The Interview

 As I stated in my previous post “An Overview of the Admissions Process”, teachers, principals, guidance counselors, and even fellow Bridge’s students nominate students to become part of the program. To narrow down the applicants an interview is held on Furman University’s campus.  When I interviewed students who are now in there senior and sophomore years, they all recalled an incident with a paperclip. When seated down at the interview the Bridge’s folks understand that the students are nervous and are often lacking confidence in themselves, thus a paperclip is placed in front of them. Everyone said it was the perfect thing to do with their hands, and that it made them feel a little more at ease.

The interview usually begins with some basic questions that Tobi Swartz shared with me. Some examples of typical questions include “Is there someone in your life you view as a role model?” “What are your after high school plans?” and “Why do you want to be in the Bridges to a Brighter Future Program?”. The student’s I interviewed said that in the interview they felt they started on a basic level, but were kindly pushed to share deeper information about themselves, their families, and their lives. The interviewers are looking for some traits in the students such as a significant need such as low self –esteem or unrealized potential. The also look for students with unique personalities and that are looking for more in their life. I can’t wait to sit in on some of the interviews and share more personal stories when they occur in late February!

An Overview of the Admissions Process

Bridges to a Brighter Future offers an amazing opportunity to twenty-five students a year. Numerous students are qualified for the program, meaning that they meet the basic criteria: they come from a low-income family, have a B average, and a clean displinary record. Principals and guidance counselors from local school are brought to the “Bridge’s to a Brighter Future Educator Breakfast” where they are informed of the selection criteria to be passed along to classroom teachers of 9^th grade students. A teacher, a guidance counselor, or a friend who is also in the Bridges program must then nominate students in November and December. Then each nominated student is assigned a time and personally interviewed by the Bridges team and occasionally guest interviewers that are tasked to narrow it down to just twenty-five students that they believe can benefit from the program the most.  Also in the decision process they try their best to pick student’s that will fit well together and form a cohesive group. In more time I will explain these processes more in depth and share some personal student experiences, but as you can see the outcomes prove they're doing something right!

Summer Banquet

Bridges offers the opportunity for each grade to become a close knit group by

 carefully selecting students that they think will bring out the best in each other.

         

I’m working with this organization along with my fellow classmates to revamp their media usage. For part of the media presentation we will be putting together for Bridges to a Brighter Future, I will be looking closely at the admissions process.  I will be sitting in on several sessions where students are interviewed to become part of Bridge’s, interviewing current students about their admissions process and journey while in the Bridge’s program, and interviewing those who do the nominating and the choosing of students to give a comprehensive look at the admissions process.  In conjunction with the blog posts our team will be working with Bridges to update their Facebook and Twitter pages, look out for future video and audio clips coming soon!  Check out some photos below of what the Bridge's program has to offer after acceptance!

Crossing the Bridge: Summer Program

“It is like college orientation week, but better… You get to prepare for college, while hanging out with your friends!”  – Luis Gonzales, Bridges Councilor

Crossing the Bridge: giving high school graduates the tools 
they need to succeed in college
(Photos courtesy of Bridges to a Brighter Future)

One major component of Crossing the Bridge is the Summer program. Dean Bailey, a Bridges to a Brighter Future alumnus and Crossing the Bridge counselor, described the program saying, “this week is intended to prepare the students for college by teaching them skills they will need to know and giving them a taste of what is to come.”

Dean Bailey, former Bridges student, is clearly impressed with the new program: “I was a Bridges student and I remember being in their shoes, the information they are getting in these seminars is so important!  I wish I could have had this opportunity before I started at Furman.”

Summer 2011 was the first summer for Crossing the Bridge. Over all the overall the summer was a success, but Casey Crisp, assistant director, would like to improve some things in the future

First, she would like to try and schedule more individual advising time with the students. Through the course of the week, counselors found that many students had important tasks like registering for classes and housing that had yet to be done. By building in more individual advising time they can make sure everything is ready for the student to have a smooth transition in the fall.

Second, she would like to expand on the types of workshops available to the students. Crisp explains, “we were able to have Dr. Thomas give some writing seminars, which was excellent, but I would love to see students who are interested in the sciences to get some time in a lab before going to school.”

Lastly, Casey would like to find more financial support for the program for scholarships and school supplies. “In a perfect world, we would be able to send all students to school with a laptop and book stipend, ” adds Crisp. 

Although there are not a ton of programs like Crossing the Bridge, there are a few out there that stand out as examples for Bridges to learn from:

•       New York University
•      Washington University of St. Louis
•      University of Wisconsin- Madison

Looking for a college access program in your area? Check out the National College Access Program Directory!          

Thanks for reading, check back for more posts soon!

Lindsey A. 

Building the Bridge

Counselors and Students do countless activities together, all ending with smiles!

From outdoor field-trips to work in the classroom, joy is one thing that follows Bridges participants in all that they do. This happiness is apparent in the reviews of the program shared by current counselors and students. I spoke with current students and counselors at last week's Saturday College and through the interviews I began to better understand the positive influence that the program has brought to the lives of the participants.

One counselor, Emily Barksdale, pointed out that her main goal  is for Bridges students to understand that "it's okay to be themselves."  There is nothing more empowering than to be acknowledged for personal strength, and the Bridges students are recognized for their individual achievements rather than being expected to fit a mold. This coincides perfectly with the slogan of Bridges, which is that the students involved have "potential that outdistances their circumstances." The students are encouraged and motivated by the energetic counselors to be the best that they can possibly be, regardless of outside circumstances.

The interviews with two Bridges students allowed me to gauge the first-hand impact that the counselors have on students' lives, both inside and outside of college-prep. One student described the counselors as being very well-balanced between responsibility and recreation. The counselors work hard to plant seeds of substantial study habits by keeping them informed of due dates for applications and SAT/ACT tests and holding them accountable for their schoolwork. This hard work is matched by games, stories, and activities that have created a fun and youthful community among the students.

The main message that I gathered through the interviews is that Bridges to a Brighter Future is a positive, life-changing program that has only yielded great results for all involved. From being described as life-changing by a student, to "the BEST summer program in the world" by counselor Geena Stith, it is easy to see how highly the participants view the program from both ends of the spectrum. If you would like to feel the impact for yourself, check out the Bridges website to view some testimonies from past Bridges students!

As I continue following Bridges counselors throughout this semester I hope to delve into the projects and work that they do in order to understand the positive results for myself. In the next few weeks I will focus on the more functional side of the program, looking at the guidance that the counselors provide for the logistical side of Bridges, such as the test prep, applications, and additional work necessary to build the bridge to graduation and college acceptance.

Photo credit: Tobi Swartz, Dean Bailey, and Bridges to a Brighter Future

Crossing the Bridge

Bridges to a Brighter Future is designed to help students access college, but what happens once they get there?

This is just the start: The first class of Crossing the Bridge students poses for a
 picture at the end of  the one week summer session
Summer 2011 (Picture courtesy of Bridges to a Brighter Future)

This is the question that Bridges to a Brighter Future seeks to answer through their new program Crossing the Bridge. “Our ultimate goal in starting Crossing the Bridge is to have 100% of our students graduate from college” says Casey Crisp, Associate Director of Bridges to a Brighter Future.

The program started in August of 2010 when an anonymous donor gifted Bridges 3 million dollars to expand their program. They thought about expanding into another county, or taking on middle school students, but in the end, they decided the students would benefit most from a college success program.

Bridges to a Brighter Future makes college accessible to students through their Summer Program and Saturday College. Thanks to these two programs, for the past two years 100% of bridges students pursued higher education, and their students average GPA is currently a 3.8. 

“Even with this success, we found that many of our students were facing challenges once they got to college, ” says Crisp.

These challenges are not uncommon. A study by the U.S Department of Education shows students who are the first members of their families to attend college “are at a distinct disadvantage in gaining access to postsecondary education. Even those who overcome the barriers and do enroll have difficulty remaining enrolled and attaining a degree.” The same is true for low-income students, with only 9% of enrollees ultimately receiving a degree. 

Crossing the Bridge hopes to improve graduation rates through various components including, but not limited to:

•  One week summer program- students learn the keys to success in college ranging from study skills to decision-making  
•  Individual visits- Bridges staff visit students at their respective colleges once a semester
• Bridges Buddies- ongoing support and encouragement from Furman University professors  
• Special workshops- seminars held during college breaks on a variety of topics  

Check out photos from the first week long summer program!

 

(All Photos courtesy of Bridges to a Brighter Future)

I cant wait to elaborate on Crossing the Bridge’s various components over the next few weeks! Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below.

Lindsey A. 

Desireé LaFreniere: SC Teaching Fellow and First Generation College Student

In the fall of 2012, Desireé LaFreniere will become the first member of her family to attend college, as well as the recipient of the prestigious SC Teaching Fellows Scholarship. This fellowship is for high school seniors who have exhibited “high academic achievement, a history of service to their school and community, and a desire to teach in South Carolina.”

Desireé will be attending Winthrop University where she will study to become a high school history teacher. According to an article in USA Today, Desireé is part of 30% of entering freshman in the United States who are first generation college students.

Studies have shown that first generation college students graduate at lower rates than students who have parents that attended college. According to a report by the National Center for Education Statistics, 25% of first-generation students who enrolled in post-secondary education between 1992 and 2000 attained a bachelor's degree. In contrast, 68% of students whose parents had a bachelor's degree or higher finished their undergraduate education.

Through the Crossing the Bridge program, Bridges to a Brighter Future is working to ensure that program participants not only enroll in college, but have the skills and knowledge they need to graduate from college and beat the statistics. For more information about Crossing the Bridge, check out Lindsey’s post.

I have no doubt that Desireé will succeed in college and go on to be a dedicated teacher. While I was interviewing her, I was impressed by her positive outlook and determination.

Desireé currently lives alone while her mother migrates between states, earning money doing agricultural work, which she sends back to Desireé for rent and other expenses. While Desireé says that living alone has its challenges, it has helped her develop independence.


Desireé’s independence has helped her emerge as a leader in Bridges, where she served on the leadership team at the 2011 summer program. This is a group of five students selected by their peers who plan and lead the morning assembly, as well as serve as liaisons between their fellow students and the Bridges counselor team.

 The back of Desireé's jersey for the 2011 leadership retreat. Credit: Bridges to a Brighter Future

To hear more about Desireé’s awesome story, check out her video testimony about the impact Bridges has had in her life.

Elizabeth McKnight: College Bound

For many low-income students across the United States, college seems out of reach. According to a report by the Education Trust in 2009, 55 percent of low-income high school students enrolled in college, compared to 84 percent of their wealthier peers.

This is largely attributed to financial barriers. However, there are numerous other cultural issues that present challenges for young people of low-income families. For example, many students face a lack of knowledge about secondary education or a lack of parental support.  

Like many other students, when Elizabeth McKnight was a freshman in high school, she was unsure what her future held, but she knew that college was not a part of it.

Four years later, with the guidance of Bridges to a Brighter Future, Elizabeth knows exactly where she is going and how she is getting there. Elizabeth will graduate from Hillcrest High School in June 2012 and she is then headed to Winthrop University where she plans to major in Mass Communication and English Literature

Elizabeth McKnight (left) and Nadia Glover, seniors in the Bridges program, celebrate at Bridges' end of the summer banquet. Credit: Bridges to a Brighter Future

Bridges to a Brighter Future works to “break the cycle of poverty and low-educational attainment by equipping students, whose potential outdistances their circumstances, with the tools and support needed to graduate from high school and enroll in post-secondary education.”
 For seniors in particular, Bridges walks students through every step of the college application process, from standardized test preparation, to touring universities, to applying for scholarships and financial aid. A college application can be daunting, but Bridges makes sure that every student has the skills and the resources to apply.

 Not only has the program helped Elizabeth in the college application process, but it has helped her develop into a more well-rounded person overall. When she looks back to her freshman year, she hardly recognizes the person she once was.

"I didn’t realize how much I was lacking self-confidence and leadership. I am such a different person than who I was then. I’m not afraid to speak in front of people or lead a group. Life has become a lot better because I have learned to take hold of opportunities.”

According to Elizabeth, she had to grow up quickly in order to deal with the challenges of her father’s bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. However, Bridges has shown her that “you can’t let other people’s disabilities get in your way.”

I have no doubt that Elizabeth will go on to do great things at Winthrop University next year! Check out this Flickr slideshow with pictures of Elizabeth and friends during her senior year in Bridges. All photos were provided by Bridges to a Better Future.

Bridges Counselors

Bridges counselors at training camp

The Bridges to a Brighter Future program began in 1997 and has grown exponentially over the past 15 years. Yet, among all of the forward steps that the program has made, one element has been put on the back-burner. That element is online media. When schoolwork, scholarships, applications, and deadlines are on the forefront of the itinerary, one might question the importance of a media component, or even ignore it altogether. Yet, as we team up to help Bridges with a media facelift, we can see why it is so crucial to have a functioning social media network tied to Twitter, Facebook, and blogging. It is necessary for donors, counselors, and current and prospective students to have a forum that contains information and updates about the program. For this media project I have paired with the Bridges counselors to gauge their perception of the program. There are two types of counselors: high school guidance counselors and Bridges program counselors. The high school counselors act as coordinators; they nominate students, interview them for a Bridges position, and aid in college preparation. The Bridges counselors work hands-on, living with the students during the summer program and “fulfilling the challenging role of mentor, advisor, supervisor, disciplinarian, and friend” (“Counselors”). I will work with both branches to understand what they teach the students, while also learning what the program has taught them as counselors. It will be important that I attend events such as Saturday College, where I can obtain interviews with both the counselors and students. Here I will see the way the counselors work with the students on schoolwork, applications, and goal-setting. I will also talk to them about the four-week summer program and the new post-graduation program, Crossing the Bridge. After these interactions I will integrate my findings into the Bridges website, Facebook, and blog. This will allow clients, donors, and students to understand the work that goes into the program so that they can all further enjoy what they get out of it. Our hope is that the Bridges team can sustain the media update that we provide after we are finished with the class. I hope to build a strong media platform for the counselors to use, but that also allows outsiders to easily understand the focus and successes of the counselors and program as a whole.

“Counselors”. Bridges to a Brighter Future. 2009. Furman University. 28 Jan. 2012.