The Non-Profit Spotlight: Summer Bridge

This spotlight is sponsored by Plumas Bank.

For first-time college student Evelyn Felipe, college seemed intimidating. A graduate of North Valleys High School, she would be the first in her family to attend college, so she knew to look for support on campus. Fortunately, she found the TMCC Success First – Summer Bridge program, which provided her the chance to get extra support while also taking free classes.

“I feel blessed to be a part of the Summer Bridge program,” said Felipe. “It was a great opportunity to start my college career, not only with the academic support of my instructors and the tutoring team, but also my success coach who has supported my academic journey thus far.”

Summer Bridge is an annual evidence-based college readiness program to promote enrollment, persistence, and successful completion among low-income, first-generation, first-time, college students. This entry point gives students a jumpstart to TMCC with core college courses the summer before their first academic year. Students learn about STEM and growing career fields, and have access to academic and motivational support, such as tutoring, writing support, advising, counseling, and more.

“It’s important to TMCC that our first-time, first-generation college students get extra support in their first classes,” says TMCC President Karin Hilgersom. “Data has consistently shown that students who have successfully completed the Summer Bridge program have significantly higher persistence and graduation rates than those students who have not participated in the program.”

“It is so exciting that students attend for free, thanks to generous supporters who cover all of the program costs,” says Hilgersom. As an incentive, students who complete the six-week Summer Bridge program with at least a 2.0 GPA earn an $800 scholarship ($400 in the fall, $400 in the spring).

TMCC Vice President of Student Services and Diversity Estela Gutierrez welcomes students, families and supporters to the 2023 Summer Bridge completion event.

 

In fact, Summer Bridge participants are more likely to enroll in higher-level college classes, be enrolled full-time compared to part-time, and remain enrolled in TMCC after their first semester. The program also serves a high minority population, with 62% of the 2023 group identifying as Hispanic.

Students enroll in Math and College Readiness courses, and the Summer Bridge 2024 closing ceremony will take place in early August to celebrate the cohort of 120 students.

“The math class I took during the summer, with a combination of the tutoring and support, has facilitated and catapulted me to my success at TMCC,” says Maria Ramirez, a Fernley High School graduate. “I also met friends who are still on track with me to the start of our nursing program. The Summer Bridge program allowed me to feel more confident at the start of the fall semester.”

“Close to 1,500 students have participated in Summer Bridge since its inception,” continued Hilgersom. “As a result, these students have continued to have higher GPAs and a higher rate of retention to their next semester.”

As for Evelyn Felipe, she’s on track to meet the requirements of the Radiologic Technology Program. Enrolled full-time while working part-time at a restaurant, she’s learned communication skills, professionalism and teamwork.

“TMCC is proud of our Summer Bridge participants, many of whom have completed their education and are now working in the community,” says Hilgersom. “It’s an honor to know this program made a difference in their lives and set them on a path to great careers.”

2023 Summer Bridge students stand to be recognized

 “The program is designed to empower first-generation college students to thrive academically while fostering growth at every step,” said Jocelyn Cabrera, Summer Bridge alumna and program coordinator. “This is a full-circle moment for me… This program supported my academic journey and has set my professional career in ways I could have never imagined.”

The Summer Bridge program receives annual assistance from state-supported program support, general improvement fee funding, TMCC financial aid, UNR INBRE sub-award funding, and the TMCC Foundation. Additionally, TMCC is grateful for the generous support of donors who contribute more than $100,000 annually, including Plumas Bank, Nell J. Redfield Foundation, the Susanne and Gloria Young Foundation, NV Energy Foundation, US Bank Foundation, and the Bretzlaff Foundation. TMCC Summer Bridge also receives support from a University of Nevada, Reno grant: Nevada IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) to increase the number of low-income, first-generation, non-traditional gender, and underrepresented minority undergraduates, interested in and successfully working toward biomedical careers.

2023 Summer Bridge students celebrate at their completion event