Building Foundations for Graduate Success: The DIRECT Program’s Summer Bridge Initiative for Graduate Students

Authors

Melissa King, University of Mississippi
Marie Barnard, University of Mississippi
Shawnboda Mead, University of Mississippi
Soumyajit Majumdar, University of Mississippi

Files

Description

The DIRECT (Driving Interdisciplinary Research Expertise through Community Building and Training) Program's first cohort of graduate students successfully completed a three-week summer bridge program designed to enhance their academic preparedness, facilitate their transition into graduate-level study and demystify the “hidden curriculum” of academia. Held prior to the start of their first fall semester, the program aimed to enhance students’ preparedness for graduate studies, foster a sense of community, and equip students with critical skills and knowledge of campus resources necessary for academic success. An evaluation of the program's impact revealed gains in students' understanding of graduate school expectations, their awareness of available resources, and their ability to navigate mentor-mentee relationships. Key outcomes included improved readiness for graduate coursework, strengthened peer networks, and positive feedback regarding the program's role in helping students build meaningful academic relationships and support systems. The curriculum featured various workshops including time management, research ethics, technical writing, stress management, and offered mentorship opportunities with faculty, senior graduate students, and campus leaders. The success of the bridge program indicates that the DIRECT Program's summer initiative can provide a valuable model for supporting graduate students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for a successful academic career, and equipping them with the tools to thrive in an academic environment.

Publication Date

2-25-2025

Relational Format

poster

Disciplines

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Recommended Citation

King, Melissa; Barnard, Marie; Mead, Shawnboda; and Majumdar, Soumyajit, "Building Foundations for Graduate Success: The DIRECT Program’s Summer Bridge Initiative for Graduate Students" (2025). Annual Poster Session 2024-2025. 10.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/pharm_annual_posters_2025/10

Accessibility Status

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