Following an intentional pause to review and reevaluate options for a summer program for incoming students, SummerStart will relaunch with a reimagined focus that further enhances the experience across admission, campus life and student success. Building upon the foundation set by University College over the last few years, the relaunched program, which is retaining the SummerStart name, will now be overseen by the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience’s Office of Retention and Student Success.
“SummerStart will offer new programmatic elements that engage a broad community of incoming students,” says Kal Srinivas, interim executive director for student success. “While we will be implementing new pieces to the program, one thing will remain consistent—the incredible collaboration among many University partners to provide our SummerStart students with an exclusive, unsurpassed summer experience that sets them up for success here on campus and beyond.”
Serving as a new student success program, SummerStart provides incoming students with an opportunity to start their college experience early, getting a head start on taking classes, building community with fellow SummerStart students, and connecting with faculty. The program will also provide students with opportunities to further connect to activities and offerings across campus that will enhance their experience, including the Barnes Center at The Arch, Student Activities and the four cultural centers. First-year students in the Higher Education Opportunity Program and Student Support Services program will continue to be supported through SummerStart.
In addition to new programming, SummerStart will also welcome Alison Fredericks as its new program manager. Fredericks brings firsthand experience of working with the SummerStart program in her current role as an academic advisor at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She has been part of the Syracuse University community for nearly 20 years, including as an undergraduate student, graduate student and staff member in the School of Education, College of Visual and Performing Arts and University College. Fredericks begins her new role on March 16.
“As a first-generation student, I remember how challenging the transition from high school to college can be. I am thrilled to collaborate with my colleagues across campus to enhance the SummerStart program experience for our incoming students. The skills and community they will gain over the summer will lay that solid foundation for them to build upon moving forward,” says Fredericks.
“Through her experiences as a student and a staff member, Alison has a deep understanding of the many opportunities and resources available to support students in achieving their academic, personal and professional goals. She will be a great partner to our SummerStart students and campus collaborators,” adds Srinivas.
Additional information about SummerStart 2021 is forthcoming. To connect with the SummerStart program, email summerstart@syr.edu
Original article by Shannon Andre published on Campus & Community news page, March 3, 2021.