For first-time college student Kevin Camit, having clear goals in mind has helped him focus on studying for a career in psychology. After growing up in Fresno, Camit and his family moved to northern Nevada to look for more opportunities. Camit’s goal was to follow his father’s footsteps in attending college, and he knew to look for support on campus. Fortunately, he found the TMCC Success First Summer Bridge Program, which provided him the chance to get extra support while also taking free classes.
Giving First-Generation Students a Head Start
Summer Bridge is an annual evidence-based college readiness program to promote enrollment, persistence, and successful completion among low-income, first-generation, first-time college students. This entry point gives students a jumpstart to TMCC with core college courses the summer before their first academic year. Students learn about STEM and growing career fields with access to educational and motivational support, such as tutoring, writing support, advising, counseling, and more.
“It’s important to TMCC that our first-time, first-generation college students get extra support in their first classes,” says TMCC President Dr. Karin Hilgersom. “Data has consistently shown that students who have completed the Summer Bridge program have significantly higher persistence and graduation rates than those who have not participated.”
“It is so exciting that students attend for free, thanks to generous supporters who cover all of the program costs,” says Hilgersom. Students enroll in Math and College Readiness courses, and as an incentive, students who complete the six-week Success First Summer Bridge program with at least a 2.0 GPA earn an $800 scholarship ($400 in the fall, $400 in the spring).
After 15 years, TMCC data shows that Summer Bridge participants are more likely to enroll in higher-level college classes, be enrolled full-time compared to part-time, and remain enrolled in TMCC after their first semester. The program also serves a high minority population, with 62% of the 2023 group identifying as Hispanic.
“The program empowers first-generation college students to thrive academically—while fostering growth at every step,” said Jocelyn Cabrera, Summer Bridge alumna and program coordinator. “This is a full-circle moment for me. This program supported my academic journey and has set my professional career in ways I could have never imagined.”
Help Comes in Many Forms
For many Summer Bridge students, extra support comes from 1-1 tutoring.
This summer, retired pediatrician Dr. Barry Frank joined the ranks of dedicated tutors who were helping students learn complex mathematical concepts such as algebra.
Frank remembers that at the start of the summer, the Summer Bridge students took a math exam, and it was clear many students were struggling. “But they didn’t drop out,” he says proudly. “I can connect with a student and feel I’m making a difference in their learning experience. When we finish working on problems, I ask them to walk me back through the steps we just finished. And if they can do that, that helps.”
Frank has had a lifetime of experience volunteering in classrooms since his own child was young. He became a tutor this summer after donating to the TMCC Foundation, supporting scholarships for students in the Maxine S. Jacobs Nursing Program, and learning about the opportunities in Summer Bridge.
“There’s a lot of support [for Summer Bridge students]. Everyone from Dr. Hilgersom down to the other tutors,” said Frank. “Adine Stormoen has been helpful (TMCC Manager for the Life Sciences, Allied Health, and Public Safety Division). She’s a good tutor; she knows math and how to connect with kids. I’ve learned a lot from watching the other tutors.”
“The students aren’t asking for help, which is human nature. I wander around to see if someone needs help right at that moment. I hope they will take away from this summer experience that there’s help available when they need it. A lot of people are rooting for them [to succeed].”
Memories Shared at Closing Ceremony
(Front row) Summer Bridge students Andrea Cuevas Galindo, Rachel Velasco, and Kevin Camit stand proudly with their completion certificates alongside (second row) donors Lindsay Kaiser, NV Energy; Madi Harlan, NV Energy; Kyle Whaley, Plumas Bank; and Matthew Thornton, U.S. Bank, who happily present a thank you gift from the future college attendees.
The Summer Bridge 2024 closing ceremony took place in early August and celebrated the cohort of 109 students.
“One of the most memorable experiences I had was the STEM workshop,” said 2024 participant Andi Galindo. “We were assigned the project of making paper helicopters to see whose could stay in the air for the longest time. Although it was a competition, we all exchanged ideas and were able to learn from each other’s mistakes. The workshop helped us practice teamwork, how to take criticism from others, and how to ask for help. These are all skills we’ll use throughout our college career, and I’m grateful we got to put them to use throughout our time here.”
Galindo acknowledged that the Summer Bridge is a challenge, but one that’s worth facing. “Over the past six weeks, we’ve taken on a path of learning and growth,” she said. “The obstacles we’ve faced through our journey pushed us to think critically and have provided us with valuable skills that I’m hoping all of us use this upcoming semester.”
“I want to show everyone that the word impossible needs to go from your vocabulary,” says Camit. “The word ‘impossible,’ the words ‘I can’t,’ and ‘I won’t’ aren’t real. Those are all lies we tell ourselves because we live in a world of negativity, and I want that to change. I want to show everyone that the words they need to be saying are ‘possible,’ ‘I can,’ and ‘I will.’ And thankfully, Summer Bridge is letting me do that.”
It Takes a Village
“Close to 1,500 students have participated in Summer Bridge since its inception,” continued Hilgersom. “As a result, these students have continued to have higher GPAs and a higher retention rate to their next semester.”
The TMCC Foundation and Grants Office works year-round to find community support for the Summer Bridge program, which receives annual assistance from state-supported program support, general improvement fee funding, and TMCC financial aid. Additionally, TMCC is grateful for the generous support of donors who contribute more than $100,000 annually. The 2024 donors include:
- NV Energy Foundation
- Plumas Bank
- Nell J. Redfield Foundation
- Susanne and Gloria Young Foundation
- U.S. Bank Foundation
TMCC Summer Bridge also receives support from a University of Nevada, Reno grant: Nevada IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) to increase the number of low-income, first-generation, non-traditional gender, and underrepresented minority undergraduates interested in and successfully working toward biomedical careers.
“I would like to say how thankful I am to have this amazing opportunity to be here,” said Summer Bridge 2024 participant Rachel Rodriguez. “These last six weeks have been nothing less than phenomenal and full of the most wonderful opportunities. I want to thank our kindhearted and wonderful donors who made all this possible. Because of your generosity, I took the first step into accomplishing my dream of being the first in my family to attend college and become a pediatric nurse.”
“TMCC is proud of our Summer Bridge participants, many of whom have completed their education and are now working in the community,” says Hilgersom. “It’s an honor to know this program made a difference in their lives and set them on a path to great careers.”
Rodriguez continued, “As a first-generation student and being the oldest girl in my family, I had a lot of pressure about going to college—but what I didn’t have a lot was confidence in myself to accomplish those goals. Since finishing Summer Bridge, I feel confident in my ability for myself and my family.”
For more information about Summer Bridge, contact the Recruitment and Access Center at 775-673-8236.