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UMSL’s School of Engineering and Bridge Program Collaborate to Prepare Future Engineers for the St. Louis Workforce

bridge-engineering

To support the launch of the new School of Engineering, the James S. McDonnell Foundation made an $8 million investment in UMSL to help recruit faculty, build a robust pipeline of interested students, and provide scholarships that remove financial barriers. Part of that investment supports the school’s collaboration with UMSL’s Bridge Program. Bridge introduces students to engineering years before they have to choose a major. The engineering school gives them a place close to home to build those skills once they do. 

Read the full story on www.JSMF.org

UMSL’s Bridge Program celebrates 40 years of preparing students of every background for college success

Channon Peoples (center) serves as the executive director of the UMSL Bridge Program. The program recently marked 40 years of building college readiness and expanding college access for students of every background across the St. Louis region. (Photos by Derik Holtmann)

“Since 1986, the Bridge Program has been planting seeds of possibility in the lives of students. Watching those seeds grow into confident leaders and changemakers is what keeps us doing this work every day.”

Read the full story on UMSL Daily

UMSL Bridge Program marks 40 years of impact as it celebrates newest graduates of Saturday Academy

Streamers fall on members of the UMSL Bridge Program’s 2026 senior class during the annual Saturday Academy Award Recognition Ceremony on Saturday evening at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center. (Photos by Derik Holtmann)

Late Chancellor Marguerite Ross Barnett was responsible for starting the program in 1986, and her vision remains vibrant in the 78 seniors who completed it this year.

Read the full story on UMSL Daily



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The Benefits of Bridge

All Programs are FREE!

Seniors earn college credit!

Scholarship Opportunities

ACT Prep Courses and Materials

1:1 College Planning Meetings

Student Success Empowerment Workshops

Senior

Bridge Program graduates and UMSL freshmen Kauthar Hammad, Taylor Moore and Marlo Shivers honored as Suggs Scholars

UMSL freshmen Marlo Shivers, Taylor Moore and Kauthar Hammad stand on stage to be recognized at The St. Louis American Foundation’s 38th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship and Awards Gala.

Senior

Bridge Program gathers to celebrate latest class of Saturday Academy graduates

Channon Peoples welcomed a well-dressed crowd of high school students, family members and friends to the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center Saturday evening as the University of Missouri–St. Louis’ Bridge Program marked another successful conclusion of its signature Saturday Academy.

Bridge Program awarded $1 million endowment from the James S. McDonnell Foundation to prepare students for STEM success

The James S. McDonnell Foundation is supporting the new UMSL School of Engineering with an $8 million grant that will help the university hire high-caliber faculty to teach and to engage with St. Louis industry as well as provide resources for immediate and endowed scholarships for students in the new school.

Senior

Bridge Program Saturday Academy celebrates latest group of college-bound graduates during annual Award Recognition and Closing Ceremony

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.

Bridge Program Saturday Academy Students holding signs that say Engage, Empower, Educate

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.

Bridge Program honors latest college-bound seniors to complete Saturday Academy

Pattonville senior Tyler Wright was among 107 seniors to complete the UMSL Bridge Program’s Express Scripts Saturday Academy this year. He served as the master of ceremonies at the 35th annual Award Recognition Ceremony held virtually on Saturday.

Senior

Meet the newest UMSL Bridge Program Express Scripts Scholars

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. A 2017 graduate of Hazelwood West High School, she finished her senior year with flying colors. But until just recently, a four-year university seemed out of reach.

Senior

From tessellations to forensics, Summer Academy lessons shape St. Louis youth for future success

UMSL Bridge Program participants Mary Hagedorn, Kadar Young and Keren Clinton are among the more than 200 local high school students taking advantage of this year’s Summer Academy.

Senior

Felesha Clarke first recipient of the Dr. Donald Suggs Scholarship at UMSL

Felesha Clarke, the first recipient of the Dr. Donald Suggs Scholarship at UMSL, is beginning her freshman year and plans to study engineering in the Joint Engineering Program.

Express Scripts commits $2.5 million to UMSL’s precollegiate Bridge Program

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 partners with UMSL to enhance Opportunity Scholars, Bridge programs

Ameren Corporation Chairman, President and CEO Warner Baxter announced the partnership as part of the company’s $2.5 million multifaceted initiative.

Bridge Program commends Saturday Academy participants

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.

UMSL Bridge Program honored for impact on St. Louis Community

When FOCUS St. Louis considers the question of which organizations and individuals are making a difference in the region, UMSL is among the answers.

Eye on UMSL: Summer Academy

UMSL alumnus Terrence L. Freeman, a professor of mechanical engineering at St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley, addresses Bridge student.

UMSL student says Bridge Program helped in ‘so many ways’

“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.”

UMSL’s Bridge Program graduating another class of scholars

Bridge remains a highly successful program with 100 percent of participating seniors enrolling in post-secondary institutions.

Bridge Program receives national award from College Board

“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.”

UMSL bridges gap between high school and college for some Hazelwood School District students

Bridge program reaches out to underserved students throughout the St. Louis area, helping them gain college, professional skills.