Bridges To Success

Programs

ACHIEVE TO SUCCEED

This program is designed to provide tutoring, mentoring, and service learning/community service for Elementary, Middle and High School students. Valencia Community College Bridges To Success Achievers and the Two Plus Two Program students participate as tutors, mentors and role models.

 

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH PROGRAMS

African-American Heritage Month was established in 1926. Although there is an international aspect to African-American Heritage Month (Black History Month), it is mainly an American celebration. Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson and others launched “Negro History Week” so that Americans could reflect on the history and contributions of African-Americans. In the 1970s, the celebration of African-American Heritage was expanded to include the entire month of February. Valencia Community College observes African-American Heritage Month through programs and activities.

 

BRIDGES TO SUCCESS SUMMER PROGRAM

The Bridges To Success Summer Program provides students with an opportunity to begin college-level work in the summer prior to fulltime degree seeking enrollment to Valencia Community College.  Students selected for the program will register and attend courses without cost.  Bridges students receive individualized personal attention from Valencia faculty dedicated to assisting students in making a successful transition from high school to college and will build leadership skills through community service and extra-curricular workshops. 

High school graduates from Orange or Osceola County are invited to apply for the Bridges to Success Summer Program.  Special consideration is given to students who have participated in one of Valencia's pre-collegiate programs: College Reach Out Program (CROP), Dual Enrollment, Partnership Programs (a community based program that has a partnership with Valencia), Tech Prep.

Students who successfully complete the Bridges to Success Program are eligible for the Bridges To Success Achievers Scholarship.  This renewable full-tuition scholarship* is awarded for enrollment to Valencia Community College. (*will be coordinated with other financial aid).

 

BRIDGES TO SUCCESS ACHIEVERS PROGRAM

Students who successfully complete the Bridges To Success Summer Program are eligible for the Bridges To Success Achievers Scholarship.  This renewable full-tuition scholarship* is awarded for enrollment to Valencia Community College (*will be coordinated with other financial aid).

BTS must

  • Successfully complete the Bridges To Success Program with a grade point average of 2.0 with 100% course completion rate
  • Request a final official high school transcript (reflecting a graduation date) by the deadline date.
  • Enroll for a minimum of 9 credit hours for the Valencia Fall semester and 2009 Spring Terms which must include the SLS 2930 and SLS 1122 Student Success courses.
  • Attend 4 workshops per term
  • Complete 30 hours of community service per term
  • Complete & submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by the deadline date.

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LIFESTRIDES

Valencia Community College and the Coalition for the Homeless have partnered to better serve clients of the Coalition for the Homeless through its Life-Strides program.  Life-Strides is sponsored through the Orange County Public Schools and is located on their main campus.  This program is open to the entire community.  Every adult who comes to the Coalition visits the Life-Strides classroom for an assessment test.  Clients can take free courses to either get their GED, of focus on continued education.  Life-Strides clients interested in continuing their education beyond high school are referred to the Bridges To Success office for assistance with the application, enrollment, and support services.  Clients of the Coalition are not required to pay tuition (does not include books and some fees).  Interested clients must contact Life-Strides to obtain a referral before contacting Valencia Community College Bridges To Success office.

 

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION

 

SPIRIT PROGRAM-COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

SPIRIT (Students and Parents, Information and Resources to Improve Talent) is designed to create a community partnership with faith-based organizations and to increase community awareness of programs and opportunities offered through Valencia Community College.

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STUDENT CLUBS

The Office of Bridges To Success serves as advisor and support system to several ethnically diverse student clubs:

  • African-American Cultural Society (A2CS)
  • Black High Achievers Club
  • Bridges To Success

 

TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MINORITY STUDENTS

The Office of Bridges To Success coordinates and distributes information about transfer scholarships, especially for minority population. Inform students of available resources at the college and provide them with the opportunity to participate in special programs designed to encourage minorities to graduate from community college and transfer to a four-year college.

 

 

TWO PLUS TWO PROGRAM

Valencia Community College and 15 prestigious southeastern institutions have combined their efforts to facilitate the transfer of college credits earned at Valencia Community College into upper-division course work.

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