Students that have completed the UMSL Bridge Program can earn scholarships to the University of Missouri–St. Louis!
Natissia Small, UMSL’s vice provost for access, academic support and workforce integration, and Bridge Program Director Channon Peoples hug graduating seniors from the Cigna Saturday Academy after presenting them with cords to commemorate their completion of the program during the 37th Annual Award Recognition and Closing Ceremony on Saturday morning at America’s Center. (Photos by Steve Walentik)
More than 300 area high school students and their families, all dressed in their Sunday best, filed into a second floor ballroom at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis Saturday morning for the University of Missouri–St. Louis Bridge Program Cigna Saturday Academy’s 37th annual Award Recognition and Closing Ceremony.
There was much to celebrate with the breakfast event back in person for the first time in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though there has been no disruption in the Bridge Program delivering quality precollegiate support and education to students of every background from across the region during that time.
The past year has been no different with high school freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors gathering for extra instruction in mathematics, science and written and oral communication, as well as personal and professional development, two Saturday mornings each month on the UMSL campus.
The Benefits of Bridge
All Programs are FREE!
Scholarship and Dual Enrollment Opportunities
ACT Prep Courses and Materials
1:1 College Planning Meetings
Student Success Empowerment Workshops
Students of every background from across the St. Louis area and beyond have benefited from the Bridge Program’s Saturday Academy, which provides courses in mathematics, science and written and oral communication as well as career, personal and professional development. The Cigna Foundation is continuing to support that work with a new $200,000 grant. (Photo courtesy of Channon Peoples)
Cigna Foundation awards $200,000 grant to support Bridge Program’s Saturday Academy
The Cigna Foundation is helping the University of Missouri–St. Louis continue its longstanding efforts to prepare area high school students of every background for college success through the Bridge Program‘s Saturday Academy.
Tyler Wright is winding down his senior year at Pattonville High School and still deciding on his future plans. Wright knows he wants to study molecular biology.
Mya Miranda finds it difficult to put into words how much her scholarship to attend the University of Missouri–St. Louis has meant on a personal level.
From tessellations to forensics, Summer Academy lessons shape St. Louis youth for future successThere’s a depth to the curriculum offered in Bridge that goes beyond the traditional school setting – and ultimately prepares them for what they will experience in college.
Clarke plans to study engineering through the Joint Engineering Program run in a partnership between UMSL and Washington University in St. Louis.
A new partnership with Express Scripts will allow the University of Missouri–St. Louis to expand its efforts to help local young people thrive.
Ameren Corporation Chairman, President and CEO Warner Baxter announced the partnership as part of the company’s $2.5 million multifaceted initiative.
For more than 29 years, the UMSL Bridge Program has served St. Louis-area students by bulldozing barriers to college entry and paving the way for the leaders of tomorrow.
Held at America’s Center, the event marked the conclusion of another successful year of hard work by the students, parents, staff and faculty involved in Bridge.
When FOCUS St. Louis considers the question of which organizations and individuals are making a difference in the region, UMSL is among the answers.
UMSL alumnus Terrence L. Freeman, a professor of mechanical engineering at St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley, addresses Bridge student.
“I said I was 100 percent against the idea,” said Williams. “But the UMSL Bridge Program ended up being a really great experience for me in so many ways.”
Bridge remains a highly successful program with 100 percent of participating seniors enrolling in post-secondary institutions.
“I am extremely proud of the tremendous work the Bridge Program has done for more than 26 years preparing young students for postsecondary educational opportunities.”
Bridge program reaches out to underserved students throughout the St. Louis area, helping them gain college, professional skills.
