Bridge to Success provides support for academic success at Kean University

By Wayne Dawes | Published March 27, 2023

In the Bridge to Success program, it doesn’t matter where you start, but matters where you finish. The program assists prospective Kean students who do not meet university admission requirements by providing advisement and workshops and providing counseling support for students.

Admission into the program is done by the undergraduate office of admission. Students who have not extensively met admission requirements due to placement tests or low grades in high school,  are admitted to the university through the Bridge to Success program formerly known as the Passport Program. 

Christina Reilly, student development specialist for the Bridge to Success Program since 2021, explained how special the program is for students.

“These students are placed with us upon admission so we get to watch them grow through their academic journeys,” Reilly said. “It is really special that we get to form these connections with our scholars. The mission of the Bridge to Success Program is to provide support for higher education and academic success to students matriculated at Kean University.”

While completing their undergraduate degree, students are required to meet with their advisor monthly to check their progress in the classroom, get advice, or schedule classes. Students also have the opportunity to attend workshops to improve their college skills and receive more time while taking tests.

Because of the growth of the Bridge to Success Program, the program extended from 2 years to 4 years, ensuring that students in the program will receive the help they need from when they enter to when they leave.

“Since the program has transitioned to a 4-year program, our retention has increased to 92%. It is our hope that graduation increases as well,” Reilly said. 

The Bridge to Successes honors recognition ceremony is to recognize the students in the Passport Program that have worked so hard to achieve their accomplishments. 

The main goal for the counselors within this program is to see their scholars graduate.

“Bridge to Success is here to support the scholars brought into the University through this program,” Reilly said. “We are an access point for these scholars and we want to see all of our scholars become graduates at Kean University.”

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