From Rising Phoenix to Golden Eagle: How Steven Concepcion Geared-Up for Success

Like a lot of kids growing up Milwaukee, Steven Concepcion dreamed of one day running with the herd and being a Milwaukee Buck. “For a long time, I wanted to be in the NBA—until I stopped growing,” he recalls. Now, entering his final year at Marquette University with a double-major in accounting and finance, his talents may still be called upon at the NBA level.

“Maybe I’ll manage the finances for some athletes.”

That’s a very achievable dream because Concepcion has always loved numbers. But he thinks about numbers differently than most other people. “I love the story behind the numbers,” Concepcion admits. “There’s something fascinating about how numbers connect everything.” This realization was made at a young age. Even his dream of NBA stardom was connected to numbers—in the form of statistics. His passion for stats, once focused on free throw percentages and basketball metrics, has evolved into a deep appreciation for financial data and accounting.

“The English teachers would say every word has meaning, and I’d say every number does too.”

For Concepcion, achieving personal success has always been about finding the right equation—one that balances dreams with opportunity. While attending the Milwaukee Public Schools’ Bradley Technology and Trade high school, he enrolled in the inaugural GEAR UP Rising Phoenix program in Fall 2021 to turbocharge his college journey. While Bradley Tech provided a strong academic foundation, Concepcion knew the GEAR UP Rising Phoenix program would give him an extra edge when it came to college.

Rising Phoenix on a Fast Track

Not surprisingly, numbers influenced his interest in the GEAR UP Rising Phoenix program. “I told my best friend (who is now attending UW-Green Bay), ‘We can get a couple years ahead of the game and save a lot of money,’” Concepcion remembers. Together, they juggled high school responsibilities with online college courses, working at a favorite study spot to stay on track. As a result of the program, both earned an Associate’s of Arts and Science (AAS) Degree while still in high school. Even though all the classes were online, there were still challenges. “We were doing college classes at 17, working with people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s—it was a culture shock,” Concepcion admits.

The academic transition wasn’t easy. “I was scared to email professors at first,” Steven admits, “but I realized the professors, tutors and student coaches were there to help—you just have to ask.” This lesson in self-advocacy became one of the most valuable takeaways from his time in the program.

Becoming ‘Grandfather Phoenix’

Now graduated from the program for almost two years, Concepcion still embraces his Phoenix identity and speaks online about his experiences to the current students during students’ First Year Seminar class or program information session, referring to himself as “Grandfather Phoenix.”

“When I graduated, I became the grandfather. The class behind me were father and mother Phoenix, and now the current students are baby Phoenix,” he explains. And it’s also part of a playful attitude that has helped him build resilience and stay motivated.

For example, he encourages students to stay organized and proactive but also to prioritize their own well-being. “Close the laptop when your study time ends and go do something fun,” he advises them. “You’re a human before you’re a student. If you’re not happy, it will affect everything—your grades, your friendships, your whole life.”

The Power of Planning and Advocacy

Concepcion also attributes much of his capacity to ‘go have fun’ to meticulous planning. “I take every syllabus at the start of the semester, write down all the due dates in my planner and block out personal time too.” It’s a practice that has helped him balance college coursework with other responsibilities, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.

His remarkable ability to advocate for himself paid off most spectacularly when he transferred to Marquette with a UW-Green Bay associate’s degree in hand. Initially, the university planned to accept credits individually, but Concepcion advocated for, and received recognition of, his AAS Degree as a block transfer.

“They changed the rules for me,” Concepcion recalls proudly. Now he was saving time and money at an even higher level. “I jumped directly into upper-level business courses without repeating general education classes.”

Internships & Further Ambitions

Concepcion’s proactive approach opened doors to valuable accounting internships (five at last count) while still in college. “Employers are always surprised when they hear I earned an associate’s degree in high school. It really makes you stand out.”

His immediate future goal is to graduate from Marquette a year early and sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exams. Long-term, Concepcion plans to start his own accounting firm but is open to other opportunities. “If I have to work a nine-to-five, I’d want to be the CFO.”

When speaking to current high school GEAR UP students, Concepcion firmly believes Rising Phoenix participants have a unique advantage but also stresses the importance of early communication with prospective colleges. “Send your transcript and ask how your credits fit into their program,” he says. “The earlier you start, the smoother the transition will be.”

And despite the challenges, he’s convinced the program is worth the extra effort. “You’ll show up on campus miles ahead of everyone else. It’s a huge advantage to start college knowing you’ve already done two years of the work.”
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Postscript: Grandfather Phoenix’s Advice to His Fellow Fledglings or— the Concepcion Equation for Success

Planner, Planner, Planner!

• Get a planner, and write down every single due date from your syllabi at the start of the semester. Trust me—if you don’t, something will slip through the cracks.

Bloom Where You’re Plannered

• Stick to your study schedule, but don’t forget personal time. When study time ends, close the laptop and go do something you enjoy.

Speak Up, Don’t Drown

• If you’re struggling, reach out to your professors or tutors. Don’t let the water overflow and drown you.

Advocate Like Your Future Depends on It

• Start conversations with colleges early. Ask, ‘How will my credits fit into your program?’ Schools are more willing to help if you know your goals.

Make Every Credit Count

• Know how each course aligns with your future plans. That way you avoid taking classes twice if your credits will transfer toward your degree.

You’re a Human First

• Don’t negotiate your personal time. If you aren’t happy, it will affect every part of your life—grades, friendships, everything.

Be the Happy Student, Not the Stressed-Out One

• • You have a choice—be the stressed-out student or the organized, happy one. I know which one I’d pick.

Two Years Ahead, Two Years Saved

• • Rising Phoenix puts you two years ahead. Use that time wisely—you’ll arrive on campus ready to excel.

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The GEAR UP Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program is a collaboration between GEAR UP Target School Districts, Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Program (WEOP) and UW-Green Bay to provide high school students an opportunity to get a head start on college. Eligible students will be admitted to the Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program to be enrolled during their junior and senior years.