REDDING, Calif.—Simpson University freshman Angelina Yang wants to go big.

This 18-year-old dreamer is the first person in her family to go to a university. She’s the oldest of six children born to a Hmong father and American mother. Born in Fresno, she has lived in Crescent City and graduated from high school in Anderson.

And she wants to become a clinical or criminal psychologist.

Two years ago, Angelina heard about a new program being offered at Anderson Union High School called Upward Bound. This federally funded educational program is designed to give first-generation and/or economically disadvantaged students better opportunities to attend college.

“I heard details and believed it was a really great opportunity for me, so I signed up,” she said. “The advisors were super helpful. I wanted help with finding the right college and getting support.”

In 2017, Simpson University was awarded a $5.7 million, five-year grant to…