Synonym for “hold on to”

Question

I want to say “This institution encourages its students to hold onto their passions”

I felt like “hold onto” sounds odd. I mean the institution lets students keep their passions and doesn’t force them to give them up. Any advice,

Answer 1

If you wish to use hold on to as to maintain or sustain the quality of the student's passion, you might want to consider uphold

This institution encourages its students to uphold their passions

Wiktionary describes this word as:

To keep erect; to support; to sustain; to keep from falling

List of other alternatives:

• maintain
• sustain (if the 'institution' wants to assist the increase of the student's passion)
• preserve
• affirm (if the 'institution' wishes to support the student emotionally)

Answer 2

Alternatively embrace; hold on to is good though too.

She embraces diversity, and believes that all students should have an opportunity to contribute to music lessons.

According to Macmillan Dictionary, the most common collocations with ebrace are:

challenge, change, concept, diversity, ethos, idea, innovation, notion, opportunity, principle, technology

You should hold on to her, she's too good to lose to a competitor.
_{Cambridge Dictionary}

Answer 3

"Pursue" would be a good fit here. It evokes both a sense of not giving up, and advancing one's interest in an area.

"The institution encourages its students to pursue their passions."