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ASPIRE x GEAR UP Nashville
Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series
ASPIRE is proud to partner with GEAR UP Nashville to deliver Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series, a student-centered program designed to help recent graduates and career-readiness students prepare for college, careers, and life after graduation.
This partnership brings together GEAR UP Nashville’s commitment to increasing college and career readiness with ASPIRE’s mission to help students build vision, confidence, leadership identity, and practical tools for their next chapter.
Through in-person sessions, career exposure, virtual vision experiences, mentorship, and community connection, Dream BLDRS helps students move from possibility to preparation.
Up Next
Photos from the ASPIRE x GEAR UP Nashville Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series kickoff event at NKA Gallery in Nashville. The event brought together recent graduates, career-readiness students, community leaders, and partners to launch a summer experience focused on college, careers, confidence, and life after graduation.
Kick Off Event
Friday, June 26, 2026
Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series. Register for Summer Progam
Pre-Conference Virtual Session
Friday, July 17
Build confidence before D.C. through vision, pitches, and etiquette.
National GEAR UP Conference
July 20–22, 2026
Experience the National GEAR UP Conference in Washington, D.C.
Aspire Breakfast Mixer
July 29, 2026
Reconnect, reflect, and build relationships over breakfast.
Upcoming
Prepare for the National GEAR UP Conference with ASPIRE and Dream BLDRS. Join Patrick Walker-Reese for an interactive virtual session covering vision statements, elevator pitches, networking, and conference etiquette.
Aspire x GEAR UP National Conference Virtual Pre-Conference Session
Preparing for Success Before the Journey Begins.
Before traveling to the National GEAR UP Conference, Aspire hosted an interactive virtual session to help students build confidence, strengthen professional communication, and prepare to represent themselves and GEAR UP Nashville with purpose.
Led by Patrick Walker-Reese, the session focused on helping students make meaningful first impressions while developing the mindset and communication skills needed to maximize their conference experience. Through guided activities and discussion, students refined their personal stories, practiced introducing themselves, and learned how to confidently engage with peers, educators, and professionals from across the country.
Aspire x GEAR UP at the National GEAR UP Conference
Expanding Vision Through National Exposure.
The National GEAR UP Conference provided students with an opportunity to experience learning beyond the classroom while connecting with educators, professionals, and student leaders from across the country. As part of the Aspire x GEAR UP Career-Readiness Summer Series, students traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in one of the nation's premier college and career readiness conferences.
Throughout the conference, students engaged in leadership development, professional networking, educational workshops, and career exploration while representing GEAR UP Nashville on a national stage. Aspire extended the learning experience by facilitating a Dream BLDRS workshop that encouraged students to reflect on what they learned, strengthen their personal vision, and translate new ideas into actionable goals.
Aspire x GEAR UP Breakfast Mixer
The Aspire x GEAR UP Breakfast Mixer is an interactive networking experience designed to connect students with the professionals, leaders, and organizations shaping today's workforce. Hosted as part of the Aspire and GEAR UP Career Readiness initiative, the Breakfast Mixer creates meaningful opportunities for students to build relationships, explore career pathways, and gain firsthand insight into life beyond graduation.
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Quick Answers
College Readiness, Career Readiness, and Life Readiness
Join ASPIRE and GEAR UP Nashville for the official kickoff of Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series.
About the Partnership
College Readiness, Career Readiness, and Life Readiness
The ASPIRE x GEAR UP Nashville partnership brings together two aligned missions: helping students believe in what is possible and equipping them with the tools to prepare for what comes next.
GEAR UP Nashville supports students, families, schools, and communities through college access, postsecondary preparation, and career-readiness resources. ASPIRE builds on that foundation by helping students develop vision, confidence, self-awareness, leadership skills, and readiness for life after graduation.
Together, this partnership creates a bridge between college readiness, career readiness, and life readiness.
Through Dream BLDRS, ASPIRE and GEAR UP Nashville are helping students explore their next steps with greater clarity and confidence. The program combines student-centered development, real-world exposure, career conversations, vision-building sessions, and community support to help students prepare for college, careers, entrepreneurship, and life beyond high school.
With the theme “College and more,” this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to meeting students where they are and helping them move forward with purpose.
About Dream BLDRS
A Student Development Experience by ASPIRE
Dream BLDRS is ASPIRE’s student development experience created to help young people build the vision, confidence, and discipline needed to pursue meaningful futures.
For the Career-Readiness Summer Series, Dream BLDRS is focused on supporting recent graduates and career-readiness students as they transition from high school into college, career pathways, entrepreneurship, and adult life.
The series expands the conversation beyond college readiness alone. It helps students prepare for college, careers, leadership, personal growth, and the real-life decisions that come after graduation.
This is college and more.
Who This Program Is For
Built for Career-Readiness Students and Recent Grads
Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series is built for:
- Recent graduates
- Career-readiness students
- Students preparing for life after high school
- Students exploring college, career, or postsecondary pathways
- Students who want to build confidence, direction, and next-step readiness
- Students who need support navigating life after graduation
This series is especially focused on helping students develop the mindset, communication skills, exposure, and practical tools needed to move forward with purpose.
College and More: A Broader View of Student Success
College readiness matters. Career readiness matters. Confidence, identity, purpose, and community matter too.
That is why the theme for this series is “College and more.”
For students preparing for life after high school, success is not defined by one path alone. Dream BLDRS helps students explore multiple pathways while building the mindset and tools to pursue the future with confidence.
Whether a student is preparing for college, entering the workforce, exploring entrepreneurship, considering a trade, or still figuring out their next step, Dream BLDRS is designed to meet them where they are and help them move forward.
Outcomes & Insights
Measure participation. Understand impact. Improve future experiences.
Student feedback, strengths assessments, and program data that help Aspire and GEAR UP Nashville measure impact, understand student needs, and shape future college and career readiness experiences.
Student Interests & Career Goals
What Students Want to Explore
Student Interest Survey Results
Every Dream BLDRS experience begins by listening. Before programming starts, students share the opportunities and topics they are most interested in exploring. These insights help Aspire and GEAR UP Nashville tailor workshops, speakers, career experiences, and future programming around the goals that matter most—from scholarships and internships to leadership, entrepreneurship, and career exploration.
Discovering Student Strengths
Understanding Student Strengths
Dream BLDRS Strengths Assessment
Students completed the Dream BLDRS Strengths Assessment to better understand how they naturally communicate, collaborate, solve problems, and lead. These insights provide a foundation for personal growth while helping students recognize how their strengths can contribute to college, careers, and future leadership opportunities.
Program Interests & Future Opportunities
Planning What's Next
Future Learning Interests
Students also identified the programs and resources they would like to learn more about beyond the summer series. Responses highlight strong interest in scholarships, internships, summer programs, mentoring, and career certifications, helping Aspire and GEAR UP Nashville shape future programming that aligns with student aspirations and educational pathways.
Student Reflections
Biggest Takeaways from Dream BLDRS
Student Voices
Learning is most meaningful when students can describe how it has changed their thinking. Following the session, participants reflected on their biggest takeaways, sharing how Dream BLDRS strengthened their confidence, encouraged bigger thinking, reinforced the importance of vision, and inspired them to pursue their goals with greater purpose.
GEAR UP College & Career Readiness Data Recap
DreamBLDRS × GEAR UP | Pre-Assessment & Strengths Assessment | Spring 2026
Every GEAR UP program is unique, but the mission is the same: helping students prepare for college, careers, and lifelong success. Aspire partners with GEAR UP chapters across the country to deliver Dream BLDRS®, an award-winning, research-driven college and career readiness program that equips students with the mindset, leadership skills, and practical tools to thrive beyond graduation.
From keynote experiences and interactive workshops to career tours, conference programming, student leadership academies, and customized learning pathways, Aspire works alongside GEAR UP teams to create engaging experiences that align with grant objectives while inspiring measurable student growth.
Executive Summary
The DreamBLDRS × GEAR UP College & Career Readiness Assessment provides a comprehensive baseline of students' postsecondary aspirations, leadership strengths, and career readiness. The findings reveal a cohort of students who are highly motivated to attend college, confident in their futures, and equipped with many of the foundational characteristics needed for long-term success. Students demonstrated strong knowledge of college admissions, financial aid, and career planning while also identifying collaborative leadership, self-awareness, and continuous improvement as defining personal strengths. Together, these assessments show that students possess both the ambition and the potential to thrive, while reinforcing the value of continued leadership development, career exploration, and experiential learning opportunities.
IDEA • INSIGHT • IMPACT
IDEA
The DreamBLDRS × GEAR UP College & Career Readiness Assessment provides a comprehensive baseline of students' postsecondary aspirations, leadership strengths, and career readiness. The findings reveal a cohort of students who are highly motivated to attend college, confident in their futures, and equipped with many of the foundational characteristics needed for long-term success. Students demonstrated strong knowledge of college admissions, financial aid, and career planning while also identifying collaborative leadership, self-awareness, and continuous improvement as defining personal strengths. Together, these assessments show that students possess both the ambition and the potential to thrive, while reinforcing the value of continued leadership development, career exploration, and experiential learning opportunities.
INSIGHT
Beyond college readiness, students demonstrated strong leadership potential through the DreamBLDRS Strengths Assessment. The qualities students most frequently identified in themselves were:
Supportive, Visionary, Integrity, Optimistic, Communication
These characteristics reflect a student population that values collaboration, service, and positive relationships. Students also identified Owl (Collaboration) and Bear (Accommodation) as their dominant leadership styles, indicating a preference for teamwork, relationship building, and supporting others over individual competition. When asked what strengths ultimately produce, students overwhelmingly selected Awareness and Improvement, followed by Confidence, demonstrating an understanding that leadership is rooted in continuous personal growth rather than perfection. These findings align closely with the goals of GEAR UP by reinforcing the importance of self-awareness, communication, and leadership as essential college and career readiness competencies.
IMPACT
Together, the College & Career Readiness Assessment and the DreamBLDRS Strengths Assessment establish a powerful baseline for future programming. Students already believe they can achieve their career goals (4.44/5) and report strong understanding of educational requirements (4.67/5), college application processes (4.70/5), and scholarships and financial aid (4.73/5). The strengths assessment builds upon this confidence by demonstrating that students already view themselves as collaborative leaders who value service, integrity, and personal growth. The greatest opportunity moving forward is helping students transform this confidence into action through career exploration, mentorship, college visits, industry partnerships, leadership development, and experiential learning. Most notably, the DreamBLDRS Strengths experience received a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 average rating, with every participant awarding the program the highest possible score—demonstrating exceptional engagement, relevance, and student satisfaction.
Executive Highlights
Student Participation
- 14 Students Completed the College & Career Readiness Pre-Assessment
- 11 Students Completed the DreamBLDRS Strengths Assessment
Postsecondary Aspirations
100% of responding students plan to attend a four-year college.
Top Career Interest
Healthcare
Highest Rated College Readiness Indicators
College Application Knowledge (4.70 / 5)
Scholarship & Financial Aid Knowledge (4.73 / 5)
Understanding Career Requirements 4.67 / 5
Confidence in Achieving Career Goals (4.44 / 5)
Students Believe Strengths Lead To
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Awareness
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Improvement
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Confidence
Top Leadership Characteristics
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Supportive
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Visionary
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Integrity
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Optimistic
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Communication
Dominant Leadership Styles
Aspire Dream BLDRS™ Animal Strengths and Conflict-Management Styles
The Aspire Dream BLDRS™ Animal Strengths—Gorilla, Rabbit, Bear, Fox, and Owl—help learners recognize how they approach goals, relationships, decisions, and conflict. Used across Aspire’s leadership development, student success, social-emotional learning, professional-development, team-building, and workforce-readiness programs, the visual framework turns abstract leadership concepts into memorable tools learners can understand and apply.
Dream BLDRS™ Strengths: Bear | Accommodation
Dream BLDRS™ Strengths: Owl | Collaboration
Student Satisfaction
5.0 / 5.0 Average Program Rating
100% of participants rated the DreamBLDRS Strengths experience a perfect 5 out of 5.
Conclusion
The DreamBLDRS × GEAR UP assessments reveal a student population that is both college-minded and leadership-ready. Students possess ambitious postsecondary aspirations, confidence in their ability to succeed, and a strong understanding of the college-going process. Equally important, they recognize the value of collaboration, integrity, communication, and continuous self-improvement as essential leadership qualities. These findings suggest that students are entering the next phase of their educational journey with both the knowledge and mindset necessary for success. Continued investments in career exploration, leadership development, mentorship, and real-world learning experiences will help bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement, ensuring students are fully prepared for success in college, careers, and beyond.
Partner with Aspire for Your GEAR UP Program
Ready to Build the Next Generation of Leaders?
Schedule a discovery call to explore how Aspire can support your GEAR UP initiative with customized programming, conference experiences, leadership development, career readiness workshops, student engagement strategies, and integrated marketing support. Whether you're planning a one-day event or a multi-year initiative, we'll help you build a program that students remember—and one that delivers lasting impact for your audience.
ASPIRE x GEAR UP Nashville Dream BLDRS Kickoff Event Photos
Photos from the ASPIRE x GEAR UP Nashville Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series kickoff event at NKA Gallery in Nashville. The event brought together recent graduates, career-readiness students, community leaders, and partners to launch a summer experience focused on college, careers, confidence, and life after graduation.
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- ASPIRE and GEAR UP Nashville kicked off Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series at NKA Gallery, helping recent graduates and career-readiness students build confidence, connection, and readiness for life after high school.
Marketing & Communications
Behind every successful program is clear, consistent communication. Throughout the ASPIRE x GEAR UP Nashville Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series, a strategic marketing campaign helped build awareness, drive registration, and keep students and families engaged from kickoff through program completion. From event announcements and speaker spotlights to social media campaigns, digital flyers, and recap content, every touchpoint was designed to create excitement, communicate value, and encourage participation.
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- ASPIRE x GEAR UP Nashville presents Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series featuring EJ Reed, Co-founder and CEO of Slim & Husky’s, for a conversation on Life After College.
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- ASPIRE x GEAR UP Nashville presents Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series hosted by Patrick Walker-Reese, educator and bestselling author.
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- ASPIRE x GEAR UP Nashville presents Dream BLDRS: Career-Readiness Summer Series, a college and career readiness experience for recent grads and career-readiness students.
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- ASPIRE and GEAR UP Nashville travel to Washington, D.C. for the National GEAR UP Conference, connecting students with educators, leaders, and opportunities from across the country.
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- ASPIRE and GEAR UP Nashville travel to Washington, D.C. for the National GEAR UP Conference, connecting students with educators, leaders, and opportunities from across the country.
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- Reconnect after Washington, D.C. during Aspire’s Breakfast Mixer where students reflect, connect, share opportunities, and continue building relationships established throughout the summer.
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- Aspire x GEAR UP Nashville Breakfast Mixer featuring student panelists reflecting on their experiences from the National GEAR UP Conference. The event encourages networking, leadership, and community building while helping students transform conference inspiration into future action.
Partner with Aspire for Your GEAR UP Program
Every GEAR UP program is unique, but the mission is the same: helping students prepare for college, careers, and lifelong success. Aspire partners with GEAR UP chapters across the country to deliver Dream BLDRS®, an award-winning, research-driven college and career readiness program that equips students with the mindset, leadership skills, and practical tools to thrive beyond graduation.
From keynote experiences and interactive workshops to career tours, conference programming, student leadership academies, and customized learning pathways, Aspire works alongside GEAR UP teams to create engaging experiences that align with grant objectives while inspiring measurable student growth.
Whether you're planning a one-day event or a multi-year initiative, we'll help you build a program that students remember—and one that delivers lasting impact for your community.
Ready to Bring Dream BLDRS to Your GEAR UP Program?
Schedule a discovery call to explore how Aspire can support your GEAR UP initiative with customized programming, conference experiences, leadership development, career readiness workshops, student engagement strategies, and integrated marketing support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Aspire to discuss your school, district, conference, nonprofit, university, or corporate initiative and learn how Dream BLDRS® can help students build the confidence, skills, and vision needed to succeed in college, careers, and life.
Contact Aspire to discuss your school, district, conference, nonprofit, university, or corporate initiative and learn how Dream BLDRS® can help students build the confidence, skills, and vision needed to succeed in college, careers, and life.
Contact Aspire to discuss your school, district, conference, nonprofit, university, or corporate initiative and learn how Dream BLDRS® can help students build the confidence, skills, and vision needed to succeed in college, careers, and life.