In 1994 theBuilding Bridges Mentoring Program (formerly the OMSA Scholars Program) began operating out of the Office of Minority Student Affairs. By using Notre Dame Staff and faculty the OMSA Scholars Program assisted Notre Dame’s historically underrepresented students to succeed academically. This program created a nurturing environment which allowed students the opportunity to explore a variety of career fields. In 1997 the Office of Student Affairs initiated a special project called Opening Doors, which also utilized Notre Dame Staff and faculty as mentors. In 2002 the two programs merged, and today the Building Bridges Mentoring Program is one of several successful programs which operate out of the Office of Multicultural Student Programs and Services.
Serving nearly two hundred of Notre Dame’s underrepresented students; Building Bridges assists incoming students with their college transition. It encourages them to develop critical thinking skills through opportunities of research, internships, and foreign travel. The foundation of the program is built upon the work of faculty mentors who play an integral role in the development of the students. Today more than one-third of the Building Bridges students are on the Dean’s List and have travelled abroad through the Office of International Studies. Over one-fifth of the students engage in research and internships opportunities as undergraduates. And in 2006, the forty-two first year students in the program recorded a higher GPA than the entire first year class.
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Building Bridges
Scholarship, Fellowship, and Award Winners:
Thinh Le '11
SMDEP Fellowship
Jessica Olivas '11
KPMG Future Diversity Leaders Program
Jasmine Williams '11
KPMG Future Diversity Leaders Program
Krystle Graveline '10
SMDEP Fellowship
Kristine Yuen '10
Learning Beyond the Classroom Grant
Aimee-Rika Brewster '09 Gates Millennium Scholar
Felipe Witchger '09
Vincent P. Slatt Fellowship
Monica Boomer '07
Fulbright Grant (Location: Jordan)
Kim-Lu Del Guercio '07
Fulbright Grant (Location: South Korea)
Jennifer Guintu '03
Fulbright Grant (Location: Spain)
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