MSOE incoming freshmen got a headstart on their studies with the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) National Virtual Bridge program. The comprehensive, five-week summer bridge program is designed to address one of engineering education’s most persistent challenges: first-year college retention.

MSOE’s participants included Christopher López, biomedical engineering major; José Herrera, electrical engineering major; Miguel Sosa, computer science major; and Zenaida Estrada, architectural engineering major. The scholars were selected based on NACME criteria for incoming students who are majoring in engineering or computer science.

The National Virtual Bridge program’s core curriculum gives students early exposure to subjects critical to success in first-year engineering and computer science coursework. During the five-week program, students complete non-credit coursework in calculus, Python and physics, along with an engineering design course featuring MATLAB.

“The NACME Virtual Bridge program prepared me for how college level classes were going to look like and gave me an insight on how big of a gap there is from transitioning from high school to college,” said López. “My favorite part from the program was making friends with people in the same major as me.”

Although it is a virtual program, MSOE invited the scholars to campus once a week throughout the program. “The goal is for scholars to create community among themselves, so they have a group of friends once the fall semester starts,” explained Miguel Rodríguez, campus inclusion outreach coordinator at MSOE. “By doing this, we proactively have a support system implemented and students feel more confident for the start of the fall semester.”

The bridge program provides critical preparatory coursework to help students strengthen their academic readiness, build confidence and successfully transition into engineering and computer science studies. The NACME partnership doesn’t stop after summer—these skillsets continue to strengthen throughout the academic year. “As the MSOE and NACME support system, I provide continuous check ins with the students,” said Rodríguez. “My goal is to assure students are doing well academically and to expose students to the various support systems such as tutoring, Counseling Services, the Kern Center and the Career Connections Center.”

NACME students also are enrolled in the RSC 1010 First-Year Seminar course, which is designed to support the retention and success of first-year MSOE students through culturally centered learning experiences and activities that enhance academic and social integration to MSOE. It is facilitated by Rodríguez and Edith Hernández, coordinator of campus inclusion cohort programs. The course creates community among a broader group of students who are also part of local partner scholarships and partner high schools.

“I am very proud of the NACME scholars,” said Rodríguez. “Students had the summer weeks to relax and enjoy their summer, yet this group of students decided to be part of the NACME summer bridge program. The academic preparation provided at MSOE will set scholars up for success and for a prosperous professional journey.”

NACME is responsible for over $5 million in scholarships awarded annually to students across the nation. NACME supports approximately 1,000 engineering and computer students throughout the country each year.