Summer Bridge Academy

The Center for Academic Excellence offers the Summer Bridge Academy (SBA) as an alternative admissions program, to aid high school graduates in achieving academic success in college. We believe that all students should master basic academic skills to achieve their educational goals. Some students need to develop these skills before enrolling in college and therefore are required to participate in the SBA. SBA is designed to give students the tools and resources they need to be successful at Salem State University throughout their academic careers.

Those selected for the SBA will begin at the university by participating in and completing a six-week summer program. During the academic year, students will continue to be connected with appropriate academic and student development resources. Students who participate in the Summer Bridge Academy are enrolled in a combination of college-level credits coupled with developmental courses. These developmental courses are designed to supplement and improve their academic skills.

Additionally, students will participate in various activities that help to ensure their success outside of the classroom and enhance student learning. Through weekly individual appointments, group meetings, and a variety of workshops held throughout the summer and academic year, our SBA staff endeavors to develop the whole student. Each student is assigned a designated student development counselor who meets with them on a regular basis throughout the summer and academic year. These meetings allow our counselors to monitor the academic progress of each student and to address any problems that may arise.

The student development counselors also conduct various workshops, some of which include: classroom etiquette, time management, emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, financial literacy, getting involved on campus, and selecting majors and minors. Further, the student development team works closely with other offices on campus including, but not limited to counseling and health services, career services, disability services, financial aid, and academic advising.

The student development counselors seek to:

• Develop an awareness of the students educational and career goals
• Serve as a role model through long-term mentoring
• Provide assistance with  financial aid and financial literacy
• Provide personal counseling, career counseling, academic planning
• Support students in developing and fostering self-confidence, self-determination, and self-esteem