Summer Bridge Scholars engage in a rigorous and intensive eight-week program. In addition to their courses, scholars participate in programming related to professional development, career exploration, cultural enrichment, team-building, campus involvement, mentorship, academic skill-building and civic engagement.
Learn how to become a Summer Bridge Scholar
Through this experience, Summer Bridge Scholars are better prepared to enter college and also develop a sense of connectedness to the UMKC campus and the larger Kansas City community. Once scholars successfully complete the summer semester with a 2.0 GPA and 90% attendance rate in programming, they will transition to being fully admitted to UMKC in the fall 2025 semester!
As a Summer Bridge Scholar, your summer scholarship will cover tuition, meal plan, textbooks, assessments, excursions, parking pass, transportation, and residence life housing (if you choose to live on campus). Scholars that successfully complete the program will also receive a $500 scholarship for the fall 2025 semester.
The Summer Bridge Scholars program will offer both online and on-campus components. The entire eight week program will run from June 2, 2025 to July 25, 2025.
Scholars will have the unique opportunity to enroll in two eight-week summer courses that fulfill degree requirements, to give them a head start on their first year of coursework at UMKC. The Summer Bridge Scholars program coordinator will communicate these options with scholars. Each Summer Bridge Scholar will finish the summer session with at least four college credits.
Scholars will gain knowledge of diverse cultures, cross-cultural communication, the dynamics of privilege and oppression, and the uses of power between groups. They will develop and explore their own competence regarding the dimensions of difference, especially as it relates to others in their communities. Scholars will gain knowledge about notable historical and political figures in the Kansas City community. Finally, scholars will be challenged to examine their own perceptions about the history and influence of people of color in the Kansas City community.
Scholars will be introduced to the resources provided by UMKC Career Services. Scholars will learn professional networking skills, interview strategies and resume building through seminars and interactive activities. Scholars will also have the opportunity to participate in networking events over the summer and connect with an on-campus professional mentor.
Scholars will be placed into a smaller cohort with other scholars and be paired with a peer mentor, who will be a current UMKC student or recent graduate. Each week, scholars will engage in group team-building sessions as well as one-to-one mentoring sessions. Peer mentors will provide scholars with engaging workshops on topics such as balancing academic and social life, the importance of student involvement on campus, practicing self-care, communication skills, time management and organization, setting boundaries with family members, accessing community resources, and campus navigation.
For questions regarding the Summer Bridge Scholars program, visit our frequently asked questions page or email us at summerbridgescholars@umkc.edu.
