What skills set a student apart? What support systems will help students succeed in their four-year degrees? How do we ensure every student gets the personalized support they need to succeed at our university? These are core questions that the Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning try to answer.
When coming up with programs and resources for students to find success at the University of California, Irvine, there are some important considerations on how to deliver support for low income, first generation, and former foster care students. These students often times have less of a safety net. For them, a minor slip up can spell disaster.
The Student Success Initiative was designed to answer these questions. SSI provides services “assisting with the transitions of low-income students, first-generation students, undocumented students, former foster youth, transfer students, adult-learners, students with dependents, and students with disabilities.”
That’s why they designed the Summer Bridge Scholars Program, here at UCI. This year the SBS program received 460 applications and were able to accept a record number of 129 students into the program. While in the past the program has usually accepted around 80 applicants, with the generous support of the state of California, SSI was able to enroll more students than ever before.
Leading the program to new heights, the chosen Summer Bridge Scholars will be attending classes on campus in August to get a head start on their UCI careers.
The Summer Bridge Program is designed to help new students make the best possible academic and social transition to UCI. Scholars earn UCI credit and get a head start working towards their degree while meeting other new students, staff, and faculty.
SSI is a learning community that empowers students to be productive and engaged not only in their academic careers but also in their personal endeavors. The program strives to support successful college transitions over the summer by giving them a head start to settle into campus life. That way they’re comfortable by the time Fall quarter rolls around.
Student Success Initiatives strive to increase student access to and awareness of campus resources. In addition to summer programs for incoming freshmen, SSI also offers a number of support services such as:
- One-on-one advising and coaching appointments with professional and student staff
- Peer mentoring from upper-division students who are themselves successful in college
- A scholarship for tutoring services at the Learning and Academic Resources Center (LARC)
- And a welcoming study space that fosters networking
A rousing Anteater welcome for all 129 Summer Bridge Scholars. We wish them every success at UCI and wherever life takes them afterwards. ZOT ZOT ZOT!
For further information regarding the Student Success Initiative, click on this link. For the inside scoop on OVPTL check out our YouTube channel here.