A summer program designed to prepare New Brunswick high school graduates for Middlesex County College yielded “phenomenal results,” according to the director of the program. Forty-two successfully completed Phase One of the J&J Summer Bridge Program out of 49 who started in May.
That was the highest percentage in the program’s eight-year history.
“We added some components to the program to meet the needs of today’s learners,” said Kimberlee Hooper, director of School Relations, which runs the Bridge Program. “We really pushed technology and used software that was adaptable and would assist students no matter what level they were at.”
The Bridge Program, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, also included intensive tutoring with faculty members.
“This personal interaction with the faculty was key to the students’ success,” she said. “They would work with the group as a whole and then also one-on- one.”
The Bridge program is aimed at prospective MCC students who, because of their Placement Test scores, must take developmental courses before they can start credit classes. The Bridge program works with those students; they are later tested again, and many will start credit classes this fall.
It also allows them to meet key staff in Counseling, Career Services, Financial Aid, and other departments.
“These students are getting a jumpstart on their college education,” Ms. Hooper said.
Of the 42 who completed Phase One, 27 then took Student Success 101, a three-credit course designed to help college students learn techniques that will help them with college work and college life.
“This is motivating,” Ms. Hooper said. “They have three credits even before starting classes in the fall.”
Students who complete the program receive a $200 Bookstore credit for the next two semesters and those not receiving financial aid are giving a $500 tuition credit from J&J.
“J&J’s support has been incredible,” Ms. Hooper said.
