'A long legacy'

For more than 40 years, the Bridges Program has helped make a Miami education more accessible for students from diverse backgrounds

By Miami University

December 1^st, 2023

An engaging experience

Since 1981, the Bridges Program has made attaining a Miami University degree more accessible for students from diverse backgrounds. Still going strong more than 40 years later, the Bridges Program invites high school seniors from historically underserved populations, as well as students who have a commitment to promoting a deeper understanding of and appreciation for diversity, to engage with Miami students, faculty, and staff.

Participants in the Bridges Program speak with a representative from the Office of Residence Life.

Passing a milestone in 2023

This year's Bridges Program set a record for the number of applicants, with 784 high school students looking for a spot in one of the four sessions offered. This year's application count increased by more than 100 over the 2022 number.

Participants look at materials during a session of the Bridges Program at Miami University.

Students participate in a Bridges Program session.

Experiencing Miami

Participants in the Bridges Program stay overnight, eat in dining halls, sit in on academic modules, and generally get a sense of what college life at Miami is like.

The Bridges Program had a record number of applicants for 2023 who participated over the course of four sessions in the fall.

'Show up and show out'

Each year is a group effort to provide students with a unique experience. “To make this program happen, people show up and show out from all over campus,” said Ashley Lomax, director of diversity and outreach initiatives in Admission. “It really shows Miami’s dedication to diversity and bringing the best and brightest to campus.”

Students participate in an academic module as part of the Bridges Program.

Lomax estimated about 50% of Bridges participants enroll at Miami. “It’s definitely our highest yielding admission event,” Lomax said. Students who complete the program, apply to Miami, and enroll on the Oxford campus for fall 2024 are eligible to receive the Bridges Program scholarship.

Bridges Program students listen in during a session. The program has been part of Miami University for more than 40 years.

Nationally renowned

In 2021, the Bridges Program earned an Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Bringing students to campus

There were four sessions this fall, starting Oct. 22-23 and concluding Nov. 19-20. Each session typically hosts 150-200 students. One session this year ended up over capacity, with some students invited to attend a later date.

A student participates in an academic module as part of the Bridges Program.

Three of the sessions provided transportation from different geographic regions in Ohio, with the fourth featuring out-of-state students.

Coming together

Along with members of the university's faculty and staff, several Miami students also help with the program.

About 16 students are hired each year, and tour guides and representatives from student clubs and organizations also help with the program.

Participants in Miami University's Bridges Program interact during an academic module.

“A long legacy”

The Bridges Program continues to be a popular option for prospective students. “The feedback has been extremely positive,” Lomax said. “It has a long legacy at Miami.”