Nittany Scholars Program offers students a bridge to college success

YORK, Pa. - Walking into your first college class is a nerve-wracking experience. But for a group of students at Penn State York, the Nittany Scholars Summer Bridge Program helped make those uncertain first days a positive experience.

"Starting college was scary at first," Eric Harper, a first-year student from Lancaster studying Information Sciences and Technology, admitted. "I was thinking, 'Wow, this is harder.' I knew in college, you have more time outside of class versus in class, unlike in high school."

The goal of the Nittany Scholars Program is to provide students with resources to help them build the time management, study and social skills needed to succeed at the college level. Incoming first-year students are invited to apply for the program based on several factors that statistically impact their ability to graduate college.

"This is for students who might not have someone who can help them figure out college-level classes," explained Joel Gugino, Nittany Scholars Program coordinator.

For many students, the Nittany Scholars Program starts with the Summer Bridge Program, where participants take four credits (CAS 100B and PSU 8, both required courses for all Penn State students). These four credits are offered at a discounted tuition rate.

In summer 2025, eight students participated in the program, taking classes and eating lunch together three days a week.

"Summer Bridge gave me an 'in' on the college environment," said Darien Reimold, a first-year student from York studying film and video production. "I wasn't thrown into the deep end."

"I feel if I had just come here in the fall, all the time management stuff [I learned over the summer] I'd have to learn now, when I have four classes," Harper explained.

Summer into fall

Students say they're still feeling the benefits of the Summer Bridge well into the fall semester.

"It was really nice to have familiar faces in classes and around campus at the start of the fall semester," said Laura Castillo, a first-year student from Lancaster studying biology. "I always had someone to sit with and people to talk to."

With summer behind them, the Summer Bridge students are now embracing life as Nittany Scholars, meeting throughout each semester with Gugino and co-coordinator Dawn Koons. The pair work closely with Penn State York's Career Services Coordinator LeighAnn Fry to help prepare for a rapidly evolving workforce.

"The program has taught me how to be professional and how to talk to people in my field," Castillo said.

Students in the Nittany Scholars Program also receive funding for books purchased through the Penn State Bookstore each semester, courtesy of a grant from Barnes & Noble.

Resources for all students

While only about a dozen students are Nittany Scholars, the hundreds of students on the Penn State York campus have access to similar resources.

Both Gugino and Coons work in the Nittany Success Center, which provides academic tutoring, career coaching and testing accommodations, among other support, to all Penn State York students.

"At the Nittany Success Center, we offer support services to all Penn State York Students," Koons said. "We are excited and committed to supporting the Nittany Scholars, and all students, as they strive to reach their academic and professional goals."

The impact of these resources is felt across campus.

"I am grateful for the dedication of the Nittany Success Center staff. Joel and Dawn are motivated by one thing, namely, helping students be successful," said Robert Farrell, director of academic affairs. "This is plainly evident from the high-energy atmosphere and personalized service that students enjoy when utilizing the many resources and programming available."