Welcome to UT Austin GEAR UP. UT Austin GEAR UP is spearheaded by the Institute of Public School Initiatives housed at the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Currently, we hold 2017 and 2018 GEAR UP Partnership Grants funded by the Department of Education. We serve 12 school districts in the Greater Austin, San Antonio, and East Texas Regions.
UT Austin GEAR UP’s goal is to ensure that our students are prepared for, pursue and succeed in postsecondary education whether that be a bachelors degree, associates degree, certificate, apprenticeship, and other training.
UT Austin GEAR UP Staff

Cathy Moak
Educator Professional Development Project Manager
Jeri-Ashley Bremer
Educator Senior Field Trainer
Kelli Taylor
Educator Senior Field Trainer
Candy Vera
Educator Senior Field Trainer

Noe Benavidez
Project Manager for Industry Development and Higher Education Liaison

Willie Castrejon
College Admissions and Aid Specialist

Chelsea Fernandez
College and Career Readiness Specialist

Bomin Kim
Research Program Coordinator

Kristyne Blackburn
Finance Manager

Phyllis Broz
Administrative Program Coordinator
Margarita Gomez
Administrative Assistant / Data Clerk

Natalya White
Administrative Program Coordinator
2017 UT Austin GEAR UP Coordinators and Administrative Assistants
Mary Hernandez
GEAR UP Coordinator, Del Valle ISD
Cheryl Rimes
GEAR UP Coordinator, Del Valle ISD
Dominique Simmons
GEAR UP Coordinator, Del Valle ISD
Crystal Watts
GEAR UP Coordinator, Del Valle ISD
Brock Chase
GEAR UP Coordinator, East Central ISD
Harrison Kogl
GEAR UP Coordinator, East Central ISD
Pamela Salazar
GEAR UP Coordinator, East Central ISD
Jesse Alvarado
GEAR UP Coordinator, Edgewood ISD
Lizet Casas
GEAR UP Coordinator, Edgewood ISD
Natalie Hernandez
GEAR UP Coordinator, Edgewood ISD
Samuel Marquez
GEAR UP Coordinator, Lockhart ISD
Mary Perez
GEAR UP Coordinator, Lockhart ISD
Elyssa Castillo
GEAR UP Coordinator, Manor ISD
Morgan Brooks
GEAR UP Coordinator, Manor ISD
Greer Del Rio
GEAR UP Coordinator, San Marcos ISD
Megan Mossman
GEAR UP Coordinator, San Marcos CISD
Jessica Hernandez
Administrative Assistant, San Marcos CISD
Melanie Thompson
GEAR UP Coordinator, Somerset ISD
2018 UT Austin GEAR UP Coordinators and Administrative Assistants
Jenny Bush
GEAR UP Coordinator, Livingston ISD
Chelsey Stephens
Administrative Assistant, Livingston ISD
Nick Mercado
GEAR UP Coordinator, Lockhart ISD
Gerra Murray
GEAR UP Coordinator, Lockhart ISD
Carrie Smith
Administrative Assistant, Lockhart ISD
Layla Perez
GEAR UP Coordinator, Navasota ISD
Kaitlynn Bell
Administrative Assistant, Navasota ISD
Brittney Posey
GEAR UP Coordinator, San Marcos CISD
Amadeo Villanueva
GEAR UP Coordinator, San Marcos CISD
Cynthia Aguayo
GEAR UP Coordinator, South San Antonio ISD
Aileen Camacho
GEAR UP Coordinator, South San Antonio ISD
Gissella Quezada
GEAR UP Coordinator, Southside ISD
Amalia Salas
GEAR UP Coordinator, Southside ISD
Melissa Pesina
Administrative Assistant, Southside ISD