Partners
Access to Success
The Access to Success Program (ATS) is a program for selected freshmen who enroll in the College of Education and Human Development; the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; or the College of Liberal Arts. ATS is an academic program that provides important tools that help ensure a strong start to students’ college careers and their long term academic success. Access to Success Program participants benefit from a variety of programs during their freshman year specifically designed to strengthen academic skills and promote academic achievement. For example:
- Learning communities where students get connected with other students who have similar academic interests.
- One-on-one advising where academic advisers are in frequent contact with students to ensure things are going well and provide guidance when needed.
- Course instruction that utilizes state-of-the-art teaching methods, small classes, personal attention, and other features designed to support and encourage success.
ATS Program staff members work closely with the Summer Bridge to Academic Excellence Program to help ease the transition for students to college life and to help students build strong foundations for successful college experiences.
Athletics
The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is a strong partner in supporting the efforts of the Bridge to Academic Excellence program and the students it serves. The opportunity to work collaboratively with the Office for Equity and Diversity and the Provost's Office to support the Bridge program is a key component to providing students with the chance to succeed academically and otherwise.
La Raza
La Raza Student Cultural Center is a registered student group at the University of Minnesota whose stated goals are to achieve a greater historical, political, cultural and social awareness concerning the Chicano and Latino communities through cultural and educational programs and events. La Raza works with Bridge to Academic Excellence to provide events, meeting space, and student advising during the summer and during the academic year.
Libraries
The University of Minnesota Libraries partner with Bridge program faculty to offer workshops that coincide with curriculum and students’ needs as they learn about effective research at the University. Librarians plan and deliver lessons to Bridge students each week. The Libraries also provide classroom space and technology for effective delivery of material.
MCAE
The Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence partners with the Bridge program to provide staff time and other resources that serve students in common. MCAE student services include advising, internships, community service, scholarships, tutorial services and social activities. MCAE also provides expert consulting in the areas of student development, cultural considerations, and program management.
Sigma Lambda Beta
Since 1986, Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. has succeeded with the belief that opportunity for a college education allows people the ability to grow – intellectually and culturally. Many of our Alumni Association Brothers were graduates of the 1997 Summer Institute class, a program similar to Summer Bridge. Therefore, the Minnesota Alumni Association of Sigma Lambda Beta offer a scholarship to all students of the Summer Bridge program at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Sigma Lambda Beta will award a $500.00 scholarship to the student who exudes the following principles:
- Scholarship
- Leadership
- Community Service
- Cultural Awareness
TRiO
The University of Minnesota TRiO programs (Upward Bound, Student Support Services, and McNair Scholars) are an invaluable resource to the Bridge program. TRiO directors and staff provide expert consulting on program management and appropriate services for students. TRiO staff also collaborate with the Bridge program to provide students with a seamless transition to advising and integration into their first year of school. Several hours of staff time is devoted to students-in-common to ensure this smooth transition and proper access to services. Current TRiO students also serve on panel discussions to educate incoming students on the benefits of the TRiO program.
Provost
The Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost provides the funding for the Bridge to Academic Excellence program. In addition to funding the Provost’s office provides leadership, guidance, and direction for the Bridge program and how it can best serve its students and the University in general.