Bridge Program

Southern Oregon University’s Bridge Program is a first-year experience that helps promising students transition to college successfully by supporting their social, emotional, and academic strengths. The program is open to graduating Oregon high school students and welcomes underrepresented students.

The Bridge Program provides the following benefits, at no additional cost to participating students:

• Bridge Orientation, a four-day, residential experience that supports students’ transition to college life
• Increased financial support during the first year
• Enhanced academic advising, career counseling, and access to on-campus jobs
• Campus connections to key resources, faculty, and services
• Academic workshops in study skills, time management, and student success
• Supportive year-long peer mentoring
• Leadership development and social networking opportunities
• Access to cultural events, civic engagement projects, and social activities
• Up to seven tuition-free credits through first-year Bridge courses

Students nominated and accepted into the Bridge Program will begin their transition to Southern Oregon University during Bridge Orientation in late September. Bridge Orientation is a four-day residential experience that begins just prior to the start of the Fall Term; it includes on-campus housing and meals and is provided free of charge to Bridge students.

Bridge Orientation includes academic workshops, financial aid workshops, academic advising, community engagement activities, and other fun activities that provide students for college success. Bridge Seminar courses, mentoring, and activities throughout the year build on this initial orientation, connecting students to people, program, resources, and opportunities that develop their strengths and contribute to their academic success, community engagement, and leadership skills.

To inquire more about the Bridge Program, contact our coordinator directly at bridge@sou.edu.

The SOU Bridge Program is only available to students graduating from an Oregon high school. Special consideration will be given to students who bring equity strengths to our campus, including students from low-income families, students representing groups that have been historically underrepresented at colleges and universities, students who will be the first in their family to graduate from college, and students who have overcome extraordinary challenges.

TO NOMINATE A STUDENT
Please click the button below and complete the form to nominate a student for the SOU Bridge Program. We will contact the student with more information about the program; students who are a good match will be encouraged to apply.

TO NOMINATE YOURSELF (APPLY)
To express interest in the SOU Bridge Program, click the button below to complete the form with your information. We will contact you to let you know if you have been selected to participate in the program. Please note: you must also complete the application for admission to SOU.