Summer 2025: Internships, Summer Intensive, and a New Cohort

Originally sent by Mindy Wright on August 5, 2025. This archived newsletter includes announcements and deadlines from that time.

Happy Summer! We’re stepping into the second half of 2025 with deep pride and renewed energy. This July, we welcomed Cohort VIII, 16 remarkable scholars who have already begun forming powerful connections with each other and our growing team. We also wrapped up our 2-Week Summer Intensive, an in-person programming launch into their Upward Project journey full of learning, laughter, and moments that affirmed why this work matters. We are also excited to share what our college Scholars are up to via our Summer Scholar Spotlight, showcasing the inspiring paths of our students who are thriving professionally and personally.

Thank you for walking alongside us as we continue building toward a more equitable future. Dive into this month’s updates below!

The Next Generation of TUP Leaders: Meet Cohort VIII!

We are thrilled to introduce our newest class of Upward Project Scholars: Cohort VIII! This cohort reflects the vibrant diversity of Greater Boston, with scholars hailing from Lynn, Mattapan, Dorchester, and East Boston, and representing nine different high schools across Greater Boston.

Cohort VIII Scholars will be attending 14 different colleges and universities, including Babson College, Columbia University, Princeton University, and The University of Miami. They are pursuing ambitious academic goals, with declared majors such as Biological Sciences, Entrepreneurial Business, and Public Health & Biology.

As we celebrate Cohort VIII, we extend our sincere thanks to our network of nominators and partners. Your continued support makes this possible, we look forward to working with these brilliant Scholars in the year ahead!

2025 Summer Intensive Recap

This past June, The Upward Project hosted its 2025 2-Week Summer Intensive for Cohort VIII, preparing our 16 Scholars for their first year of college through an immersive blend of college & career readiness workshops, career pathway exploration, and community building.

In our workshops such as Executive Functioning & Time Management, College Academic Calendar, and College-Level Research & Writing, Scholars developed concrete strategies to manage academic life and transition confidently to campus.

Career trips to Harvard MEDScience, Klaviyo, MFS, CDM Smith, and the Massachusetts State House exposed Scholars to professionals from diverse fields. The message resonated: paths aren’t always linear, and that’s okay.

From cheering each other on at the Alnoba ropes course on our day trip to New Hampshire, to networking with past generations of TUP Scholars at our Welcome & Reunion Dinner, Cohort VIII grew into a funny, curious, and tight-knit cohort.

Career Success Summer Spotlights: Andy Dinh

This summer, nearly 90% of our current college Scholars are gaining hands-on experience through paid internships, while others are enrolled in academic courses, volunteering, or participating in study abroad programs. No matter the path, The Upward Project is committed to ensuring every summer experience is intentionally aligned with each Scholar’s career goals.

Our Scholars are gaining experience across all four of our core career pathways, STEM, Business, Law, and Healthcare, through placements at companies and organizations such as MGH, Fidelity, Boston Community Pediatrics, Capital One, Ragon Institute, Shawmut Design and Construction, JP Morgan, Beacon Climate Innovations, Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, and Cambridge Health Alliance.

Whether in the classroom, the workplace, or abroad, our Scholars are putting their career goals into action, and thriving.

Looking at how far we've come, it’s clear: our programming is stronger than ever, and the relationships we’ve built, with scholars, alumni, and partners, are at the heart of it all. We’re especially proud of the incredible team that’s come together to lead this work with care, clarity, and passion.

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.