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Upward Bound Director - Darrell E. Thornton, Jr. Ed.M

  darrell [dot] thornton [at] gwu [dot] edu (darrell[dot]thornton[at]gwu[dot]edu)

Greetings Upward Bound Family, 

It is my hope that this communication finds you well and whole. 

I’m Darrell E. Thornton, Jr., Director of Upward Bound here at George Washington University. Born and raised in Lakeland, FL (30 minutes east of Walt Disney). A 2008 graduate of McKeel Academy of Technology and a 2012 graduate of Bethune- Cookman University, with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Exceptional Student Education, K-12.  After graduation I moved to Huntsville, AL where my career began as an Special Education Collaborative Teacher in Title 1 schools  with Huntsville City Schools. After seven years in the classroom I transitioned from K-12 education to higher education and began working at Alabama A&M University as the Coordinator of Upward Bound until June 2021. 

In pursuit of furthering my education I enrolled into graduate school and worked as an Assistant Hall Director at SUNY at Buffalo from August 2021 until June 2023. Completing my master’s degree May 2023 in Higher Education Student Affairs Administration. 

As a former student of College Reach Out Program (Pre-College Program) and first-generation college student I understand the importance of programs of this magnitude, and its reach into our communities and students. My belief is that Pre-College Programs such as these empower and equip our youth from underrepresented areas, preparing them for post-secondary education and bridging the gap for college readiness. I am eagerly excited to continue the work of serving the communities that represent this population and who I am. Upward Bound here at George Washington University will be the pinnacle site in the “District”. 

When I’m not working you will find me in my element of spending time with family and friends, hanging with my Fraternity Brothers (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc), traveling, cooking, hosting gatherings, playing spades (I wrote the game), and laughing. I’m a huge lover of music, HBCU bands/football, Law & Order SVU, Reality TV and Abbott Elementary. 

I do believe that every student has the right and ability to learn, it’s our responsibility as educators to show every student this possibility. Lastly, family, I’m very excited and welcoming the opportunity to personally meet every parent and student within this program. Your support and buy-in is greatly needed and wanted. I'm excited about our future here at GW Upward Bound. Remember, let's “Lift, as we climb”. 

I firmly believe that “As ONE we all shall rise, TOGETHER nonetheless.”