UPWARD BOUND AT INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Meet Our Team
Staff Members
Micaela is native to Georgia and has been in Indiana for several years. She has been working with students and families since being in Indiana. Her passion for helping others connect with and cultivate the best versions of themselves continues with the Upward Bound program. Her primary responsibilities are centered around program objectives, collaborations, strategic planning, and initiatives to increase student college access.
Alongside her team, students will have exposure to cultural and educational explorations, self-development, and life skills that will impact and leave a lasting mark on them. Through managing the success and longevity of the program, along with creating a program tailored to education and self-development alongside her team, Micaela is honored to support the students of Indiana. Micaela is a college preparatory program graduate who understands the importance of mentors and exposure for one's self-esteem, success, and a healthier outlook on life. She currently holds her Masters degree in Human Service. The arts, spending time with family, cooking, and traveling are her favorite things to do.
Micaela Larkin
Director
Erica Farmer
Assistant Director
Erica firmly believes education is the key to unlocking opportunities beyond your wildest imagination. As the Upward Bound Assistant Director, it is her charge to create meaningful tutoring sessions, guide high school student’s understanding of their academic achievement and how it affects their future collegiate goals, plan cultural and academic experiences, schedule college visitations, and lead a 6-week summer program that emulates the college experience. Erica is a first-generation baccalaureate alumna with degrees in psychology and education from Indiana Wesleyan University. Erica has served in Grant and Wabash counties for nearly 20 years. Her professional background experiences as a former social worker for the Otis R. Bowen Center of Wabash County and public-school educator for Marion Community Schools and Wabash City Schools will allow her to guide, teach, encourage, prepare, and support Upward Bound students and their families. When she isn’t on campus getting used to the idea of having an office, you can find her traveling, spending time with family and friends, collecting Star Wars memorabilia, trying her hand at a new craft project, or running a digital marathon of a recently discovered television or movie series while her four cats run amuck.
Timber Ross
Office Manager
Timber is a motivated team-player responsible for the coordination and support of the general day to day administrative, clerical, and operational tasks related to the Upward Bound Program. You will find Timber behind the desk greeting visitors, families, and students as they enter the office. Timber is from Kentucky and moved to Marion 18 years ago. Timber is a first generation Upward Bound alumni who loves to see students reach for the stars and achieve their dreams. It is important for students to realize that with hard work and determination they can accomplish their goals. Timber received her practical nursing diploma from Marion Community School of Practical Nursing and her associate degree from Ivy Tech Community College in General Studies. Timber loves spending time with her husband, kids, family, and friends. She also enjoys being crafty, traveling, and exploring new places.