Alfred University has largest group of students in Summer Bridge, which eases transition to college

First-year Alfred University students have a lot to unpack when they arrive on campus for the first time. There's getting adjusted to a vastly new schedule while living away from home for the first time; meeting faculty and making new friends; learning how to maintain personal finances.

It can all be quite challenging. Alfred University, for the last four years, has offered a program-AU Advantage Summer Bridge-which is aimed at easing the transition from high school to college. Students spend four weeks on campus just prior to the start of the fall semester, taking college-level classes and participating in a variety of activities aimed at helping students get to know each other.

"The program is designed to help students acclimate to college life and being independent," said Sarah Pratt, coordinator of the Summer Bridge program, which is housed in Alfred University's Center for Academic Success. "It gets them used to taking college classes, helps them learn how to live independently as adults, and build relationships with faculty and students."

Pratt said students have a consistent schedule in those four weeks in which they take two classes-a one-credit course, "Dynamics of Student Success," that teaches them "academic skills" such as test- and note-taking, organization, and time management; and a two-credit introductory class- such as writing, portfolio development, and pre-calculus-designed to prepare them for their chosen major.

The program also offers the "Fiat Success Seminar," a series of informational meetings aimed at familiarizing students with offices and departments across campus and the services available to help them succeed. The seminars also incorporate other college-relevant topics, Pratt noted-such as one on financial literacy given by Jason Morrison, professor of finance-that assist students. Academic exploration sessions were also integrated into the seminar this year to encourage cross-college intersections. They included a session on biology with Geoff Lippa, professor of biology, where they explored the lab and used the virtual cadaver. They also did a session on movement and dance with Colleen Wahl, professor of dance.

Summer Bridge also has time for social and recreational activities, such as day trips to Alfred University's Foster Lake, where students could take a canoe or kayak out onto the water, and Darien Lake Six Flags amusement park.

This year, 34 first-year students participated in Summer Bridge, the largest cohort in the program's four years. Debora Munuo, a biomaterials engineering major from Tanzania, and Samantha Holley-Dray, an undeclared liberal arts and science major from Canisteo, NY, both enrolled in the program and spoke of its benefits.

"My experience with the AU Summer Bridge Program was nothing but wonderful. I felt that my experience in the program taught me so much and prepared me for the transition between high school and college," Holley-Dray commented. "Some of the things I learned from the program that helped me personally were the importance and benefits of time management, balancing my workload, and becoming more comfortable and confident in social settings."

"I really liked Dynamics for Student Success class," Munuo added. "We learned about time management, growth mindset, and how not to procrastinate. I took a pre-calc class and loved my professor, Joseph Petrillo. He is so kind and friendly. The faculty here are all so friendly and ready to help.

Holley-Dray agreed that getting to know faculty members helped her in her transition to college. "My professors worked to help me see my true ability and helped me become more confident with my own work," she said.

Holley-Dray is familiar with Alfred: her mother is an alumna, and she has family who work on campus. "I have lived local my whole life and Alfred was a place I spent a lot of time visiting. I chose Alfred University for many different reasons, such as hands-on learning opportunities, small class sizes, caring professors, and the sense of community Alfred provides. I have always felt a sense of home at Alfred University," she said.

Munuo credits a friend with steering her to Alfred. The friend, a sophomore from Tanzania and fellow biomaterials engineering major, touted the biomaterials program and related that students get well-paying jobs after graduation. "The professors are warm and friendly and want to help you. That's why I decided to apply to Alfred."

Pratt, who has been coordinator for Summer Bridge for each of its four years, said she receives feedback from students and uses it to tweak and improve the program. This year, 21 of the 34 students enrolled in the program completed a survey on Summer Bridge.

"Overall, students share that they've had really positive experiences through the program. They really love getting to know campus and it helps them gain more control and agency over their transition and their education," Pratt commented. "But the number one positive across the group is that they've made new friends and found community here. Feeling a sense of belonging and connection is a huge indicator of student success and persistence through college."

One goal of the Summer Bridge program is improving the rates of student retention. Pratt said of the 34 students who took part in the program this summer, 31 are currently enrolled. That's twice as many as last year, when 15 students who went through the program enrolled for fall 2024 classes. Of those 15, 10 returned to Alfred for their sophomore years.

Pratt noted that the performance of students in the program is tracked to ensure they aren't experiencing any pitfalls that can hinder their progress.

"The program is designed to capture students who need to overcome obstacles that may trip them up," she said, referring to late or unfinished work, being late to or missing classes. "There is a mentorship component (for first-year students) in their first and second semester. We have regular check-ins with students to discuss their progress, concerns, any help they may need."

Holley-Dray and Munuo agree that the Summer Bridge program has been a benefit to them.

"When I began my first semester I felt prepared and as if I was ahead by already knowing a lot about the experience and expectations at college," Holley-Dray said. "I am beyond grateful to have been given this opportunity and would strongly recommend it to anyone."

Munuo added, "If I hadn't taken Summer Bridge, I wouldn't be nearly as prepared as I am."

"At the end of the day, AU Advantage is really about helping students see their own potential," Pratt said. "If they're learning, growing, and finding confidence in themselves, then I know I've done my job."