A balanced approach to student support with Bridge In, Through, and Out

Berea is intentionally designed for students of limited financial means and unlimited potential. Maintaining a top national ranking, the college offers academic breadth, a work-integrated educational program, and unmatched support for students to belong, thrive, and succeed during their time at Berea and post-graduation.

The college’s mission is stated as eight Great Commitments, which make up the moral framework that informs every action Berea takes toward serving its students, its community, the Appalachian region, and the world beyond. The Commitments focus on principles such as advancing the power of love over hate, human dignity and equality, and peace with justice.

A longstanding partnership

As a named beneficiary of the Anne Ray Foundation, Berea and MACP have engaged in a longstanding partnership to address a distinctive challenge among higher education institutions: How can Berea help its unique population of approximately 1,500 students thrive? In 2011, this question led to a new approach of thinking intentionally about a metaphorical “bridge” to clarify and give purpose to supporting the college’s students of great promise.

This systematic and complex concept of helping students facilitate and design their individualized bridge in, through, and out of Berea results in a supportive environment that is unparalleled in higher education.

The Bridge In focuses on helping prospective students recognize that they belong at Berea College. Support includes expanding the steadfast efforts of the Office of Admissions to nurture a rich campus environment by admitting a highly diverse class of incoming first-year and transfer students, making Berea one of the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the U.S.

Through high-touch services such as a Family Engagement Counselor to work with families as they navigate the confusing process of applying to college, the Admissions team seeks to find students with determination, academic success and grit, and high financial need who will be the perfect fit for Berea.

Fostering a diverse student body is central to Berea’s mission. At Berea, students learn from one another through a spirit of kinship, where diversity enriches students’ perspectives and supports growth, shaping them into better leaders and citizens.

Once students are admitted, attention turns toward easing each student’s journey from high school into college. A hallmark transitional program includes an intensive four-week summer Berea Bridge program where incoming students take courses, participate in the college’s federally recognized work program, and learn skills to help them prepare for all aspects of their life at Berea.

Support for the Bridge Through comes in numerous curricular and co-curricular forms to ensure that students continue to develop their unique identity and voice while supporting their resilience and persistence—from over 33 academic majors; to a suite of programs and centers dedicated to educating the whole person, to free medical, counseling, dental, and accessibility services; to supplemental advising and intervention efforts.

Among the college’s many initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion are the Male Initiatives, which seeks to improve retention and engagement among Black, Latino, and Appalachian male students. The program begins with a first-year course that is complemented by intentional co-curricular programming for participants throughout their matriculation to foster a deep sense of belonging and leadership skills among each Male Initiative cohort.

Helping students design and construct their Bridge Out has been an area of increased focus in recent years. The provision of financial resources for students beginning in their sophomore year—including paid internships, career development resources, and transition funds for each graduating senior—provide pivotal educational experiences that enable students to develop skills, expand their professional networks, and achieve greater confidence in themselves and clarity for their career direction. These efforts are vital for Berea’s population of students who often do not have familial professional support, experience, and networking structures in place.

Post-graduation, a cohort of 22 recent graduates also have an opportunity to be employed at the college for up to two years in the BereaCorps program, where they can give back to Berea while gaining valuable work experience and enhanced professional development to help these young alumni identify their next steps both professionally and personally.

Mutual respect for Berea College

Berea College was a mutually respected institution by Margaret Cargill and her dear friend, Cathy Hopper, who attended the college in the early 1950s. That year made an impression that stayed with Cathy throughout her career as an educator and school administrator, and later as Assistant Superintendent of Operations for the San Diego Unified School District. While working with Margaret and co-founder Christy Morse on Margaret’s early philanthropic work, Cathy helped to establish a connection to Berea, and MACP funding helped launch its Bridge programs.

Through the MACP-Berea partnership, the college has remained steadfast in its commitment to the transformative power of learning as it educates current and future generations of students who wish to build a better and healthier future for themselves, their families, their communities, and beyond.

Key story content provided by Berea’s Teri Thompson and Rachel Roberts-Lakes. Video courtesy of Berea College and produced by Justin Skeens, Director of In Cahoots Films, LLC.