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Lamar University was awarded two three-year grants to be administered by STARS in order to implement the Summer Bridge and Summer Intensive Programs, which are designed to assist students with improving learning and study skills as well as reading and writing proficiency. The Summer Bridge Program targets incoming freshmen with low THEA scores in reading and writing, while the Intensive Program targets college students who have struggled in ENGL 1301 or who have recently completed a developmental writing course.

This summer, a total of 32 students completed the Summer Bridge Program and were enrolled in a Learning and Study Skills course, PSYC 2270. As a result of the program, 83% of the students successfully completed the course and gained full admission to the university for Fall 2009. Likewise, 93.75% of the students reported that they “were aware of academic support services that would help them to be more successful in college,” and 81.2% of the students reported that they “feel more confident about doing college level work.”

The Summer Intensive Program had 26 students complete its program. Of these students, 69% successfully completed ENGL 1301 and planned to move on to ENGL 1302 during the Fall 2009 semester. As a result of the program, 73.7% of the Intensive students stated they “felt more motivated to complete their educational goals.” In addition, 80.3% reported they “benefited from counseling, academic, career, and personal services from their STARS advisor.”

STARS staff is very satisfied with these outcomes and hopes to improve them, as well as increase student participation over the next two years. Students also see the benefit of these grant programs as seen in the following testimony:

“Being a part of the Summer Bridge Program taught me how to be more organized and prepared. It also taught me how to manage my time more wisely. The Summer Bridge Program helped me to be more prepared for college. It gave me a preview of a typical college student’s life. The reading and writing seminar refreshed my memory on how to comprehend and also how to use appropriate grammar. Advisors, tutors, and interns would sit down and listen to whatever a student had to say. They will do everything it takes in order for you to be well prepared and ready for college life.” - Incoming Freshman, Summer Bridge Program