Rigorous Summer Bridge Program Immerses New Students in STEM Studies

This year, well before most of his freshman peers started to move into their dorm rooms, Tyson McGuire had already spent six weeks on campus, immersed in studying math, physics and science — and showing off his skills at the piano.

He joined 28 other incoming students for the university’s LSAMP Summer Bridge Scholars Program. LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation), which is designed to prepare students majoring in STEM fields for rigorous college schedules, has a 27-year history at the University of Cincinnati. A state-wide alliance of 11 schools now supports the program across Ohio.

Since its founding on UC’s campus, LSAMP has grown to encompass students from three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Applied Science and Allied Health Sciences. LSAMP Director Ken Simonson says the Summer Bridge Scholars Program does more than help students transition from high school to college, it helps them get excited about learning and about STEM. 

During the Bridge Program, McGuire and his peers studied math, physics, biology, chemistry and English. They also took education-focused field trips to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Procter & Gamble and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Centers for Disease Control to learn about career opportunities. In addition to that outside exposure, students were able to tutor and be tutored. Most importantly, LSAMP students had ongoing opportunities to meet and work with not only their future professors, but also the deans of their colleges. 

“My favorite part was tutoring the other students in math,” said McGuire, 18, who came to UC from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, near Columbus. He was one of seven McMicken College of Arts and Sciences students in the summer program to earn an award for his efforts. 

“He’s intelligent, collaborates with others, wants to become a theoretical physicist and plays the piano like a superstar,” said Carol Tonge Mack, assistant dean in the College of Arts and Sciences Academic Services. She has seen many talented incoming students leave LSAMP Summer Scholars Program better prepared for college success.

Chemistry major Amanuel Haile, for example, started his UC career with Summer Bridge Scholars and continues to take part in LSAMP programs, including STEM community engagement activities. “As an LSAMP Scholar, I’ve gained a lot of experience and knowledge on how to be successful in school,” Haile said. “The Summer Bridge gave us tools on how to study, manage our time and build a community of intelligent colleagues. The faculty and mentors treat us with the utmost respect and show us steps to becoming successful later in life.”

Other LSAMP students appreciate the sense of community fostered at Summer Bridge. “The peers in my group and I study together often, help each other with homework and get through life at college together,” said biology major Nyiva Muyanga.

Neurobiology major and Summer Bridge Scholar Nadya Streicher praised the connections she has made because of LSAMP. “The LSAMP program has given me a network of people, united for a common goal: promoting diversity in STEM professions,” she said.  “My advisor, Ms. Carol Tonge Mack, is a great influence on my life and has helped me in many ways adapt to college.”

For Maria West, a biology major and Summer Bridge Scholar, the program provided her with opportunities to develop her critical skills. “The program has expanded my sense of community, society, and has sharpened my ability to be a better contributor to today’s world,” she said.