LSAMP IINSPIRE > Summer Bridging Programs

Summer Bridging Programs

Many institutions across the nation have developed bridge programs in order to address the challenges of underrepresented and underprepared students as they acclimate to a new campus and develop and acquire skills and knowledge for STEM and engineering success. These programs often include academic and career development as well as personal and social components. The examples below illustrate how various programs serve particular needs at their host institutions.

Example Program Descriptions

Example Program Summaries

Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Community College Program (MCCP)

Program Components:

  • Academic Excellence Workshops
  • Orientation Course
  • Academic advising/counseling
  • Student study center
  • Assistance in the transfer process
  • Career advising
  • Links with student and professional organizations
  • Professional development
  • Industry advisory board

San Diego City College: 2011 Academy for STEM Success

Student objectives for this program:

  • Learn about the City College STEM culture of success and language of success
  • Be trained on the best learning strategies and develop necessary study skills
  • Take the StrengthsQuest assessment to learn their five most dominant strengths
  • Meet professors from STEM departments
  • Receive guidance from City College counselors about educational planning
  • Be mentored by successful City College students in STEM majors
  • Receive career advice from local STEM professionals
  • Meet City College staff and learn about available student services
  • Receive sample school supplies for organizing class notes and materials
  • Make new friends and build community with 99 other STEM majors
  • Have fun!

Alabama LSAMP Summer Bridge Program

Program Components:

  • Academic enrichment
  • Weekly seminars
  • Career and academic counseling
  • Mentoring/orientation

University of Maryland LSAMP Summer Bridge Program for Scientists and Engineers

Program Components:

  • Workshops for beginning calcuulus, chemistry, programming languages, and software programs such as MatLab, etc.
  • One-on-one advising and seminar sessions that deal with topics such as career development, time management, and much more
  • Development in a social and professional manner
  • Support through 1 credit course
  • Continued academic advising and opportunities for individual on-campus research with academic support during 2nd year
  • Support in locating summer internships, placement in summer research programs, assistance with scholarshop, study abroad and graduate school applications, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities

Oregon State University LSAMP Summer Bridge Programs

Program Components:

  • Live in a residence hall during the program
  • Get a jump start on fall classes
  • Meet other new freshmen enrolling in STEM majors
  • Take a field trip to either Intel Laboratories or Hatfield Marine Science Center
  • Go rafting on the McKenzie River
  • Get connected to OSU Faculty and Staff
  • Learn about research opportunities
  • Participate in OSU's Challenge Ropes Course

SUNY LSAMP Summer Program

Program Components:

  • 8-week National Science Foundation (NSF) summer internship for undergraduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
  • Weekly "soft skills" workshops
  • LSAMP Research Symposium poster presentation
  • Participation and poster presentation at the National McNair Research Conference
  • Research Methods Seminar

Cornell University LSAMP Undergraduate Summer Research Program

Program Components:

  • Approximately 10 weeks of research (June-August)
  • A research stipend
  • A round-trip travel stipend for students living outside of Ithaca, NY
  • A double room in a residence hall
  • A campus bus pass or campus parking pass
  • Access to state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, computer/study lounges, etc.
  • Develop a meaningful research agenda and conduct research with a faculty research mentor
  • Present a scientific research talk
  • Design a research poster and discuss their proposal

Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentorship Program (NHSEMP) Summer Bridge Program

Program Components:

  • High technology research opportunity in world-class facilities
  • Greater preparation for college-level math courses
  • Financial assistance
  • Independent living and life skills
  • A six-hour research internship at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  • A two-hour math class and study session


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