Fall 2026: Summer Internships, College Milestones, and TUPPY

Fall brings a new rhythm to The Upward Project. Our newest Scholars are settling into college life, returning Scholars are building on meaningful summer experiences, and our team is strengthening the systems that help us support each student along the way.

This month, we’re excited to share what employers said about our Scholars’ summer internships, celebrate the college beginnings featured on social media as Freshmen Fridays, and introduce TUPPY, our custom built Scholar Management System.

Across these updates is a shared story: talented students making the most of opportunities, supported by relationships and resources that help them move forward.

Your partnership supports every stage of this journey, from a Scholar’s first weeks on campus to the professional experiences that shape their future. Thank you for investing in our Scholars and helping us build a community where they can thrive.

Summer Internships: What Employers Had to Say

Our Scholars spent the summer contributing to research, businesses, healthcare organizations, and community programs. Their supervisors’ feedback offers a powerful picture of the skills, initiative, and curiosity they brought to their work.

Behind these numbers are students developing confidence, discovering their strengths, and learning where they want their careers to take them. Supervisors highlighted Scholars’ creativity, communication, technical skills, and eagerness to learn, alongside their ability to build relationships and contribute to their teams.

These experiences are an essential part of the TUP journey: opportunities to apply classroom learning, build professional networks, and take meaningful steps toward a fulfilling career.

Freshmen Fridays: New Campuses, Familiar Connections

This fall, our Freshmen Fridays social media posts highlighted glimpses into Cohort 9’s first weeks of college: first classes, campus activities, new friendships, and the excitement of finding their place.

From Mia’s first day of classes at Washington University in St. Louis to Elmeria’s pre-orientation experience at MIT, Jose’s arrival at Brown, and Omar’s involvement in club soccer at Duke, our newest Scholars are beginning to make their campuses their own.

Clockwise from top left: Elmeria at MIT, Mia at Washington University, Jose at Brown, Amir and Yujia at Harvard, Omar at Duke, #20, and Zihang and Annalisa at Boston College.

We’ve also loved seeing TUP connections continue beyond Summer Intensive. At Boston College, Annalisa and Zihang found themselves in the same chemistry class, a familiar face as they navigate a new environment.

Every member of Cohort 9 successfully matriculated to college. As Scholars have moved through their first semester, our team has already supported them with academic planning, time management, financial aid questions, and access to the resources they need.

We’re proud to celebrate these beginnings and grateful to walk alongside our Scholars as they build their college communities.

Introducing TUPPY: An Investment in the Systems that Support Our Scholars

At The Upward Project, meaningful relationships and individualized support are at the heart of our work. As our community grows, we’re investing in the infrastructure that helps us sustain that personal attention throughout each Scholar’s college and early career journey.

TUPPY, our new custom built Scholar Management System, is bringing advising, academic progress, career experiences, and financial support information together in one place. Developed in partnership with EdAccess Lab and our newly hired Senior Strategy and Operations Manager, Zach Shapiro, the platform is designed to reduce time spent navigating separate systems and duplicating administrative work, giving our team more time for direct advising and mentorship.

TUPPY’s new dashboard is helping us see patterns across our advising:

These insights help us understand how Scholars are engaging and where support is needed. As we continue building TUPPY, it will help us recognize emerging needs, coordinate support, and better understand each Scholar’s progress. It will also strengthen our ability to follow Scholars beyond college graduation, learning more about their career progression and long-term economic mobility.

This investment supports the depth and continuity that define the TUP experience, helping us grow thoughtfully while keeping each Scholar’s goals and needs at the center of our work.

If you are interested in connecting with The Upward Project, please fill out our engagement interest form. A member of our team will reach out to you.

Adapted from the original newsletter sent November 2, 2026.