U.S. Dept. of Education Grant Helps MCC Expand Successful STARS Summer Bridge Program

MANCHESTER, Conn. (August 20, 2020) – Manchester Community College was awarded an approximately $1 million Student Support Services grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education, funded over the next five years, to continue and expand the college’s successful Student Training and Academic Retention Service (STARS) program.

The next STARS cohort will begin in Summer 2021. For more information on the program, visit www.manchestercc.edu/STARS.

The new funding will enable MCC to increase the scope of its current level of support and serve 140 students. STARS is a six-week, pre-college summer program that runs from mid-June to mid-August. It is designed to prepare first-year low income and first-generation students for the coming academic year. Students practice and reinforce reading, writing and math skills; retake the English and math assessment tests to determine their placement in college-level courses; earn up to seven college credits; benefit from one-on-one guidance from tutors and peer mentors; and develop time management and study skills.

The summer program provides travel and cultural opportunities that help participants develop meaningful relationships, interact with academic material in new ways, and develop self-efficacy as they move into the academic year. Once the semester starts students participate in a learning community and a first-year experience course, among other activities. The program and support continue throughout the students’ academic career with advising, coaching, mentoring, and opportunities for personal growth. There is no cost to students. The grant-funded program covers the cost of tuition, books, supplies, admission to special cultural programs and even bus fare to and from home using the UPass CT program.

STARS students are less likely to be on academic probation than other new full-time students during their first semester

“How students begin their college careers has a direct impact on their likelihood of completing,” said Pamela Mitchell, associate dean of academic and student affairs. “The students who commit to our STARS program have the opportunity to transition into the fall semester familiar with the college and its resources, within a group of supportive peers.”