Summer Bridge program seeking African−American male applicants

Kennesaw State’s African−American Male Initiative task force is looking for a few good men. Applicants are being sought for a four−week Summer Bridge program set to begin June 3. Target participants are first generation college students attending KSU and high school juniors and seniors contemplating college.

Georgia (May 5, 2006) — Kennesaw State’s African−American Male Initiative task force is looking for a few good men. Applicants are being sought for a four−week Summer Bridge program set to begin June 3. Target participants are first generation college students attending KSU and high school juniors and seniors contemplating college.

The program will help prepare 25 students for college‚ focusing on academic and social skills. Students will take three 50−minute‚ noncredit courses‚ participate in enrichment workshops and develop leadership skills during “Fun Friday” activities.

“The primary purpose of the Summer Bridge program is to establish a connection between high school minority student populations and higher education‚ where they have been historically underrepresented‚” Nicole Phillips‚ the program’s administrator and assistant director for Minority Student Retention Services‚ said.

“We especially want students to consider what college life is about and what to expect from it. In addition‚ we believe that the establishment of expectations will at least serve as a means to stimulate their thoughts about their future goals and aspirations‚ and the role that higher education plays in providing students access to realizing their dreams.”

The Summer Bridge program is part of the African−American Male Initiative‚ funded by a $30‚000 matching grant from the University System of Georgia which seeks boost the college enrollment‚ retention and graduation rates of African−American males.

Applications for the program will be accepted until all spots have been filled. To download an application‚ go to www.kennesaw.edu/stu_dev/msrs/summerbridge.shtml or for more information‚ call 770−423−6443.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.