UC Merced and Campos Foundation Host ENgage Summer Bridge Academy for Students in STEM

UC Merced, in conjunction with longtime campus partner the Campos Foundation, launched the pilot Campos ENgage Summer Bridge Academy, a weeklong summer program aimed at supporting underrepresented minority and female students interested in STEM.

Held from Aug. 4-9, the program welcomed 23 rising high-school seniors from Central Valley and Southern California schools, including Le Grand High School, Pacheco High School, Golden Valley High School and Samueli Academy. The initiative is designed to offer students exposure to engineering through hands-on experiences, mentoring, and academic workshops.

In addition to STEM exploration, participants were introduced to the UC Merced campus and learned about the university's welcoming and accessible environment. "This school seems like a place that cares about their students and their futures," noted one student-participant.

The Campos Foundation's mission is to elevate underrepresented students in STEM fields by creating pathways and access to early exposure and experiences. Through the Summer Bridge Academy, students are given the opportunity to visualize themselves as future engineers - a particularly critical focus in communities where many youth are first-generation college students.

"UC Merced did not disappoint with our first Summer Engage cohort," said Campos Foundation President Deanna Miller Campos. "The coordinators and student mentors really embraced our mantra - "powered by heart" - and created an environment where students could see their potential, get excited about learning and feel the power of community. We're so proud of every student for taking this opportunity seriously and leaving with a deep belief that they belong at UC Merced, in Campos and in whatever field they choose to pursue."

"We're grateful for our partnership with UC Merced and can't wait to keep creating opportunities that foster access, inclusion and lifelong learning," she added.