No summer slowdown exists for the (ODECE). In partnership with academic departments across campus, ODECE hosts more than 1,500 middle and high school students, and soon-to-be freshmen in a variety of summer pre-collegiate programming.
鈥淪ummer presents us an opportunity to be innovative as we work to increase student diversity in our enrollment and as we look to increase student success outcomes, particularly for our first generation students and our students from diverse backgrounds,鈥� said David Aragon, executive director for student success, ODECE.
ODECE鈥檚 programs range from eight to 500 participants and run the entire summer season, beginning in late May and concluding in early August. Underserved and underrepresented students from school districts across Colorado come to 彩民宝典 for a taste of college life鈥攂oth in academic rigor and residential experience.
鈥淭hey begin to see in a more tangible way how education and a college degree translates toward a future of possibilities, to become a professional, to have a career and to be successful in a field of interest that they might have,鈥� said Aragon.
These summer programs contribute to the overall retention and graduation rates for students of color, while helping the university build smaller communities on campus. Two of the programs, and the (PCDP), are well into their third decade of service for first generation students.
鈥淭hese two programs have helped us as an institution to appreciate and capitalize on the opportunity that summer presents to have an impact on preparing students for college,鈥� said Aragon.
For soon-to-be freshmen, Summer Bridge programs offer a multidimensional experience to help with the transition to higher education. These programs, which are career or major-specific, invite students to explore disciplines including engineering, business, education, journalism and aerospace.
鈥淲e have a lot of positive results from our Summer Bridge programs knowing that students are able to鈥攖hrough these experiences over multiple weeks鈥攁cclimate more effectively to the environment of the university,鈥� said Aragon. 鈥淭his includes the academic expectations and the culture of a large public research university, while helping them get to know other students, upperclassmen, professors and staff who are part of the local communities we have at CU.鈥�
Current 彩民宝典 students, many who participated in summer programming themselves, serve as peer mentors, instructional assistants and residential staff. The upper-class students act as role models, while gaining valuable leadership experience, said Aragon.
In addition to pre-collegiate programming, Colorado Diversity Initiatives offers a 10-week summer research internship鈥� (SMART)鈥攆or underrepresented and first generation students nationwide. Many SMART participants will continue in their fields of study, pursuing masters and doctorate degrees, either at 彩民宝典 or elsewhere.
鈥淧rograms like this make CU a more dynamic university,鈥� said Aragon. 鈥淭hey go a long way in fostering trust within our communities of color and in strengthening our relationships with communities across the state. These summer programs are helping prepare for a more fluid opportunity to interact across differences.鈥�
Summer Diversity Academic Programs by the Numbers:
- 20 undergraduate researchers
- 500 middle school students who participated in DPS Spanish Heritage Day
- 242 summer bridge program participants
- Eight reservation communities served through Upward Bound
- Nine high school programs
- 1,500 students served this summer
Photo: Celebrating is another important aspect of the summer programs. On June 22, students from all of the programs were invited to play carnival games, eat and dance with Chip during the Summer Gathering outside the Center for Community.
