Author: Harry Rahn

Kira was very involved in the STEM program throughout high school, focusing heavily on computer science and related fields. Michigan Tech was not initially on her list of preferred schools until she and my husband visited and toured the campus. After the tour, she knew that’s where she wanted to be. The S-STEM scholarship was instrumental in solidifying her decision and provided a huge advantage.

We only learned about the S-STEM, or Husky Paws scholarship, during that first tour. When it was mentioned, I immediately looked it up on my phone and realized she would need to write an essay for it. At the time, the program’s funding level was not published, and we did not know it was limited to only six students until we were up there moving her in.

The distance, eight and a half hours away, was a major concern, particularly the thought of not being readily available if something went wrong. However, Kira was set on Tech. I believe the distance was appealing because it allowed her to remain in Michigan yet still be far enough away to create her own identity, establish new friendships, and build a new community for herself.

The remoteness of her choice was the biggest concern. She chose a school that was eight and a half hours from home, in an isolated area known for at least one blizzard a season. The lack of quick availability meant she truly had to be ready to manage and advocate for herself.

Although Michigan Tech was the first place we visited, and I had to put it on her list initially, it became her first choice by a wide margin after all the tours were complete. Michigan Tech does a superior job of selling itself to potential students compared to the other state schools we toured.

Starting out with only 13 students in the group, she had to quickly embrace that small community and forge friendships. Not knowing how she was adjusting was a huge unknown initially, but the Summer Bridge Program opened her up completely.

When she came home in October for a literal 36-hour visit, spending 16 hours in the car over two days, she was a complete 180 from the person who had left. The Summer Bridge Program allowed her to ease into university life with a small group of peers, rather than facing the chaos of a regular move-in week with thousands of students. She did mention that by the time school started, she had been on almost a dozen campus tours and felt the extra orientation was unnecessary.

The Summer Bridge Program genuinely helped her break out of her shell and work with like-minded individuals. It also helped her understand herself and her study habits. For most of high school, she could ace tests easily; I believe AP World History or U.S. History was the only class she ever struggled with. The program provided crucial additional one-on-one help, meetings with advisors, and established her academic path.

I believe she would have had a much different first semester experience without the program. Her excitement was immediate; she even texted us during class (which she wasn’t supposed to do) when she found out she got the scholarship.

Knowing that the program closed any financial gaps was what truly cemented her decision to attend. This year, she has been working for the program. She found “Prep for Tech” week and the regular orientation week boring, feeling she didn’t need most of it since she had already been on campus for three weeks.

As someone who went through the program, she was thrilled to interview to be a peer mentor for the incoming class. She was excited to return to ongoing work with the program, as she hadn’t wanted to commit to the full year without knowing how her semester would go. Recently, she texted us that she would be visiting her high school over break to promote the STEM program. Her choosing to go back to high school, even for work, is a huge sign of the program’s positive impact.

The most important takeaway for parents is this: you don’t have to be overly concerned about sending your students far away. A student who gets into the Summer Bridge Program is already set up for great success and will have a good first semester and year. The program will only elevate that success, particularly through the “learning how to learn” component. We’ve done it twice, and they will be fine. Knowing that she is helping to impact other people this year, since we set her up in August to mentor, makes saying “see you later” much easier.

Here is what Alma Sanchez, Janelly’s Mother, had to say about how the S-STEM Scholar Program and Summer Bridge helped transition Janelly into Michigan Tech.

At first, I didn’t know much about the program, but from what I’ve heard, it’s very good and helps students start a new chapter in university. Students often arrive with some questions and worries, so the program helps them get settled in.

Well, at first I was very nervous because it’s my only daughter who’s going, and it seemed very far away. I didn’t know how she was going to manage on her own, and I was worried. However, as time passed, I saw that she was doing well and was focused on her academics, and that helped me feel better and calm down.

What truly calmed me down was seeing the program help Janelly. I see her as more mature, focused, and determined now, and seeing how she has been able to handle everything reassured me. Seeing how she’s grown, not just as a student but as a young woman, I’ve been really proud of what she’s accomplished.

Janelly has shared a lot with me. Every time she’s going to do something, whether it’s traveling or starting a new chapter. From what I hear, she’s been getting into new opportunities, which has been the best part of the program. I haven’t heard many negative aspects; from what I hear, the program has helped her a lot and has been going well.

When it’s the first time your child goes far away, it’s scary. But as parents, we must give them the benefit of the doubt and understand that they are starting their own careers, education, and preparing their future. As parents, we did our best to prepare them, and it’s time to let them go on their own, making sure we always support them in their decisions. Michigan Tech seems like a good school with good opportunities, so it was easy to know she would be in good hands.

Here is what Steve Ingles, Will’s father, had to say about how the S-STEM Scholar Program and Summer Bridge helped transition Will into Michigan Tech.

Initially what drew me in was the financial funding but I didn’t think we would qualify for it. Will’s initial Student Aid Index (SAI) was well above the Pell Grant eligibility requirement. However, due to special circumstances reported to the financial aid office, we were able to lower Michigan Tech’s institutional Student Aid Index (SAI) enough for Will to qualify for a Pell Grant. I also liked the format of the program’s essay question, which focused on personal attributes and the idea that everyone brings something valuable to the table, not just good grades and a list of awards and activities.

The nine-hour distance from home was a concern, particularly if an emergency required me to get there quickly. The fact that most of the students are from far away and that Michigan Tech’s support staff are experienced in assisting students when issues arise gave me a sense of comfort that I would not have at most other universities. Will living alone for the first time, managing his time effectively, and being socially active and accepted were among my other concerns.

The Summer Bridge and S-STEM program addressed these concerns. They allowed Will to move onto campus before the rest of the incoming class and get a lay of the land. Furthermore, the Bridge program’s work on time management and the math review put him in the best position to get off to a good start, allowing him to form friendships with his cohort and build mentor relationships with the S-STEM instructors.

Will told me directly that the S-STEM Bridge Program over the summer made all the difference. It not only gave him confidence going into the semester but also taught him how to manage his time so assignments get done on schedule and showed him where to find the right resources on campus when he needs them.

My biggest concern about Will attending Michigan Tech was the distance from home and whether he would be able to handle things on his own without my help. I can confidently say that, with the support system provided by Michigan Tech and the S-STEM faculty and staff, I sleep soundly at night knowing he is safe and at the right university for his academic, career, and social interests.