Summer Bridge builds success

On July 16, TRIO/Student Support Services celebrated the conclusion of the 2026 Summer Bridge program. During this four-week campus living experience, students earn early college credit in two classes and tackle academic workshops to smooth their transition to college. Built for driven, first-generation students, low-income students or students with disabilities, the program offers a tight-knit community and supportive guidance that lasts throughout their time at Augsburg. 

A commitment from Augsburg is one reason Summer Bridge has existed for over 20 years.

Kevin Cheatham ’07 MAL, director of TRIO/Student Support Services, and Xia Xiong-Vang ’05, assistant director, call the Summer Bridge program Augsburg’s best-kept secret. They said that while many colleges host federal TRIO programs, Augsburg uniquely integrates its TRIO/Student Support Services into the institution’s fabric. Peer TRIO programs across the country frequently praise the mere existence of Augsburg’s Summer Bridge program. Ultimately, extensive cross-departmental support and a strong financial commitment from Augsburg, along with additional funding from the Department of Education, allow it to thrive, making replication nearly impossible for other schools. 

“It was really scary coming to college,” said Ayriana Vue ’29, who participated in Summer Bridge in 2025 and returned this summer as a peer mentor. “I had never been on a campus before; I generally get lost easily; and I didn’t know what to expect. Everything felt so unknown after high school. But thanks to Summer Bridge, I felt more confident about coming to Augsburg. Being on campus in a smaller group and meeting other students helped me feel more comfortable when I started school in the fall. And I met two of my best friends at Summer Bridge.”

“I wasn’t the most outgoing person, so if it wasn’t for the Summer Bridge program, I wouldn’t have gotten to know as many people and resources,” Paw Htoo ’28, another peer mentor who was part of the 2024 Summer Bridge cohort, added. “It allowed me to explore—not just Augsburg, but the city and the community around it. We got early access to resources, and it opened my eyes to know and understand what is available to me as a student—like the Strommen Center and the Multicultural Life office. I may not have used the services right away, but I knew where to go when I needed them. It made being at Augsburg easier.”

The program introduces students to Augsburg and its resources while teaching them essential life skills, like riding the light rail and exploring the surrounding Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Above all, Summer Bridge builds confidence. It empowers students to envision their own college potential, challenging them to reflect on their personal motivations, advocate for themselves, and seek out help when needed. Within four weeks, they truly become Auggies. 

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Top Photo: Kevin Cheatham ’07 MAL, director of TRIO/Student Support Services