BRIDGE

BRIDGE - Building Relationships In Diverse Gonzaga Environments

Registration will begin in late May, please check back soon for an exact date.

For more information, contact us at UMEC@gonzaga.edu . 

Pre-Orientation Program: Social Justice and Leadership Institute

BRIDGE (NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community 2019 Outstanding New Program Award Winner) is a Social Justice and Leadership Institute designed for students who identify as first-generation, low income, students of color, and/or LGBTQ+. This Pre-Orientation Program introduces underrepresented students early on to specific faculty, staff, student leaders, and other campus resources that can facilitate a smoother transition to campus and community life. 

In alignment with Gonzaga’s Jesuit mission, BRIDGE activities and workshops focus on identity development, cultural fluency, resilience theory, and the social change model of leadership. BRIDGE also covers such relevant topics as imposter syndrome, stereotype threat, and allyship in an effort to proactively address the “culture shock” that many underrepresented students experience during their first semester at a Predominately White Institution (PWI).

First-Year Mentoring

All participants are assigned two BRIDGE mentors, fellow students who then become their peer mentors throughout their first year in college.  During the academic year, BRIDGE students are provided with specialized programming that includes STEM cohorts, monthly socials, study sessions with peer tutors, and college success workshops. 

BRIDGE Benefits

  • Personalized, year-long mentorship from underrepresented upper class students with experience in navigating Gonzaga
  • A head start in learning about different campus and community resources
  • Special access to textbook scholarships and textbook lending library
  • Additional support from UMEC staff during the academic year 

Student Testimonies