bridging’the’gap: studentsuccess inasummer’ bridge’program’ · jumpstart their first year...
TRANSCRIPT
Bridging the Gap: Student Success in a Summer
Bridge Program
Charles Lu, Ph.D. Anthony Heaven, M.Ed. Carmen Mercedez, M.A. Ashley Stone, M.S.Ed.
Agenda Ø Background Ø Program Structure Ø Outcomes Ø Next Steps
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Why Summer Bridge? Ø Initiative from the Provost Office started to provide
incoming freshmen with tools and resources to jumpstart their first year on campus.
Ø Offered during the second summer session at UT Austin, which runs from July to August
Ø Participants receive a fully funded academic experience that’s grounded in community and provides a head start on life as a Longhorn
Ø Launches students into freshman year by becoming familiar with college life, campus resources and more.
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Benefits of Summer Bridge Ø Participating students receive the Summer Bridge
Scholarship (worth up to $5,000) Ø *Most students take one math course and one
composition course (earn up to 6 credits) Ø Receive an additional $1,000 scholarship at the end of
the summer upon successful completion of courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Ø Live on campus with other Summer Bridge students, building a vibrant learning community.
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Background of Summer Bridge
2013-‐Summer I
-‐Pilot year -‐100 students –half STEM/half HumaniOes -‐One central contact person -‐Graduate assistants were not introduced unOl orientaOon – no cohort model -‐Pre-‐Calculus and English/WriOng courses offered -‐Free tutoring, workshops, and social engagement opportuniOes provided -‐Student mentors were available at 1:8 raOo -‐Average Fall GPA was 2.6
2014-‐Summer II
-‐250 students – STEM heavy -‐Cohort leaders had their own “case” load and reached out prior to student arrival -‐Faculty luncheon in the spring -‐MulOple and Oered support systems -‐Courses tailored to majors -‐Opening session set expectaOons -‐Social media used – Twi^er, Instagram, Facebook -‐Weekly newsle^er -‐Student mentors at 1:15 raOo -‐Average Fall GPA was 3.0
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Partnerships Ø Provost Office – Enrollment and Graduation Management Ø B6 Student Success Programs Ø New Student Services Ø Financial Aid Ø Admissions Ø Registrar Ø Academic Departments Ø Texas Success Initiative Ø Division of Housing and Food Services Ø Sanger Learning Center
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Student Recruitment Ø 3 rounds of recruitment started in
March Ø Priorities
u TSI Barred Students u Under 40% and Under 1250 u Under 40% and Over 1250 u Over 40% and Under 1250
Ø No exceptions were made for courses Ø Orientation was mandatory Ø Students must be in-state*
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Courses Ø College of Natural Sciences
Rhetoric 306 or 309 Statistics
Ø Engineering Calculus + Supplemental Instruction
Ø Liberal Arts Rhetoric 306 or 309 Physical Science 303
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Cohort Structure Ø 5 cohorts (50 students each)
3 STEM* 1 Engineering 1 Humanities
Ø Each cohort had 3 mentors
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Cohort ResponsibiliAes Ø Cohort leader registered students for
classes, ran Monday area meetings, and Friday curriculum meetings. Served as liaison between faculty and SB leadership.
Ø Each cohort had 3 mentors
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Summer Bridge Workshops Ø Summer Bridge curriculum meetings
focused on academic and personal development
Ø Summer Bridge area meetings were created based on individual cohort needs
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Mentor Projects Ø Mentors facilitated their own
curriculum meetings that complemented the GA Workshops
Ø They were the first line of contact with their 15 assigned students.
Ø Ran two socials with their mentor groups
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Social Engagements Ø Opening Banquet Ø Mentor Group Socials Ø Fall Learning Community Socials Ø Closing Awards Ceremony Ø Summer Bridge Pool Pizza Party
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Social Engagement Ø Canoeing at Zilker Park
Ø Austin City Segway Tour Ø Ice-cream Social Ø Bowling
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Outcomes
Ø 247 of 250 students persisted to the Fall semester u 1 dropped due to GPA u 2 dropped due to student emergency
Ø Average GPA for Summer was 3.5 compared to 3.7 the previous year
Ø 93% of students received the merit award Ø https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BBQ0_htKgY Ø http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?
u=1cbe3182df554fb80cdbff6ad&id=9cf797c219
Background Structure Outcomes Next Steps
Next Steps 2015-‐Summer III
-‐Protocol for students dropping out -‐Ceremonial send-‐off to Fall success programs (B6) -‐Invite B6 to Summer Bridge orientaOon -‐Improving mentor facilitaOon skills -‐ConOnue differenOated meeOngs -‐SB faculty will teach second of two-‐course sequences in the Fall
