In contrast with traditional developmental education course sequences used at various colleges that may several semesters, the summer bridge program was designed to help underprepared students build core competencies over the course of several weeks before entering college. The bridge intervention is normally during the summer months between high school and college and lasts anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks. Since their introduction, summer bridge programs have modified the composition of their curriculum to meet the identified deficits in student learning in order to build a model for success.
During and after COVID, colleges and universities are discovering that these bridge programs are assisting students who might need more hands-on transition learning than your traditional beginning-of-the-year freshman orientation. Both are crucial tools to assist both traditional and post-traditional student success, and now more than ever we are seeing the need for earlier and more intensive intervention. Some bridge programs follow the conventional model involving an in-depth orientation to college life, training in skills necessary for college success, and accelerated credit-bearing academic work. Other bridge programs may be longer and are intended for students who may be new to college life in general, or nontraditional learners who need more assistance.
Both groups can benefit from a social-emotional framework to build student engagement and reduce transitional student issues of new enrollees or those returning to higher education. This presentation will introduce college professionals to multiple summer bridge models and discuss ways to enhance current or create new programs.
The key takeaway in regard to the need for this presentation, as well as Summer Bridge in general, is the need to build a bridge and tear down a wall. Belonging is a key element that a student uses in choosing what college to attend. Implementing and administering summer bridge programs to serve traditional and non-college students can ease the transition to higher education and support college success by providing students with the academic skills and social resources needed to succeed in a college environment.
The key takeaway in regard to the need for this presentation, as well as Summer Bridge in general, is the need to build a bridge and tear down a wall. Belonging is a key element that a student uses in choosing what college to attend. Implementing and administering summer bridge programs to serve traditional and non-college students can ease the transition to higher education and support college success by providing students with the academic skills and social resources needed to succeed in a college environment.
Areas Covered:-
Background:-
Summer Bridge programs have become a “best practice” for colleges and universities to reach students who need a better sense of adjustment and transition from K-12 and higher education.
Why Should You Attend:-
For many years, Summer Bridge programs have been one method used by colleges and universities to address potential weaknesses that may exist in incoming students. Whether it be addressing the developmental needs of students who lack specific skills in Math, English, Reading, etc., or preparing first-generation college students with the guidance and support to navigate all the procedural aspects of college.
One of the overarching goals of these Bridge Programs is to ease a student’s transition to college while helping them build a foundation for long-term success. Whether you are looking to develop a new Summer Bridge program for your campus or strengthen an existing one, this session will provide you with practical tools for developing and delivering a Summer Bridge program to suit the needs of your students and your school.
There are many options for what campus or program might choose to include in its Summer Bridge program. When starting a new program or looking to enhance an existing one, there are critical considerations that must be made. From student target groups and the recruitment process to timing, duration, and program content, many factors impact what Summer Bridge looks like and aims to accomplish.
This webinar will provide participants with an opportunity to take a broad look at the intended outcomes of their Summer Bridge program while identifying specific program content that can be integrated into their existing efforts, as well as tools and measures that can be used to assess student learning and development.
This presentation is perfect for a very diverse group of campus stakeholders who may work at either 2- or 4-year campuses: Directors of Admissions, Coordinators of Recruiting, Deans of Students Services, Directors of Advising and Mentoring Relations, Firth Year Experience Coordinators, College Recruiters who may be based at high schools, as well as parents who wish their children to be as prepared for college life as possible.
Technology and a changing student need and identity have necessitated the changes colleges are making, and still, need to make. This presentation will examine how these cohorts can successfully assist today’s students.
Who Should Attend:-
