Herencia summer bridge program helps high school seniors build confidence and prepare for college life
In July 2023, the inaugural weeklong summer bridge titled Herencia took place on-campus at Wichita State University. The program, open to all students but geared towards native/heritage Spanish-speaking high school students. This experience was intentional in preparing high school senior students for college through an abundance of cultural immersion, language enhancement, college credit opportunities, and pathways to success for college. Herencia, which translates to “heritage, or legacy/inheritance” allowed the students to explore their cultural background and gave each of them a sense of confidence to excel in college, while remaining and enhancing their authentic selves.
Collaborating across colleges and departments at WSU, Herencia provided 5 college credits for completing two courses during the bridge program,The Enhanced Spanish course, taught by Dr. Rocio Del Aguila Carreno, Department Chair of Modern Languages at WSU, and Foundations of Latine Culture and Identity, team-taught by Dr. Enrique Navarro, Associate Dean of the Graduate College, and Sam Paunetto of the International Rescue Committee. In addition, several community partners and collaborators contributed to providing resources and information to the student participants and their families. An overview of FAFSA by Somos First-Gen, WSU Admissions, WSU Student Affairs and the College of Applied Studies are some of the many who presented to Herencia. Current WSU students, Valeria Paunetto (Social Work) and Yarid Pizarro (Communication) were instrumental in mentoring and serving as a support system throughout the week.
As the demographics of Kansas begin to shift, providing an experience for Latine students and their families to adequately support their pathway in preparation for college, is the foundation of this bridge program. As Wichita State University is on the journey to becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution, the intentionality of promoting opportunities for servingness, even before students step on campus, is imperative.