Dina Ibarra, Ed.M. has been appointed the new director for UW GEAR UP/Rise Up team effective Jan 3, 2023. GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a national college-readiness program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. OMA&D, in partnership with 13 rural school districts in eastern Washington and NW Washington, sponsored the GEAR UP Rise Up Partnership to strengthen students’ pathways to college and careers by utilizing and leveraging science, technology, engineering ,and mathematics (STEM).
For the last five years Dina has served as the Director for the TRIO Educational Talent Search program which serves almost 700 students across six school districts in the Yakima Valley and Skagit Valley. Dina has provided strategic direction for student educational programing, managed activities to meet goals and objectives of the program and supported the ETS team as they counsel and advise their middle and high school students. Prior to joining the University of Washington ETS program, Dina served in leadership positions with Heritage University CAMP program and Washington State University Office of Admissions. In total Dina has over twelve years of experience working with students and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to expand access to higher education. Dina has also stepped up to leadership serving as past president of the Washington TRIO Association and been an active member of the Northwest Association of Educational Opportunities Program (NAEOP).
Dina states, “I am thrilled to join the University of Washington’s GEAR UP RISE UP team to continue to impact the lives of our students, families, and communities through college readiness programs and support services. I look forward to working with our school district partners and GEAR UP school staff to fulfill GEAR UP’s vision that all students are academically, socially, and financially prepared to enter and complete a postsecondary program. “ On the personal side, Dina hails from Grandview, WA and is a two-time graduate from WSU earning an Ed.M. in Educational Leadership and her B.A. in Humanities. Dina has two children, Ezra who is 16 and Jael who is 20. Dina’s hobbies all revolve around her children, family, and close friends.
Join us in congratulating Dina and wishing her well in her new role.