Just over 100 of Sonoma State’s incoming first-year students are spending two weeks on campus for the SSU Summer Bridge program, an orientation for EOP, DREAM Center, Seawolf Scholars, and Native American Identified students that runs June 16-29.
For these first-to-college (in their families) students, the program bridges the transition from high school to college by offering an early introduction to campus resources, two college courses, and help registering for fall classes. The program is a hybrid, with a week of online learning and two weeks in residence at SSU.
“Our goal for their time on campus is to help students build another key bridge — a sense of belonging to Sonoma State and each other,” said Khou Yang-Vigil, Director of Equity & Access Programs.
“Summer Bridge is close to my heart,” said Seawolf Scholar Advisor Stacie Rodriguez-Fitch, who entered the program as an incoming student in 2013. “I was so nervous as a new student. My mom and aunt dropped me off. They were able to see the place and get to know the staff before they left, which helped them and me,” she said.
“Now I have the privilege of being part of all the work and love that goes into Summer Bridge to help students through that same transition,” she said.
Students are grouped into cohorts of about 25, with two Summer Bridge Leaders for each group. They benefit from a network of dedicated staff from SSU’s Center for Academic Success & Student Enrichment (CAASE), faculty members, and Summer Bridge Advisors, all of whom are committed to teaching, advising, and mentoring them.
"For many of the students here, it’s their first opportunity to be part of a larger community that believes in and supports them,” Rodriguez-Fitch said.
After successfully completing Summer Bridge, students will receive three units of college credit, an Academic Resource Grant, a laptop, and a parking permit, as well as a housing award for those who will live on campus.
"When I started, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to graduate, let alone yet alone get my master’s degree. Being able to do that and return in this role is due to the incredible community of support I’ve had, starting at Summer Bridge," Rodriguez-Fitch said.