As the demand for higher education evolves, universities are reassessing how they support students academically, professionally, and personally. The call is to provide programming that centers holistic approaches and equitable practices and prepares new graduate and professional students to navigate the pathway through their degrees and beyond into their post-graduate career.
Enter the Graduate College's Building Resilient and Inclusive Discoveries to Graduate Education (BRIDGE) program, which rolled out programming to support their first full cohort prior to the fall semester's start. The program, funded by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Sloan Centers for Systemic Change program, is part of a larger institutional initiative to diversify STEM education at 51ԹϺ.
“At the heart of the BRIDGE program is a commitment to student success,” said Alyssa Crittenden, vice provost for graduate education, dean of the Graduate College, and a lead principal investigator (PI) on the Sloan grant. “This program recognizes that persistence is not just about academic ability — it’s also about feeling supported, finding your community, and learning how to advocate for yourself in the new terrain of graduate school.”
A New Era of Graduate Support
Over 40 newly matriculated STEM students from the College of Sciences, the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, School of Public Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts, and interdisciplinary programs attended a week of programming aimed at helping them navigate their programs more effectively, build essential professional skills, and foster community.
Workshops introduced students to valuable academic and wellness resources, like Lied Library and Student Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). They participated in discussions and info sessions on topics related to financial literacy, financing graduate education, overcoming imposter syndrome, and social networking.
One of the attendees, international Ph.D. student Asal Mansourimarand, said she appreciated being able to get to know know the campus better and speak with fellow students prior to the start of her classes.
“It is as if the BRIDGE program could read our minds and planned the workshops for us to answer all of the questions we had," said Mansourimarand, who will be studying mechanical engineering.
Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum
The BRIDGE program is particularly impactful for students who are less familiar with the expectations of post-baccalaureate degree programs.
“Language and expectations differ between undergrad and grad levels,” said Tracy Johnson, the director of Retention, Progression, and Completion (RPC) at the Graduate College — and the person who initially introduced and designed the programming. “I saw the need to help students navigate the ‘hidden curriculum,' by addressing challenges like academic pressure, financial literacy, and social integration, ultimately providing targeted resources and support for a smoother transition to graduate school.”
Johnson created BRIDGE to fill the gap in specialized support for graduate students. Those who are first-generation college students or who come from communities typically underserved in higher education may face additional barriers in graduate school such as financial constraints, limited access to networks, and a lack of role models in their chosen field. The program is designed with these challenges in mind, offering targeted support that empowers all students to succeed.
A Model for the Future of Higher Ed
As higher education continues to evolve, programs like BRIDGE will become increasingly important. They represent a shift away from the traditional model of graduate education, which often focuses solely on academic achievement, toward a more holistic model of support and success. As other institutions look to enhance their support for graduate students, the BRIDGE program offers a powerful blueprint for success, and it has already gained national attention. The program, which was piloted last year, was covered in a news story published by the .
The program is only beginning — and the team is already preparing to welcome an even larger cohort next year. “It was a privilege to help organize the second annual BRIDGE event for STEM students," said Huston Green, a member of the Graduate College staff and the person in charge of organizing and executing the week-long program. “BRIDGE aims to prepare students for the challenges of graduate school by providing them with the skills, resources, and support they need to succeed. We received valuable feedback from participants, which we will use to enhance and refine the program moving forward.”
In a time when the value of higher education is being redefined, the BRIDGE program stands out. It is more than just an orientation week — it is a commitment to graduate and professional student success, a response to the call for change in higher education, and a model for the future of student support in graduate education.
