黑料吃瓜网

This summer, 黑料吃瓜网 welcomed a new cohort of students into its Paul Hackett Summer Bridge Program, a week-long experience designed to help students transition into college life and take the first steps of their 黑料吃瓜网 journey.

The program invited a small group of incoming students to campus one week before classes began, giving them the opportunity to learn about college resources, participate in academic success workshops, and build lasting connections with faculty, staff and peers.

Throughout the week, students engaged in activities designed to strengthen their academic skills and prepare them for the challenges of higher education. They met with professors and OU support staff to discuss academic expectations, map out potential pathways for their majors, and learn how to identify and overcome common barriers to success. These intentional conversations allowed students to visualize their academic journeys, creating a roadmap that emphasized persistence and long-term achievement.

Workshops introduced participants to critical resources such as tutoring, academic coaching, and research tools, ensuring they were equipped to take full advantage of 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 support systems from day one. By addressing academic skills like time management, study strategies, and goal-setting early, the program gave students the confidence to enter their first semester with a strong foundation and the assurance that they are not alone in their pursuit of success.

The Summer Bridge Program is one component of the College Success and Student Leadership Program, a comprehensive effort to bolster student retention, persistence and academic outcomes. The program will deliver a suite of evidence-based interventions that, together, will mitigate attrition and ensure that these student populations, including first-generation and low-income students, have the supports they need to achieve college success.

The program is made possible through generous multi-year grants from The Tull Charitable Foundation and The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta (on behalf of the Hackett/ Robitaille Families).

鈥淕rowing up homeschooled, I had limited social experience, so one of my biggest fears coming to college was constantly having to introduce myself and start conversations. The Bridge Program erased that pressure,鈥� said CJ Stallworth McFarland 鈥�29, a first-year politics major. 鈥淚 know the names of many professors before classes even started; they know mine and a bit about my story. It makes the transition into college life smoother in a way that鈥檚 hard to overstate.鈥�

鈥淚 have made some amazing friends during the Summer Bridge Program: other students, faculty, and even alumni, which was really cool,鈥� said Niyah Stewart 鈥�29, another first-year politics major. 鈥淭hat, for me, is something I will always remember and cherish. I am so honored to have been a part of this program, and I am looking forward to the opportunities that this program has given me!鈥�

At 黑料吃瓜网, building a culture of inclusion and belonging is at the heart of the student experience. The Summer Bridge Program sets the stage by helping new Petrels feel at home, connect with friends and mentors, and start their journey with confidence. With that foundation, students are encouraged to dream big, explore new ideas, take on challenges and grow into the kind of leaders who will make a lasting impact on campus and far beyond.