Bridge to SU
Apply to Bridge to SUBridge to SU
Ease Into College Life
We understand that transitioning into college can be difficult, especially for first-generation students, those with disabilities, from low-income backgrounds or any other group of students in need of support. That’s why we have created the Bridge to SU to help incoming freshmen. This program allows you to start your student journey a little early by taking classes over the summer. It will help prepare you for college life and introduce you to the community through service learning. The goal of Bridge to SU is to make college more equitable and increase student success. Those selected for this program will get to meet their peers, explore the community, earn credit and learn about college life.
Start in the fall with college credits
Complete one classes for one credit hour over the summer.
100% retention rate going into spring
All of our Summer Bridge to SU students continue from their first fall into the spring semester.
Work with a success coach
who will guide you through your first semester of college.
92% in good academic standing
Most of our Summer Bridge 2022 are currently enrolled and in good academic standing.
Bridge to SU Courses
The Bridge to SU summer program is structured around the one-credit hour University Studies course, SU100: Successful Student Strategies. SU100 is designed to help students transition into being a Spalding University student. Coursework covers learning styles, study skills, financial awareness, advising basics, career resources, academic progress and support resources.
Experiences Outside the Classroom
We also know that connection is important. We take time to go have fun and explore the community, while you get to build connections with your classmates. Experiences outside of class supplement the coursework and address financial and cultural concerns shared by many students. These experiences will cover several disciplines, including academic preparation, sociocultural community building, financial literacy and career exploration. Planned activities include:
- Writing Center experiences: explore the dynamic nature of the writing process and develop effective writing habits
- Success workshops: explore and discuss topics like financial literacy, research and academic planning
- Success coaching: pair with a near-peer success coach to help identify, refine and meet goals, find the resources to meet those goals and to serve as accountability partners
- Service learning: engage with real issues in the community via service learning sites in the communities surrounding campus
- Community-building events: ride four-person bikes by Waterfront Park, engage in problem solving games with your classmates and have fun getting to know your classmates while exploring the broader Louisville community
Flexibility Through Hybrid Learning
Many students work during the summer to help pay for college. In support of this, the program will be held in-person two days per week, with asynchronous class activities completed throughout the week.
SU100 is taught by experienced, full-time Spalding faculty and will be offered in a hybrid format, with two days on campus. By offering a hybrid approach, students will gain face-to-face benefits and can familiarize themselves with the Spalding University campus and its resources, while maintaining the flexibility to work or meet other non-academic needs throughout the summer.
Why Bridge to SU?
Nationally, students belonging to underrepresented groups, living with a disability, are first-generation and/or from a low-income background are less likely to continue through to graduation than their peers. According to the Center for Postsecondary Education, seven years after high school graduation, most low-income students have some college credit but no credential. Similarly, the 2004/09 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study by the U.S. Department of Education reports 80% of first-generation students attained a bachelor’s degree at private, nonprofit 4-year colleges, compared to 89% of continuing-generation students.
At Spalding, this is reflected in the first term persistence rates of first-generation students: For full time students starting between Fall 2016 and Fall 2021, 83% of first-generation students persisted to the Spring term, compared to 88% of continuing generation students. Data on underrepresented students tell a similar story: from Fall 2016 to Fall 2021, 88% of Spalding’s White, non-Hispanic students persisted to the Spring term, while just 74% of Black, non-Hispanic and 83% of Hispanic or Latinx students continued enrollment. These statistics indicate a special need to support these student populations as they begin their college experiences.
To date, our Bridge to SU program has been a resounding success! All students who participated in Bridge to SU persisted to spring at a rate of 100%, and 92% of the students from Summer Bridge 2022 are currently in good academic standing as well.
Contact Us
Have questions about Bridge to SU? Need help applying to the program? We’re happy to help however we can! Please contact Katherine Walker-Payne, Director for the Center for Accessibility.
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 502-873-4192