YSU;'s summer bridge program nearly doubles minority graduation rate

YOUNGSTOWN

Dajeauna Adams, a Liberty High School graduate, was nervous about starting college next month at Youngstown State University – until this week.

Adams, who will major in criminal justice, is one of 34 incoming minority YSU freshmen enrolled in Summer Bridge. It’s a weeklong program to prepare minority and multicultural students for some of the experiences they’ll encounter in college.

“I was nervous, but I’m not anymore,” Adams said, referring to the program.

YSU’s Summer Bridge stretches back to the 1980s.

“It’s been shown that minority students have the most difficulty navigating their way through college,” said Michael Beverly, the program coordinator.

They may be the first in their families to attend college, so no one at home can help. Financial issues may throw up hurdles, too.

“We’re trying to give them a head start,” Beverly said.

YSU’s graduation rate for minorities is about 18 percent. For those who participated in Summer Bridge, that number increases to 34 percent, according to information from the university’s Center for Student Progress.

Read more about the program in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.