Summer Bridge builds confidence, community for SC State freshmen
The pilot project helps 25 new students build connections and momentum toward boosting SC State’s retention and graduation successes.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — For Chase Prioleau, enrolling in South Carolina State University’s Summer Bridge Program wasn’t just about getting a head start on college. It was about making an impact — on campus, in his family and, someday, in the world of forensic science.
“I want to come here and make a name for myself and leave with my name being known,” said Prioleau, a criminal justice major from Charleston, South Carolina. “It gave me a better opportunity.”
Prioleau is one of 25 incoming first-year students who joined SC State’s inaugural Summer Bridge Program — an immersive four-week experience designed to boost academic confidence, build community and connect students to campus life before the fall semester even begins. Supported by the National Institute for Student Success, the program opened with in-person classes and mentoring starting in late June. It continues with virtual enrichment and tutoring through July.
Students like Prioleau are already seeing the difference.
“I chose to be a part of it because, number one, I wanted to get a feeling on how college life is,” he said. “And they were offering classes that I could already pass through instead of taking it my freshman year.”
That included college-level instruction from SC State faculty in English and history — fast-paced coursework that introduced students to academic expectations in higher education.
“It’s more fast-paced, and I just had to get in my head that in college classes, it’s a faster pace,” Prioleau said. “Deadlines are real.”
Choosing SC State and embracing legacy
Prioleau said choosing SC State was a natural decision. “My brother’s here also, so we get to be back in school again together, so I’m proud about that,” he said. “Also, it’s an HBCU, so I’m another Black man that’s going to succeed.”
His classmate Uaunna Williams, 18, from Newberry, South Carolina, signed up for the Summer Bridge for the same reason: preparation.
“I felt like this program would be a good experience for me to acknowledge my surroundings and be prepared for when I come into fall,” she said. “Making new friends, creating all these bonds, seeing that you can have a relationship with your teacher in a classroom. And having a lot more mentors to look up to.”
Williams plans to major in business management and already holds a cosmetology license. Her long game?
“Hopefully open up my own salon and manage other salons,” she said.
She said SC State stood out not only because it’s close to home, but because of the legacy and energy of HBCUs. “And also for the experience,” she said. “Because I heard there’s no experience like the HBCU experience.”
Building bonds beyond the classroom
Williams wasn’t alone in feeling a growing sense of connection. As the weeks went on, faculty and staff noticed a visible shift in how students were engaging — not just in class, but across campus. What began as quiet adjustment quickly gave way to confidence, collaboration and community.
Students began stepping outside their comfort zones — engaging in conversations, sharing laughter and swapping personal stories. A real sense of camaraderie started to take hold as they discovered shared interests, goals and experiences, especially in the residence halls.
“That sense of community came together fast — and it wasn’t just about academics anymore,” Clinton said. “They started feeling like they belonged here. They started feeling like Bulldogs.
“In the final days, we saw students exchanging phone numbers, forming group chats and making plans to stay in touch,” he said. “Those seemingly small gestures spoke volumes — they showed just how much this experience meant to them. A few even said they didn’t want to leave yet because they felt ready and excited to start college.”
That kind of support network is a key part of the Summer Bridge model. In addition to classroom instruction, the program pairs students with faculty and peer mentors, creating connections that continue through the fall. Nine faculty and peer mentors are supporting students in high-demand subjects such as English, math, biology, chemistry and accounting.
The program also helps students build relationships across campus. Throughout the summer, participants engage with key departments including Financial Aid, Counseling, Career Services, Global Engagement and the Center for Online and Distance Education.
Measuring success and planning for growth
The Summer Bridge Pilot Program is part of SC State’s broader strategy to improve student retention and graduation. By investing in early academic support and meaningful campus connections, the university aims to give students the tools they need not just to start college — but to finish strong.
To that end, the Division of Academic Affairs will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the program to assess its effectiveness in supporting students’ transition to college.
Dr. Frederick M.G. Evans, SC State provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the review will focus on key metrics such as first-semester GPA, retention rates, course completion, and participation in academic support services like tutoring and advising.
In addition to quantitative data, the university will gather student feedback through surveys, focus groups and instructor reflections to better understand the student experience and identify opportunities for improvement.
Academic Affairs will collaborate with the Office of Institutional Research to analyze results and produce a detailed impact report. Next steps include:
- Data collection – Compile academic and engagement data from pilot participants.
- Assessment and analysis – Compare outcomes to a matched cohort of non-participants.
- Feedback gathering – Conduct focus groups and satisfaction surveys.
- Reporting – Share findings with campus stakeholders and external partners.
- Program refinement – Use insights to adjust curriculum and support strategies.
- Expansion Planning – Prepare recommendations for broader implementation or a permanent model.
“Academic Affairs is committed to evidence-based decision-making and will use this evaluation to guide the future of the NISS program and its role in advancing student access, equity and success,” Evans said.
It also gives students — many of whom are first-generation college students — a sense of belonging at a public HBCU that prides itself on community.
With every lesson, mentor meeting and campus experience, Bridge students are preparing for success — starting now.