College Initiative Upstate creates pathways to and through college for people living in Tompkins County with barriers to higher education including: court involvement, former incarceration, low-income and people at a stable place in recovery.
College Initiative Upstate (CIU) is a learning community of students, educators, and volunteers who are working together to build pathways to and through college for people who are court-involved or formerly incarcerated, people in a stable place in their recovery, or low-income (including housing choice voucher recipients). CIU’s model provides the resources for college preparation, college enrollment, and community leadership – all free of charge. The only requirements are a high school diploma or equivalency, residency in Tompkins County, and a strong desire to continue their educational goals. By effectively addressing the individual and structural barriers to higher education, including the gap in preparation for college, CIU offers a life-changing path for non-traditional students experiencing issues related to legal involvement, poverty, and recovery.
This button will direct you to our contact page to send us an inquiry. This is the first step to getting involved with CIU.
CIU's office is located at the TC3 Extension Center, Room 501
Above the M&T Bank Building on the Ithaca Commons
Office Hours at TC3 Extension: M - Thurs. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Meet the CIU Staff
Sherron Brown: sbrown.oar.ciu@gmail.com, (607) 351-3201
Benay Rubenstein: benay.rubenstein@gmail.com, (607) 351-5028