|
Forward Summer Bridge Program |  |
University of San Francisco - San Francisco, CA - Mission, Admissions
Description:
University of San Francisco's Foreword Summer Bridge Program (FSBP) is a residential pre-college transition program. This program is aptly named as students participate in the program in the weeks leading up to their freshman year and they are encouraged to view the program as the foreword to their college career. The USF Foreword Program is focused on empowering students to succeed at USF by introducing them to the academic and social expectations of the USF community.
The program works in collaboration with the Department of Biology, the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Physics, the Department of Nursing, Student Support Services, Academic Advising, the Learning Assistance Center, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Program History:
The Foreword Summer Bridge Program started in the early 90's with a grant from the James Irvine Foundation and was housed in the Division of Student Affairs. Now housed in the Learning & Writing Center, in the division of Academic Affairs, the Foreword Summer Bridge Program is a multi-collaborative event that involves the offices of Multicultural Student Services, the Office of Residence Life, Department of Student Athletics, and Academic Support Services. The program provides incoming first year students with an opportunity to get a head start on their academic and social life at the University of San Francisco and take courses for credit and acclimating to the college environment.
Students meet once a month (sometimes twice) to discuss areas of research, enhance intellectual and study skills and build camaraderie. They have access to science professionals and physicians of color who serve as mentors and role models, take science-related field trips, and receive specialized advising.
Program Goals:
The five main goals of the Foreword Program include: 1. To develop and enhance the essential academic skills needed to successfully meet the demands of the University's rigorous academic curriculum;
2. To build a bridge between the participants' home community and the USF learning community through exploration of the participant's cultural values and perspectives, and by gaining an understanding of ones' own unique process of growth and development;
3. To explore the values, skills and knowledge needed to function effectively in our multicultural campus and world;
4. To provide a collaborative and mutually supportive learning environment that recognizes and promotes the value of a college education; and
5. To learn how to take advantage of campus resources and opportunities to help the participants succeed as scholars and as student leaders
Another underlying goal of the Foreword Program is student retention. The students targeted to participate in the Foreword Program run a higher risk of dropping out of school, due to academic and social reasons. The community and relationships that are created by the Foreword Program creates a security for net for these students participants.
Program Layout:
The Foreword Program takes place in the weeks preceding the start of fall academic semester. Students move into their residence hall in mid-August and are able to keep this room assignment throughout their first year of college. Students are required to take 4 courses for a total of 2 units (each class is .5 units). Courses include: Math, Computer Literacy, Writing, and Contemporary Issues. In addition to the course schedule students participate in several valuable workshops presented by the USF community. These workshops include: Jesuit Values, Library Tour, Learning & Writing Center Tour, Health and Harmony, Test Taking skills, self-defense, Career Services, Exploring Identity and Community Values.
The Foreword Program staff includes: Six peer mentors who are all former Foreword students, a Program Coordinator, and six Foreword faculty members.
|
Back 