GEAR UP Maui
GEAR UP Maui is an acronym for Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. This federal grant is administered through the UH Maui College as a partnership with education, businesses, culture and community. Our current local school partners have included Kalama Intermediate, King Kekaulike High School, Maui Waena Intermediate and Maui High School.
GEAR UP is a federally funded grant sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. We have supported the Class of 2024 Cohort from their 7th grade year, and will continue through their Senior and first year after high school graduation.
We provide various support services and resources including:
- College, Career and Culture opportunities and experiences.
- Academic Support -Enrichment Activities-Mentoring-CTE and Career-Community Volunteerism-College Credit, FAFSA submissions,
- Financial Aid and Scholarship resources.
- Financial Literacy, Decision Making and so much more!
Our grant includes the ‘ALAKA’I EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY’ which is a progressive workshop series with place based learning and leadership building curriculum. GEAR UP Maui ultimately brings together the education system and community to enhance our Maui student cohort’ academic performance, college enrollment, family engagement and post high school planning. This is done through the KA’AO Transformation Methodology.
We are here to Navigate our Student Success into the next Generation! JOIN US in making a difference today for the future of Maui Nui!!
GEAR UP Staff
Shawn Ka’eo Perry Jr.
sperry67@hawaii.edu | 808.269.1849
Shawn is GEAR UP Maui’s first student Alakaʻi. He was a full time student at UHMC pursuing his Associate Degree and working for GEAR UP Maui. Ka’eo provides expertise through our Social Media Campaign, assisting with student services and facilitating program goals. He is currently one of our grant NAVIGATORS(advisor) and works directly with the Haumana and Community Partners. He is also a local part time business owner of Ua Hana Ke Kāne. Ka’eo has a passion for education and helping students. He plans on pursuing a Degree in Psychology/Counseling career in Counseling/Teaching High School students.
Shandell Lehua Kaopio
skaopio@hawaii.edu | 808.269.7312
Shandell is the senior Counselor-Navigator staff member of GEAR UP Maui. She brings her passion for education, youth, culture and ʻŌlelo to the grant and maintaining the objectives thereof. She is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Hawaii- Manoa. She is currently pursuing her Master Degree in Indigenous Students from ASU and plans to pursue a career in education by becoming a Teacher and administrator in secondary education
Sheron Leihuanani Bissen
mauigear@hawaii.edu | 808.269.0743
Sheron Leihuanani Bissen is a Maui Native whose passion for helping others has turned into a lifelong career in education, public relations, hospitality and business. She brings her passion for Maui Nui’s next generation of leaders and success stories to the grant through engagement with students, parents, and cohort school staff & Kumu. She is a graduate of H.P. Baldwin High School, the original Maui Community College and the UH Manoa Campus with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations. ‘Aunty Leihua’ as she is affectionately called is the Director of GEAR UP Maui grant program @ UHMC.