Donavin Brown, a junior at Grand Junction High School and dedicated member of Colorado Mesa University’s TRIO Upward Bound program, has earned a spot in the highly selective STARS @ MIT program. He is one of just 20 students nationwide to be chosen for this opportunity.
This October, Brown will travel to Boston for three days of immersive experiences, including hands-on STEM workshops, mentorship with current MIT students, and direct engagement with MIT faculty. The fully funded program is designed to support high-achieving, first-generation students from small towns who aspire to continue their education at elite institutions.
Brown has been an active member in CMU’s Upward Bound program since the end of his eighth-grade year at East Middle School. This past summer, with guidance from his Upward Bound advisor at Grand Junction High School, Josue Acevedo, Brown identified MIT as one of his top college choices. After researching opportunities to visit and engage with MIT, he discovered the STARS @ MIT fly-in program. He worked diligently on his application and his acceptance reflects not only his academic talent but his resilience and grit to overcome challenges.
“Donavin is one of the brightest and most determined students I have ever known, always challenging himself to take on new opportunities to grow,” said Acevedo. “His natural gifts, paired with his compassion for others, make him a shining example of how determination and heart can turn any dream into reality.”
“Donavin embodies the CMU values of courage and curiosity,” said Shelby Burroughs Pryzgoda, Director of Upward Bound. “His hard work, integrity, and determination show that when we support students with passion and purpose, they can achieve opportunities once thought out of reach. We are all proud to see his love of learning recognized at the national level.”
For Brown, this program is more than just a trip to Boston. It is a glimpse into his future at a highly selective university.
“I never imagined myself getting to visit a highly prestigious institution like MIT, much less being a part of such an exclusive program to do so," Brown said. “Upward Bound made me realize my academic value to institutions, through many summer college tours, which I can confidently credit for the amazing opportunity I’ve received. I can say with certainty I would not be where I am if I never joined Upward Bound.”
Through Upward Bound, a federally funded TRIO program at Colorado Mesa University, Brown has been able to find a supportive community that cheers him on in everything he does. His achievement highlights the power of higher education and the promise of students from western Colorado.