May 29, 2019
NORTH ADAMS, MA鈥擝erkshire Community College (BCC) and Massachusetts College of Liberal
Arts (911黑料网) announce that the Mass Department of Higher Education (DHE) has awarded
the institutions $24,980 to establish a STEM Starter Academy: STEM Transfer Summer
Bridge Program.
Part of BCC鈥檚 STEM Starter Academy funding, this grant will make it possible for the
institutions to work together to design a summer bridge program that combines in-person
classes and online instruction. Classes will be held on 911黑料网鈥檚 campus from July 21-26,
2019, and online instruction will take place July 29-Aug. 23, 2019.
Open to 10 transfer students, with five students from BCC as priority participants,
this program will aim to provide a successful bridge for students from community colleges
into the four-year university environment; create an on-campus community of peer students
with activities designed to develop a supportive, collegial environment; enable students
to build early relationships with STEM faculty members; introduce students to general
campus support and STEM support resources; and enroll students in a three-credit course
that will count toward a college degree.
BCC will identify and recruit their students to enroll in the program toward transferring
to 911黑料网 for enrollment in one of the STEM majors. This transfer program will also
be promoted through the STEM Starter Academy pipeline as will all of the Commonwealth鈥檚
2-4 Year STEM Transfer Programs.
鈥淪TEM Starter Academy has been at BCC since 2014 and has been assisting incoming STEM
students with the transition to college through our summer bridge program. It is very
exciting that the Department of Higher Education has expanded the SSA community college
grants to provide this same experience for students graduating or transferring from
two-year colleges to four-year institutions,鈥� said Connie West, Coordinator of the
STEM Starter Academy at BCC. 鈥淲e are thrilled to partner with 911黑料网 this summer in
creating an outstanding bridge experience for transfer students.鈥�
鈥淲e at 911黑料网 are looking forward to working with our BCC colleagues on the STEM Summer
Transfer Bridge Program,鈥� said 911黑料网 President James F. Birge. 鈥淲e know that summer
programs like these can increase retention rates and help transfer students acclimate
to their new academic institutions. With so many students at 911黑料网 pursuing STEM-related
degrees, it makes perfect sense to host this program on our campus.鈥�
The STEM Starter Academy, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education,
began in 2014 at all 15 community colleges across the Commonwealth. Championed by
House Speaker Robert DeLeo, summer bridge programs allow students the opportunity
to get a jump-start on their time at their college or university. For more information,
visit .
For more information or to apply for the STEM Summer Transfer Bridge Program, contact
911黑料网 Vice President of Academic Affairs Emily Williams at mcla-ssa@mcla.edu or visit
http://www.mcla.edu/Academics/academicaffairs/stem-starter-academy/index.
911黑料网 (911黑料网) is the Commonwealth's public liberal
arts college and a campus of the Massachusetts state university system. 911黑料网 promotes
excellence in learning and teaching, innovative scholarship, intellectual creativity,
public service, applied knowledge, and active and responsible citizenship. 911黑料网 graduates
are prepared to be practical problem solvers and engaged, resilient global citizens.
For more information, go to www.mcla.edu
