Collegiate Programs

Summer Bridge is a six-week residential program preparing students academically for their first year in college, community building experiences, volunteering, industry networking, introduction to campus resources, and meeting peers. 

Program Objectives

• Assist students in developing critical thinking skills for self-assessment in identifying their strengths and needed areas of improvement as related to their academic and professional development.
• Build a community of learners with the goal of academic excellence by preparing students for the expectations and requirements of the engineering curriculum.
• Facilitate student acclimation to college life for a successful transition from high school to college.
• Introducing students to prospective co-op employers through annual field trips such as: Turner Construction, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, AtriCure, and many more! 
• After completion of the program, students are placed into a learning community for their first year, and have an opportunity to receive additional scholarships! 

Program Qualifications

To qualify for consideration, incoming freshman must: 

• Be a graduating high school senior or have not been previously enrolled post-high school as a student at a college/university
• Seek admission to a baccalaureate degree program in the College of Engineering and Applied Science
• Must be a graduate from a high school in the United States
• No restrictions apply for high schools. Public, private, charter, or homeschool students are eligible

Application and Invitation

• To be considered for the program, students must have a complete Common Application by November 1 to UC.
• To apply for the Summer Bridge Program
  • There is a separate application. Students receive the application by email to the email address they used to apply to the university.
  • Students must complete the summer bridge application to be considered for this program. The application for the Summer Bridge program closes December 1. 
  • Complete Applications are reviewed by a committee, and students are notified for their next steps. 

Important Information

• Apply to the University by November 1 through the Common Application 
• Summer Bridge Application
• The Summer Bridge Application closes December 1 
• Students are notified by the end of January for their interview, if they qualify 
• Students are notified of their admittance into the program by March 
• The total cost to participate in this program is $800 (includes: housing, meals, campus recreation pass, industry visits, field trips)

Please contact Andi Talbott with any questions.  

The Emerging Engineers Leadership Program is a 4-month program within PDCI during the summer months. Students participating in this program receive rigorous leadership training. 

Program Outcomes

• Increase student success through personal, emotional, and intellectual development opportunities
• Cultivate sense of community and connectedness
• Serve as a Teaching Assistant during the Summer Bridge program
• Be an academic expert within a course
• Increase student leadership and professional development

Leader Responsibilities

• Serve as a Summer Bridge Peer Mentor
• Facilitate small group discussions
• Provide mentorship to incoming first-year students

Students are encouraged to join the Emerging Engineers Learning Community. Upon The E2 Learning Community supports engineering students throughout their college journey by providing academic support, professional development, mentorship, and connections with industry. Any CEAS student is eligible to join the Learning Community! 

First Year: Students who complete the Summer Bridge Program are automatically enrolled in the Learning Community, where they take courses together, attend weekly seminars and workshops, connect with industry partners, and receive success coaching and peer support. 

2nd–5th Year: Students continue developing academically, personally, and professionally through workshops, industry mentorship, faculty connections, success coaching, co-op preparation, and scholarship opportunities. 

Program Outcomes:

• Strengthen academic success, personal growth, and long-term professional development. 
• Build strong support networks through peers, faculty, staff, mentors, and industry partners. 
• Prepare students for co-op and career opportunities through professional development, industry exposure, and mentorship. 
• 94% of participating students are retained at the college into their second year.

Student Success Coaching

Student Success Coaching supports all students within CEAS interested in developing and achieving goals towards your own version of success while in CEAS! Success Coaching provides support services in one place. 

Program Objectives:

• Meet one-on-one with your Personal success coach on a monthly basis to set and achieve goals, receive support while navigating college, addressing challenges, and celebrate successes! 
• Be an Emerging Engineer! 
• Gain necessary skills for professional and personal growth
• Early Access to Industry Partners 
• Access to additional scholarships 

Request a Coach Today! 

1. Join our Emerging Engineers Program – meet with your advisor! 
2. Fill out the Success Coaching Interest Form & we will be in contact with you within 24-48 hours (https://ucincinnati.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0VXP59mw1b1ID1I) 

Support: 

• Industry Partners
  • Turner Construction
  • AtriCure
  • Kaleidoscope
  • Cincinnati Children's
  • GE
• Professional Development 
  • PDCI offers professional development workshops and activities that promote learning, personal growth, and career development for faculty, staff, and students. Check out our Get Involved UC page to see upcoming events.
• Scholarship Opportunities 
  • Southwest Ohio Scholars Program (SOSP)
    • NSF-funded S-STEM program supporting Computer Science students through scholarships, mentoring, and UC's co-op program. 
    • Helps students succeed academically, graduate, and prepare for careers in technology.
    • Builds a supportive community while increasing the number of skilled computer science professionals in Ohio.
  • Choose Ohio First (COF)    
    • State of Ohio scholarship program supporting eligible STEMM students with scholarships, mentoring, and professional development. 
    • Scholars participate in coaching, workshops, community engagement, reflective activities, and ePortfolio development. 
    • Candidates are selected through the admissions process (no separate application), with awards based on funding and eligible majors.

Services

• Bearcat Pantry To Go Bag    
  • Stop by Suite 805 Mantei to pick up a To-Go Bag!
  • All you need to do:
    • Show your Bearcat Card 
    • Complete a short questionnaire
  • To Go Bags are for Faculty, Staff, and Students!
• Conference Supplemental Funding
  • TBD 
• Campus Partnerships
  • TBD

Campus Resources 

CEAS Embedded CAPS Counselor

Bearcat Pantry Food Services

Learning Commons

MASS Center

Academic Writing Center

Bearcat Promise Career Studio

Career Tools

Career Planning Guide

Important Student Tools