For a number of years, I’ve been hearing about a program that has been very successful in assisting new freshmen get a jump-start in their academic careers. Through the years this not-so-well-known program has experienced continued success in guiding students with their transition and integration into The Ohio State University. Called the Bridge Program, this program serves to prepare students to acclimate to the college environment three weeks prior to the beginning of the academic year by providing a number of courses, programs and activities created specifically for this purpose. But what is more astounding is that it seems that this program must be a well kept secret since very few of our incoming Hispanic freshmen even know of its existence, let alone actually take advantage of this exceptional opportunity. In order to get a better understanding of how this program works, I interviewed two individuals who have direct personal experience with the Bridge Program: Rodrigo Trejo, student, and Chila Thomas, the Bridge Program Coordinator.
Rodrigo Trejo
Edinburg, Texas – Freshman
What did you know about Ohio State and how did you end up here?
“Until Ricardo, who worked with the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), came to my school in Gibsonburg and gave a presentation, I really did not know very much about OSU. Then when I was a senior, Dr. José Villa, the CAMP Director, came and spoke to my class and encouraged me to apply.”
How did you find about the Bridge Program and how has it helped you?
“I received a letter and an email letting me know about the program and inviting me to sign up. Afterwards, I spoke to Dr. Villa and Sam Saldivar, the Office of Minority Affairs recruiter, and they both highly recommended the program and encouraged me to take advantage of it. My only concern was that when I started, I saw I was the only Hispanic in the program.”
Would you recommend the Bridge Program to others and why?
“Yes, the Bridge Program really helped me adjust to OSU, and especially helped me with my homesickness. It helped me to interact with students of many different backgrounds, and greatly helped me to be ahead of the other new freshmen because I was on campus three weeks before the regular fall quarter started. I really got a lot of good information about the OSU campus, academic planning, the academic rules and where to get help when I needed it. It especially helped me with math and English.
What advice do you have for future Hispanic freshmen about the Bridge Program?
“If they are invited to it, they should certainly take advantage of it. They should not be afraid about coming to campus by themselves or about leaving their families. The program offered a great deal of support and information about academic rules, careers, preparing for graduation, preparing for graduate school, and even how to study abroad. I learned a great deal and it helped me.”
Chila Thomas
Bridge Program Coordinator
Can you tell me a little about the mission of the program?
“The mission of the Bridge Program is primarily to help students facilitate an almost seamless transition from high school to college so they can be successful in their new college careers. During the three-week summer program component of the Bridge Program, students are exposed to a number of activities, workshops, and freshmen courses in math, English, economics, and psychology; which provide the participants with a realistic introduction to the demands of college life and its academic work.”
In your experience, what types of students have benefited from the Bridge Program?
“All students who participate and fully commit to the Bridge Program benefit greatly. Those who choose to participate in the program do so for a variety of reasons: some students are attracted to the opportunities offered to them because this is their first time away from home alone, and they like the camaraderie of the program; others because the program will provide them with a unique head start on how to navigate the rigorous new college life. Regardless of their reason, the Bridge Program is a great place for freshmen to gain an understanding of their academic strengths and their personal limitations.”
From your perspective, what are some of the advantages the program provides students?
“Participants tend to have very successful first years at Ohio State. This positive experience greatly increases the student’s probability of being retained for subsequent undergraduate years. Additionally, the student learns how to navigate the campus prior to the first day of school and before the entire student body arrives. Peer Leaders (previous year participants) live amongst the new Bridge cohort and serve as mentors and information liaisons to the new students. Since there are only 60 Bridge participants each year, this small cohort allows the students more time to work closely with university administrative staff, professors, lecturers, and tutors. It also allows students to build a sense of camaraderie amongst one another and a strong sense of belonging on the Ohio State campus.”
What are some of the highlights that make the program unique?
“The summer pre-collegiate Bridge Program is an academic based program, where students are in class from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. during the week. Given that the courses taught in the program are actual autumn quarter freshmen courses, the Bridge participant has the great advantage of being provided an additional three weeks to work with their course instructors. Also, participants continue to benefit from the program through their involvement throughout their entire undergraduate academic career at Ohio State.”
Could you tell Latin@/Hispanic freshmen why they should participate in the Bridge Program?
“I believe the Bridge Program is an excellent opportunity for incoming Ohio State Latin@ freshmen because they will have the opportunity to work with a staff eager to help with their transition to campus, meet new friends, and work with Peer Leaders who will introduce them to the ways of college life before the entire student population arrives. On the first day of classes, Bridge Program participants’ demeanor is different — they carry a sense of pride, they know people, they know where their classes are, they know their professors, and they aren’t nervous about what to expect on the first day of classes... they’ve been there, done that.”
To learn more about the wonderful opportunities the Bridge Program can provide new freshmen, please call (614) 292-8732 or visit http://www.oma.osu.edu/bridge. |
