A Qualitative Study of a Summer Bridge Program's Contribution to the Persistence of Underrepresented Students of Color at a Selective, Predominately White Institution

Authors

Patrick Velasquez Ph.D., Director, Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services (OASIS), University of California, San Diego

Date of this Version

November 2002

Abstract

This proposed presentation will describe a qualitative study of the experiences of ten underrepresented students (African Americans, Chicanos, and Filipinos) of color who attend a public, selective, predominately white, research institution: the University of California, San Diego. More specifically, it will examine the effects of those students' participation in a summer bridge program on their "ease of transition" (Hurtado and Carter, 1997) and their academic and social integration during their freshmen year (Tinto, 1993). In addition, the study provides a context for assessing the students' experiences by also examining their perceptions of the campus climate (Hurtado et al., 1999) at their institution and their subsequent "sense of belonging" (Hurtado and Carter, 1997).