Words from Summer Bridge Scholars

Virtual Bridge Alums


Summer Bridge allowed me to get an understanding of Berkeley and the academic rigor of Berkeley
Bridge transformed my journey by giving me unique opportunities to meet strong minded, and strong
Darwin Perez De Pablo, a 1st year Intended Business major, shares, 'Bridge eased my transition from a high school student to a resourceful first year college student in just one summer.'
Jaylin Kent, a 1st-year Molecular & Cell Biology major, shares, "Summer Bridge prepared me for rigorous classes and provided support from Grad Student Instructors, helping me understand that my struggles were normal."
Jonathan Mantilla-Florentino, a first year psychology major, shares the "being part of Summer Bridge during a pandemic motivated me to continue my education after high school and beyond."
Michaela Shaw, a first year African American Studies and Art Practice major, shares that "Bridge afforded me the privilege of a smooth transition into my first semester at Cal, along with skills and coping mechanisms I did not have before."
Nina Abers, a first year Integrative Biology major, shares that, "The Bridge community supported me through this process, and encouraged me to see my challenges as mobilizing instead of paralyzing."
Tania Salceda, a 1st year Political Science and Chicanx Studies major, shares that, "Summer Bridge transformed my academic journey. I learned how to approach office hours with my professors and how to balance my academics with my personal life."
Summer Bridge offered me the chance to navigate the twists and turns of entering college while also
Being a first generation student with limited resources in high school, I realized how many opportun
Erica Jean, a 1st-year Cognitive Science major, shares, "Summer Bridge helped me develop time management skills and introduced me to the Student Learning Center, boosting my confidence for fall."
Jennifer Hernandez, a first year architecture major, shares that Summer Bridge was a smooth transition from high school to Cal.
Kristen Chan, a first year, Economics and Data Science major, shares that, "Coming out of Bridge, I have connections with my fellow bridgees, knowledge that other freshmen don't start with, and work habits that I practice in my classes today."
Michelle Santiago-Nunez shares that Bridge exposed them to resources and helped them find community.
Norma Garcia Galvan, a 1st year Pre-Haas major, shares that, "I connected with campus resources, including EOP, Financial Aid, and mental health support, all of which played an integral role in my ability to advocate for myself during my first semester."
Zoe Taylor-Ploog, first year Public Health major, shares that, "Despite being remote, I felt like Summer Bridge gave me a community. I was also able to fulfill requirements early which allowed me to explore more classes at Cal!"
Participating in Summer Bridge allowed me to develop the study habits of a successful student
Summer Bridge courses were exciting, rigorous, and filled with interaction with other students.
Ife Oluwa Ibitokun, a 1st-year Microbiology major, shares, "I am very grateful for Summer Bridge and cannot wait to give back as an ambassador supporting the class of 2025!"
Jenny Mendez, a 1st-year Mathematics major, shares, 'Being a first-generation, historically underrepresented student, I felt I did not belong at a prestigious university. Summer Bridge allowed me to meet and make new friends, and create a support system.'
Luis Ricardo Diaz, a 1st-year Computer Science student, shares, 'The people you meet, the experiences you get to share, and the material that you learn make Summer Bridge an experience I recommend to every new incoming student.'
Natalia Villalobos, a 1st-year Genetics & Plant Biology and Business Admin Major, shares, "I grew tremendously and cultivated skills that have helped me succeed. It helped me get better acquainted with resources...which we crucial for my success."
Talaya Francois, a 1st year African American Studies major, shares, 'Summer Bridge did 3 amazing things for me; it prepared me for the academic rigor I would face for my academic career here at Berkeley.'

In-Person Bridge Alums


Summer Bridge made a second home for me at Cal. Being a Bridgie allowed me
Chris Nguyen, a 2nd year PoliSci major, shares, "Taking college level classes in a smaller academic setting was really useful for helping me prepare for the academic rigor expected in the Fall."
Jacqueline Salquera, a 2nd Year Intended Public Health major, shares, 'Bridge helped me transition from high school to college and adjust to the academic rigor of Cal, which prepared me for my fall classes.'
Kamryn Harrold, a 3rd-year Business and Media Studies major, shares, "Bridge helped me find community and resources on campus, boosting my confidence that I belonged at Cal."
Matthew Villa, a 2nd-year Political Science & Sociology student, shares, 'through Summer Bridge, I was exposed to the academic rigor of University coursework and built community before beginning my first semester.'
Rogelio Aguilera, a 3rd year Public Health and MCB major, shares, 'Summer Bridge set the tone for my academic journey and prepared me for the rest of my years at Cal. I sought academic support and learned to be resilient and ask for help.'
Bridge helped me get out of my comfort zone and develop the confidence for success at Cal. It gave
Cooper Collier, a 3rd Year Computer Science major, shares, 'I learned how to navigate the services provided on campus and gained a head-start in my academics.'
Jocelyn Medina, a 3rd Year Molecular Cell Biology: Neurobiology major, shares, 'Summer Bridge gave me the opportunity to begin Cal prepared academically, mentally, and socially. I took classes that equipped me with essential skills.'
Karen Tahuite, a 2nd-year Molecular and Cell Biology major, shares, "Summer Bridge supported my academic and social confidence, offering a welcoming environment and helping me feel I belong at Cal."
Monse Rodriguez, a 3rd Year Media Studies student, shares, "Summer Bridge helped me prepare for the advanced classes here at Cal. It was definitely a challenge but I got the opportunity to 'get a taste' of Berkeley."
Sandra Barcenas, a 2nd year Political Science and Legal Studies major, shares, 'Summer Bridge paved a pathway that helped me navigate my major interests and introduced me to resources Cal offers for first-generation students like me.'
Summer Bridge introduced me to the academic rigor and taught me study habits to be successful at Cal
Looking back on my Summer Bridge experience, I realize how different my journey would have been had
Savannah Jolie Whitehead, a 2nd year Political Economy major, shares, 'The summer bridge program taught me a myriad of valuable skills. I learned time management, networking, and communication skills on a professional level.'
Kassidy Rodriguez, a 3rd Year Psychology & Social Welfare student, shares, "The Summer Bridge Program gave me a better understanding of what the UC Berkeley experience would be and allowed me to gain familiarity with the campus and resources."
Nataly Romero-Robledo, a 4th year Psychology major, shares, 'Summer Bridge set the foundation for me to navigate Cal confidently and with a sense of belonging. It provided me the opportunity to connect with my inner self and explore the university.'
Veronica Luna, a 4th year Political Science and Spanish major, shares, "Bridge helped me get a head-start in fulfilling my requirements and it also helped me navigate Cal."
Bridge welcomed me into an environment where the professors were rigorous but had passion for teach
Denise Aparicio, a 2nd Year Society & Environment major, shares, 'Bridge made the transition from a small charter school in LA to a huge public institution in the Bay area seem less daunting.'
Jose Garcia, a 4th-year Ethnic Studies Major and Chicano Studies minor, shares, "Being a first-generation latino, I was overwhelmed and scared of Cal. Bridge allowed me to conquer my fears [and] gave me the tools and skills that I needed to succeed."
Katarina Stankovic, a 2nd Year Political Science student, shares, "Summer Bridge gave me the opportunity to explore my interests, meet peers, and face necessary challenges that shaped me into the Cal student I am today."
Precious Onwuka, a Junior in Social Welfare and Pre-Nursing, shares, 'Summer Bridge was pivotal in transforming my perspective and dismantling the imposter syndrome. Bridge equipped me with academic resources and helped build strong relationships.'