Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

Dr. Joshua Sparks named 2025 GEAR UP Alum Leader of the Year

July 28, 2025

Award recognizes GEAR UP Kentucky Alumnus for his lifelong dedication to student success

Dr. Joshua Sparks, an alumnus of GEAR UP Kentucky and the 2006 class of Elliott County High School, was named the 2025 GEAR UP Alum Leader of the Year during the National Council for Community and Education Partners (NCCEP) Conference in San Francisco, California, on July 16, 2025. This prestigious award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment, and advocacy for GEAR UP and its mission to support first-generation, low-income students in their pursuit of higher education.

Dr. Sparks, a full-time lecturer in the Department of Statistics and Data Science at UCLA, was recognized not only for his academic accomplishments but also for his lifelong dedication to giving back to the communities that shaped him.

Dr. Sparks says that his life was forever changed when he had the opportunity to attend the inaugural GEAR UP Kentucky Summer Academy, during which he spent three weeks on the Eastern Kentucky University campus as a high school student. There, he experienced college coursework and living for the first time, built lasting friendships, and formed life-changing mentorships. “It was there that I felt that, despite challenges, my destiny belonged to me, and I could shape my future," Dr. Sparks says.

Since then, Dr. Sparks, a first-generation college student, has earned multiple bachelor’s degrees from Eastern Kentucky University, master’s degrees from the University of Toronto, The George Washington University, and Vanderbilt University, and a Ph.D. in Statistics from The George Washington University.

"Dr. Joshua Sparks exemplifies the core values of GEAR UP, and his journey from a first-generation student to a leader in higher education is a testament to its transformative power,” says Alex Chough, NCCEP President. “As the 2025 GEAR UP Alum Leader of the Year, Josh continues to inspire future generations of students and educators, proving that with the research- and best practice-driven services and experiences GEAR UP provides, every student can chart their own path to success."

Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Sparks has remained deeply connected to GEAR UP, mentoring students, leading workshops, and participating in national advocacy efforts, including visits to Capitol Hill.

“It has been an honor and a joy to watch Dr. Sparks’ growth as a person and a professional,” says Kim Welch, GEAR UP Kentucky Executive Director. “No matter where he is or what he is doing, he is always eager and willing to reach back and support GEAR UP, which greatly benefits our program and the students we serve.”

"GEAR UP made the idea that 'this' [education and career achievements] could be a reality for me," says Dr. Sparks. "I wouldn’t have known that this was an option, in its entirety, and it really opened my mind on how to make this work."

In his current role at UCLA, Dr. Sparks is committed to ensuring that his classroom is a space where first-generation students feel empowered and supported. "Through all these experiences, I’ve gotten to take the things I know and try to give back, both to GEAR UP students as well as the students at the university level, who are also still trying to find their way," he says.

“Dr. Sparks’ story is one of resilience, humility, and an unwavering commitment to helping others,” says Welch. “His recognition as the 2025 GEAR UP Alum Leader of the Year is a celebration of his contributions to the GEAR UP community and beyond, and a reminder of the power of mentorship and opportunity in shaping the lives of future leaders.”

For more information about GEAR UP Kentucky, visit www.gearupky.org.

Last Updated: 7/28/2025