional facilities, and cultural opportunities.
    • Family sessions 
    • College and Career Exploration
    • Referrals to special research, leadership, and internship programs
    • College admission test preparation and access to fee waivers for college applications and admission tests
    • Opportunities for concurrent enrollment and to earn elective high school graduation credits
    • Assistance with completing college, financial aid, scholarship, and internship applications
  • Saturday Academy programs 
  • Senior Summer Bridge 
  • Six-week Summer Academy 
  • Over 90% of UBMS Scholars have enrolled in a postsecondary educational program the fall immediately following high school
  • Over 60% of UBMS alumni are majoring in a field related to STEM.
  • 99% of UBMS Scholars graduated from high school in 4 years.
  • Successful participation in the Future Innovators of the Next Generation STEM Competition.
  • UBMS Scholars are enrolled in such colleges as University of California (UC), Los Angeles, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC San Diego, California State University (CSU), San Bernardino, Cal Poly Pomona, San Jose State University, CSU Fullerton, San Diego State University, Hampton University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Moreno Valley College.
  • UBMS Scholars have been selected to participate in prestigious research, educational, leadership, or internships, including the Nanotechnology Summer Institute, University of Southern California Wrigley Institute, Apprenticeship Bridge to College (ABC) Program at Loma Linda University, Kaiser Permanente, California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS), and the ASTERISK Program.
  • Field experiences to University of Southern California, UC San Diego, UC Riverside, Loyola Marymount University, San Diego State University, California Baptist University, UC Irvine, General Atomics, Bourns, Inc., JA Financial Park, UC Irvine Applied Innovation Center, and the California Science Center.
  • Participation in STEM Networking Events, including Aerospace Engineering Day, Inland Empire Hispanic Leadership Council Business Summit, and the Science and Technology Education Partnership Conference.

High school students from Vista del Lago High School from low income, potentially first generation backgrounds with potential in math and science
Foster youth, disconnected youth, homeless/McKinney Vinto youth, English Language Learners
United States Citizen or Legal Residency

Contact Us

We are here to help! Contact the Upward Bound Math & Science program if you have questions or need assistance. 

Director: Micki Grayson, (951) 571-6382

Assistant Director: Angel Orta-Perez, (951) 571-6379

Make an Appointment