The Cuyahoga Community College Bridges to Success in the Sciences Program (BSSP) is seeking applications for its 2009-2010 student cohort. We are looking for highly motivated students majoring in biology, chemistry, or psychology. The mission of our program, funded by the National Institutes of Health Division of Minority Opportunities in Research, is to encourage underrepresented students to pursue degrees in science and to provide support and mentorship to students as they plan to transfer, and complete, their science education at a 4-year institution.
What benefits does the Bridges Program offer?
1. Bridges students receive paid scientific research opportunities. They are mentored by a biology, chemistry, or psychology researcher at a collaborating institution such as Baldwin Wallace College, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, John Carroll University, The University of Akron, and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Students spend 8-10 hours per week in a research assistantship where they develop research skills and learn various laboratory techniques, basic research protocols, the scientific method, and data collection, analysis, and presentation skills. This unique and valuable opportunity allows our Bridges students to present their research at local and national research conferences and even to publish their results in scientific journals.
2. Bridges students receive personal academic mentorship from Tri-C biology, chemistry, and psychology faculty to help them succeed in the sciences. Students attend monthly seminars with the Tri-C Bridges mentors and speakers from the community. We assist students with academic support and tutoring, transfer application assistance, and special workshops to provide our students with the tools necessary to help them achieve their goals.
3 . Bridges students attend and present at local and national scientific conferences, such as Ohio Academy of Sciences and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students.
4. Bridges students achieve academic success. Compared to non-Bridges minority students, they are significantly more likely to earn higher GPAs, attempt and earn more credit hours, transfer to a university, and earn a 4 year degree.
Who is eligible to apply? (Eligible applicants will meet all criteria)
1. U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents who have earned a GED or high school diploma.
2 . Tri-C students enrolled full-time (at least 12 hours) having completed no more than 30 credit hours* and having not petitioned for graduation or earned a degree. *Updated 11/20/08: Developmental courses (courses numbered 0850-0990) are not included in the credit hour calculation.
3 . Tri-C students intending to major in biology, chemistry, or psychology and having completed or currently enrolled in biology, chemistry, or psychology courses. Eligible applicants will have a minimum overall GPA of 2.8 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major (biology, chemistry, or psychology).
4. Minority students underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences as defined by the National Institutes of Health, including: African American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, U.S. Pacific Islander, Hispanic American (Spanish culture including Cuban, Mexican, Mexican American, and Puerto Rican), or Rural Appalachian (Majority of schooling spent in Appalachia as designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (http://www.arc.gov)
How can students find out more?
Download our brochure and application information to learn more about the Bridges program .
Bridges Program Brochure.pdf
09-10 Bridges Information and Application Instructions.pdf
Contact: Mikki Matzelle, Bridges Program Coordinator Mikki.Matzelle@tri-c.edu 216-987-5621