The Summer Bridge program had students participate in activities based on their interests and future major studies in humanities, business, STEM, health care, or social and behavioral sciences. However, all of it focused around a central theme: Sustaining the Beauty, Health, and Prosperity of Northwest Indiana: People and their Environment As part of the program, the students took a day-long trip to parts of Indiana Dunes National Park, with STEM students collecting water and soil samples to analyze them further, and the business students meeting with members of Save the Dunes and Dig the Dunes to later create a marketing plan for the park. Kristin Huysken, an associate dean and geology professor at IUN, said having the theme specific to Northwest Indiana was a way for the students to connect with the program and a way to give a sense of purpose to the participants.
"What motivates our students largely is a sense of giving back," she said Huysken further added she was impressed with the students and their willingness to take part in the program and get a good start to their college careers. According to Huysken, students who take part in the Summer Bridge program also have higher retention rates compared to the other IUN students. Kate Zientarski, a student peer mentor with the program, first learned about Summer Bridge two years ago as a tutor for the university's STEM Center.
She believes it gives a good opportunity for students to make new friends, understanding it's often.