Summer Bridge Scholars and their families were welcomed to campus during an opening event in August
This August, Portland State University launched the Summer Bridge Scholars Program designed to help prepare incoming PSU students for college. Around 260 Summer Scholars are participating in the free four-week program that gives first year students a jumpstart on their transition to college life.
The program was designed for students entering PSU with a GPA below 3.0 but was expanded to include all interested first year students. While some scholars are engaging in the program remotely, most are taking in-person courses and live in PSU dorms.
“We focus on things such as resiliency, growth mindset, exposing them to PSU—the buildings, the campus student life—and study skills,” says Shoshana Zeisman-Pereyo, director of PSU’s Learning Center and coordinator of the program. “We get them thinking about what it’s really like being in college so hopefully when fall term comes they feel comfortable and relaxed and ready to learn.”
Every scholar takes a three credit academic skills college success course and either a math course or a writing and rhetoric course. Scholars also work with academic advisors on identifying and pursuing academic goals and learn about campus resources like the library and cultural resource centers.
“I wanted to be part of the Summer Bridge Scholars Program mainly because I wanted to have a good lead up into college,” says scholar Nelly Bescond. “I thought this program would help me get ready and identify some new or better study strategies than I've had previously.”
Bescond says the academic skills course has been really useful for helping her identify how she learns best.
“It's been really fun. The activities we do are always engaging and have some sort of insight about how it is that you study the best. I actually found out that I need to have a little bit of physical activity in between my studying or lectures; I need to get up and move,” she says. “I didn't know that before so that was really good to know.”
The ability to meet people before fall term began was another reason Bescond wanted to participate in the Summer Bridge Scholars Program.
“I wanted to build community since I'm going to be commuting,” says Bescond. “I think I've met everyone, and they're all great people, but I've even found two people that I can really rely on if I am late and I can exchange notes with them or meet up for coffee later.”
On Fridays, evenings and weekends, scholars participate in a range of social events like scavenger hunts, art projects, and field games that introduce them to other scholars and places on campus.
“I can see it with my eyes...the connections when you see scholars talking together in class, but what's even more exciting for me is when you see it happening outside of class—when you see them walking around the Park blocks or hear from the mentors that they're studying together in the dorms and not in their rooms,” says Zeisman-Pereyo, noting that the Summer Bridge Scholars Program has also given scholars a chance to learn the university’s COVID protocols, which is one less thing for them to worry about in the fall.
The Summer Bridge Scholars Program was originally created as a response to the pandemic, but now there are plans to hold the program again next summer.
“I think what COVID really did was just magnify the inequities that already existed within the educational system, particularly in K through 12,” says Zeisman-Pereyo. “To be able to offer it again next year is going to be great. We're really excited to debrief at the end of the four weeks and think about how we want to change and continue the program.”
According to Zeisman-Pereyo, there will be many ways to assess the success of the program, including fall term grades and whether scholars take advantage of resources like tutoring, advising and multicultural resource centers.
“For me, a lot of it is having that sense of belonging with PSU, the connection to your peers, and really taking the stigma out of asking for help,” she says.
Bescond says that sense of belonging is already apparent to her. “PSU has been really welcoming—for everyone and not just me—I really like the inclusivity,” she says.