Newswise — Making the transition from high school to college can be difficult for anyone. But for students who are the first in their family to go to college or who are disadvantaged by economic, cultural or educational circumstances, the culture shock can be particularly traumatic, hindering their chances for success.
To help smooth the way for such students, Florida State University's Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) offers a "Summer Bridge Program" that gives them an opportunity to acclimate to college life at a more comfortable pace while providing them with the information and advice they need. This week, more than 310 incoming freshman students from all over Florida are on the FSU campus as part of the Summer Bridge Program. They are staying on campus at two residence facilities, Bryan and Reynolds halls, and will receive a week of orientation and transition activities prior to their first day of classes on June 26.
"Over its six years of existence, FSU's Summer Bridge Program has admitted a highly diverse population of students, both in terms of ethnicity and of academic talents," said Karen Laughlin, FSU's dean of Undergraduate Studies. "The CARE program has continued to mentor and support these students throughout their years at FSU. In the absence of this program, many of these students likely would not have the opportunity to attend a major research institution such as Florida State University — and certainly would not have been as successful here."
Many students have gone on to excel in their collegiate studies thanks to the opportunities provided by the Summer Bridge and related programs, according to CARE Director Angela C. Richardson.
"Numerous CARE students have significantly distinguished themselves as leaders and scholars at FSU," she said. "The retention and graduation rates of participants are highly competitive with, and in some instances surpass, those of the general student population."
Twenty-one residential counselors, including upper-division and graduate students and recent FSU alumni, will serve as live-in guides and mentors through the summer session that ends Aug. 4.
For more information about FSU's Summer Bridge Program or its Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement, please visit http://care.fsu.edu/.
On a related note, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush recently signed into law a student financial-assistance bill that establishes a new First Generation Matching Grant Program, to be funded by an initial allotment of $6.5 million. The program will provide matching funds to state universities with programs in place to assist Florida residents who enroll in a state university, have financial need and whose parents did not earn a bachelor's degree. Persons interested in making gifts to the First Generation Matching Grant Program on behalf of FSU may call Perry Fulkerson of the Florida State University Foundation at (850) 644-0573.
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