First-Year Summer STEM Academy

The First-Year Summer CHANCE Program STEM Academy is a comprehensive two-week transition program designed to support incoming freshmen as they prepare for a successful start to their college journey. This on-campus experience provides a strong academic and social foundation through focused instruction and intentional community engagement. Students will gain insight into what to expect in their first-year engineering courses while developing effective strategies for academic success. The program incorporates interactive classroom activities, hands-on learning experiences, and guided tours of laboratory spaces and key technical resources to familiarize students with the engineering environment.

Participants will engage in:

• Math preparation sessions to strengthen problem-solving and quantitative skills
• Writing workshops to enhance college-level communication and critical thinking
• Academic skills development, including time management, study strategies, and goal setting
• Campus resource exploration, connecting students to key university support services
• Peer-to-peer community-building activities that foster belonging and collaboration
• Interactive classroom activities, laboratory tours
• Professional career development through skill-building workshops, strategic networking opportunities, and immersive site visits that provide real-world industry exposure