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Galloway, N.J. – Endry Espinoza-Abreu didn’t mind starting her Stockton studies two weeks early this semester.

Part of the first cohort of a new program designed to provide first-year students with stronger foundational math skills, Espinoza-Abreu said it was the perfect first step of her collegiate journey, helping her gain confidence both personally and academically.

“I definitely feel more confident in talking to other people first instead of waiting for them to talk to me,” said Espinoza-Abreu of Lakeland, Florida, who is pursuing a Biochemistry major. “And, with math, it’s not that I didn’t know how to do math at all; it was more that I doubted myself. The homework that they give us is starting to become a lot easier, and I’m starting to feel more confident in understanding it all.”

Soar First is a summer bridge program that has, so far, supported 13 first-year students who were conditionally accepted into Stockton’s natural science, health science and computer science majors.

The students were selected based on their placement test scores for two weeks of college-level math courses and workshops on personal and academic development topics such as goal setting, best practices for studying, navigating anxiety and more.

“We’re equipping students with the tools, confidence and community they need to thrive and get the most out of their Stockton experience,” Associate Provost for Academic Success Ariane Newman said. “The program’s intensive math instruction and evening study sessions are designed to build a strong math foundation and long-term success in STEM courses. We want students to know that the best experiences occur when they engage in and out of the classroom – support is built into the experience.” 

Following the bridge session, the students were retested. Students who are ready will begin taking their respective majors’ math courses, while others requiring more support are enrolled in a quantitative reasoning course that will reintroduce foundational concepts.

Incoming Exercise Science major Gabriella Aiello enjoyed the hands-on aspect of the program’s course and lab work, sharing that she was impressed with the resources Stockton’s campus provides. She also appreciated being exposed to different fields of science.

“It’s important to branch out and learn new things because it shows a larger depth in yourself and your interests,” she said.  “If you’re (pursuing) health sciences, you’re not really thinking of environmental science, but when you’re exposed to it, you might consider courses or clubs related to it,” Aiello, of Farmingdale, said. “And that’s great, because it gives anyone looking at your resume more to work with below the surface.”

For Dwayne Rose-McDaniel, an incoming Biology major from Burlington Township, his favorite parts of the program included the tutoring sessions with the program’s peer mentors, who are either current Stockton students or alumni of Stockton’s science programs.

“(The courses) are getting a little more challenging every day, but it feels good because we always have our tutors with us who are more around our age that really help us,” he said. “We get to talk, have fun and hang out, but we’re also doing work and learning, and everyone’s locked in and focused.”

Corey Greenleaf, a Barnegat resident majoring in Computer Science, saw the program as an opportunity to get a head start on exploring the campus and networking with his peers.  

“Seeing a bunch of new faces, I was nervous,” Greenleaf said. “But honestly, they all have helped me, and we’re all trying to help each other with our goals in retaking the Accuplacer.”

For Newman, witnessing the students grow and develop together has been “something special to see.”

“Students in the program became a community within the first few days of the program. I can tell there are a few life-long friendships in the making,” she said.   

– Story by Loukaia Taylor

– Photos by Susan Allen 

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