UNC Academic Summer Bridge
Retention Programs
Dr. Karrie G. Dixon
Associate Vice President
The University of North Carolina General Administration
Program Purpose
 Designed for recent high school graduates
 Intensive, “boot camp” structured program
 “Bridge” students into the fall semester and
introduce a foundation for student success
The University of North Carolina General Administration
Program Design
 Student must be admissible to the host
UNC campus
 Required to participate in a 5 or 6 week
intense summer residential program
 Program is NOT remedial and/or
developmental in design
The University of North Carolina General Administration
Program Design
 Must complete a college level Math and English
course (6 credits) with a grade of “C” or higher in
each course
 Students receive mandatory academic support
 Monitored through graduation by host campus
and UNC GA.
The University of North Carolina General Administration
UNC Academic Summer Bridge
Retention Programs
 5 SB programs across the UNC system:
 Panelists:
• Dr. David Hood, North Carolina Central University
Aspiring Eagles Academy
• Deana Johnson, UNC Pembroke
Raising the BAR
• Dr. Wanda Lester, NC A&T State University
Aggie Impact Scholars
The University of North Carolina General Administration
2011-2012
 The
primary purpose of the Aspiring Eagles
Academy (AEA) is to provide freshmen
students who have been admitted to North
Carolina Central University (NCCU) with an
academically based enrichment program that
will strengthen students’ ability to persist,
prepare students to think critically, solve
problems, communicate effectively, and
navigate the network and climate of NCCU.
 Undergraduate
Admissions
 Letter Mailed to Students Who Met the Criteria
 Application
 Parental Commitment
 Personal Interview
 Notification of Acceptance
 While,
the primary focus of the AEA Bridge
Program is to strengthen students’ ability to
experience academic success, the program
also focuses on the growth and development
of the whole student.
Accurate Placement in Math and English (ACCU
Placer)
 Mandatory and Structured Homework, Tutoring
and Supplemental Instruction (Math) Time
 Nightly Meeting With Peer Mentor
 Weekly Engagement Sessions
 Reading Enrichment
 Science Enrichment
 Healthy Eagles Always Thrive (H.E.A.T.)
 On-Campus and Off-Campus Cultural Experiences
 Academic Community Service Learning Project

 Peer
Mentoring
• Selection
• Responsibilities
 AEA
Living Learning Community
• Global Citizenship
• Common Residential Assignment
• Common Core Courses
 Personal
Interviews (before program
admissions)
 Mandatory Curfew
 Mandatory and Structured Homework/Study
Time
 Cultural Enrichment Activities
 Collaborations and Partnerships with other
campus programs and offices
 21
females (7 first generation)
 17 males (11 first generation)
 38 participants (100 %) enrolled fall 2011
 36 participants (90 %) enrolled spring 2012
 Operations
•
•
•
•
Program Dates
Waiting List
Daily Schedule
Staffing
 Academic
• Selection of Instructors
• Comprehensive Overview
 Academic
• Tutorial Services, Supplemental Instruction and Writing
Studio
• SmartThinking, a 24 hour online tutoring service.
• Grades First
• Assigned Common Academic Counselor
• Common University College Academic Advisor.
• Academic Coach (Attend a minimum of 3
Homework/Study Hall each week)
 Non Academic Support
 Counseling Center
 Residential Life
 Student Health Services
Raising the BAR
(Braves Academic
Readiness)
Summer Bridge
Program
“My experience in the Raising the BAR Program at UNCP was amazing. It prepared
me for my future.”
- Alexandria Locklear, Pembroke, NC

Students enrolled in 7 semester hours of
general education credit courses with
committed faculty and extra support.
 ENG 1050 – Composition I
 Math 1050 – Introduction to College Mathematics
 PED 1010 – Wellness and Fitness

In addition, students participated in a wide
range of academic success seminars,
activities, and technology training sessions.




Library’s Information Literacy Program
Center for Academic Excellence (CAE)
Center for Community and Civic Engagement
Common Reading Symposium




English Classes and Writing Labs
Supplemental Instruction in Gen. Education
Cohort Classes
Freshman Seminar 1000 - Service Learning



More students retained in Summer 2011 than
Summer 2010 and further development of
learning community concept
Increased Engagement with UNCP
(based on Student Surveys and Feedback)
Strong Academic Performance
After the fall semester 2011, 57% of students
in Raising the BAR had GPA’s above a 2.5, and
of those, 26% had GPA’s of 3.0 or higher.
Program Design
“This is what successful Aggies do . . .”
 Heightened focus on both academic and affective domains
 Both domains integrated as the program’s scaffold
 Six-week residential program based on the “House” model
 Continual “Recalibration”
 Modeling and applying
habits of success
 Leveraging resources
North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University
Participant Demographics
• 40 students selected from about 180 from 24 counties
• 24 females/16 males
• Admitted students
• GPA
2.5 to 3.9
• SAT 750 to 820
• 30 of the 40 eligible for
TRiO Student Support
Serv.
North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University
Academic Components
Designed to Instruct and Support
• English, math, and university orientation
• Diagnostic testing
• Small class sizes
• Course alignment
• “Office Hours”
• Professional Tutors
• Evening Library Hours
• Modeling/applying
success habits
• Academic Advising
North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University
Collaborations
 Several campus units were
instrumental to successful
execution of AISP
» Office of the Provost
» Student Affairs
» TRiO Student Support Services
» NC-LSAMP
» Summer School
» Office of Undergraduate Admissions
» Registrar
» Financial Aid
» Residential Life & Housing
North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University
Non-state Funded Professional/Social Components
 Starbucks Breaks
 Trip to Georgia
Aquarium
 Ebenezer Baptist Church
 Dinner with Atlanta
Alumni
 Gate City Annual
Cookout
 Student Affairs Activities
North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University
Program Results
Summer Bridge

All 40 completed the program/all 40 returned for the fall semester

40 earned a C or higher in English/36 earned a C or higher in math
Fall Semester

3.0 or Better
13
2.5 – 2.9
16
2.0 – 2.49
8
Good Standing
 Academic Probation
North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University
37
3
UNC Academic Summer Bridge
Retention Programs
Questions?
The University of North Carolina General Administration