UC Clermont Summer Scholars program launches student success

“I felt curious and anxious about what college was actually like,” Damen said.

During his senior year in high school, Damen saw a school announcement for UC Clermont’s Summer Scholars, a four-week, 32-hour initiative designed to help incoming students transition smoothly into college life. The program aims to provide educational opportunities, hands-on learning experiences and valuable networking with local industry professionals.

Damen applied and was accepted as one of 18 first-time college freshmen.

“The program felt welcoming right away and not intimidating at all,” Damen said. “It felt like summer camp. We heard from speakers, learned about the college; it broadened our mindsets of what we wanted to do. It was comforting.”

In addition to personalized support through the enrollment process and one-on-one sessions with academic coaches, Summer Scholars receive a $1,500 scholarship if they enroll in classes full time for fall semester. Participants also continue to meet with mentors and their fellow Summer Scholars during their first semester of classes.

2024 marked the second year for the UC Clermont program, which focuses particularly on providing opportunities to students who might be underprepared, underrepresented as a minority or with a disability, or are the first generation in their family to attend college. The program is funded with an Inclusive Leadership grant from UC and by UC Clermont.

“We felt like we had an opportunity to improve the transition experience for a first-year student a population that has historically experienced challenges to that process,” said Jenn Radt, assistant dean of student affairs. “They get to campus early, meet other students, have small group experiences with faculty and learn about campus resources. So when August rolls around, they feel acclimated, comfortable and like this is their campus — which in turn leads to academic success.”

The positive benefits of the program are already evident: in 2023, nine of the 12 scholars finished fall semester with a GPA above 3.0. Retention rate among the scholars from fall to spring semesters was 100%; and 10 of the 12 students are still enrolled at UC.

Damen hopes to be one of those success stories. The son of a food truck entrepreneur and a nurse, he chose to major in pre-business administration and plans to continue his education beyond an associate degree.

“(At UC Clermont), I can earn the same education that I can get at any other college for a fraction of the cost,” said Damen, who feels like he got a jumpstart on his path thanks to Summer Scholars. “I knew so much more than my peers on day one of classes.”

Radt said Damen’s experience epitomizes what the Summer Scholars program is all about. In helping unsure students navigate the process of becoming a college student, UC Clermont is putting success within their reach.

“I feel like they’re my kids. They’re an extension of my own family,” Radt said. “I’ll see them on campus, and it’s like coming home.”

Learn more about UC Clermont’s Summer Scholars program.

Featured image at top: 2024 UC Clermont Summer Scholars with college staff (back row).