Five members of our program staff are attending the 2009 NCCEP/GEAR UP Conference in San Francisco, July 19-22. The theme for this year’s nationwide gathering is “GEAR UP at the Forefront: Leading the Way in College Access.” During the four-day event, our staff will participate in meetings and workshops and share best practices with other college-access professionals from all over the country. Attending the conference are William Formicola, vice president of operations; Maria Carvalho, high school manager; Lauren Schechtman, middle school manager; Carolyn Beltran, family engagement coordinator; and Dwayne Clement, College Crusade Advisor. Brian Estrada, a 2009 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School in Providence, will also attend the event as a participant in the national Youth Leadership Summit.