Dual Model Summer Bridge Programs: A New Consideration for Increasing Retention Rates

Dual Model Summer Bridge Programs: A New Consideration for Increasing Retention RatesAbstractResearch on engineering undergraduate retention shows that a few programmaticsolutions, such as the summer bridge programs that focus primarily onunderrepresented populations, can significantly improve college retention rates.Although summer bridge programs are a common solution to engineeringcolleges’ retention and diversity issues, more initiatives that enroll students of alldemographics are needed to combat high engineering student attrition rates.Therefore, the development and institutionalization of retention solutions that canoffer a larger population of undergraduate students a more effective solution is thenext evolution in contributing to increased engineering retention.The dual model summer bridge program includes a traditional summer bridgeprogram designed for underrepresented populations and a summer bridge programopen to all students. The programs run simultaneously during the summersemester and are both comprised of the same components; however, somedifferences do exist due to funding issues. The six-week programs are comprisedof supplemental instruction in chemistry and calculus, courses on thefundamentals of engineering design, AutoCAD, and Labview and a coursedesigned to foster student success. Additionally, both programs involve assignedpeer mentors to assist transitioning incoming students into the engineering studentrole throughout the students first year. Other support provided includes corporatepresentations, a final design competition and a poster presentation.This paper will discuss the dual model summer bridge program that is currentlyoffered to all entering engineering students at a large public land grant institutionlocated in the southeast. Additionally, quantitative results of the programs,including improved retention, which is the primary objective of the dual modelprograms, will be presented. Further, the less tangible benefits of the programssuch as involvement, independence, leadership and community will be discussed.