News and Releases

News Releases

NVCC’s Hosts Upward Bound Students for Summer Bridge Program

July 11, 2019

Thanks to four federal Department of Education Upward Bound grants, NVCC is hosting 60 students from Crosby, Kennedy, and Wilby High Schools in a Summer Bridge Program that runs from June 24-Aug 2. The program provides first generation, low-income students exposure to engaging, project-based learning in a collegiate environment with a focus on teaching students the skills to become better learners. With three academies running during the six-week program, 9^th and 10^th graders are participating in an academy taking courses in Math, STEM, English and a Foreign Language. In the English class, students are reading works by author Angie Thomas such as novel On the Come Up and discussing the work in a book club-inspired format. The math course they are taking focuses on connecting math problems to real world scenarios. STEM classes focus on hands-on experimental learning and foreign language includes forays into learning about different cultures, countries, and food in addition to teaching conversational-level Spanish. The Upward Bound 11th grade academy students are taking either Public Speaking or Introduction to Nutrition for college credit along with an SAT prep class. A summer academy for recent high school graduates features Developmental English, a rigorous developmental math course and students may also take First Year Seminar.

In addition to taking courses, students enrolled in the academies have Fridays earmarked to participate in a variety of other enriching activities such as art-making studios, college visits, and off-site team-and-leadership building events.

“We are so proud of our Upward Bound students and commend them for entrusting us with their time during the summer. Our goal is to inspire a passion for learning in all of our students. Our instructors pride themselves on connecting students with project-based content that sparks curiosity and engages in students in critical thinking. We want our students leaving the summer program with a thirst for knowledge and ready to tackle their fall courses,” said Bridge to College Division Director David Celotto.

President De Filippis addressed the students during their first day on campus, extending a warm welcome and encouraging them to learn about the many outstanding programs at the college and advising them to get to know NVCC’s facilities and gardens. She reminded them how wonderful it is to be young and open to a world of possibilities. “Choose to follow your dreams,” President De Filippis urged the students, “because it is only when we dare to dream that we become our better selves.”