Academic Bridge Program Marks 25 Years of Closing Gaps to Success

The University of Texas at Dallas Academic Bridge Program (ABP) is celebrating its 25th anniversary of promoting student success.

The program supports high-potential, first-generation college students through a prefreshman-year summer program, on-campus housing, mentorship and academic coaching for four years.

“These resources are not just about financial support,” said Academic Bridge director Soli Ghirmai, who has been involved with the program since its inception. “They’re about creating a holistic environment where first-generation students can thrive, lead and graduate with purpose.”

What began as a small initiative has evolved into a comprehensive effort that now operates in collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Education.

“A program like ABP has a clear and resounding impact on the lives of UT Dallas students that is easily seen in the retention rates of the students who participate in the program,” said Dr. William Nichols, dean of undergraduate education and Mary McDermott Cook Chair for Undergraduate Education.

“By bringing the students to campus early and housing them at UT Dallas, we foster a sense of belonging at the same time we are getting them ready to face the academic challenges of their classes. That these students can see themselves at UTD, literally and figuratively, makes all the difference in their success,” he said.

The program was founded by Dr. George Fair, former dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, on a powerful belief: that education is transformative, and every student — regardless of background — deserves an equal opportunity to succeed.

“Our founder, driven by a deep commitment to equity, recognized the barriers that first-generation college students often face and worked tirelessly to create a program that would break those barriers,” Ghirmai said. “His vision was clear: to build a support system that not only opened doors to higher education but ensured students had the tools, resources and community to thrive once they arrived. That legacy continues today, and it’s the foundation upon which we’ve built 25 years of impact.”

The program serves approximately 120 students each year and has about 600 alumni.

“Our alumni include doctors, dentists, lawyers, engineers, CPAs, human resources and corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and educators, many of whom have returned to their communities to teach and mentor the next generation. Their success stories are a powerful reflection of the program’s enduring impact and the strength of the students we serve,” Ghirmai said.

One alum said she cherished her time in the program.

When mechanical engineering doctoral student Bernadette Magalindan BS’21, MS’25 was an incoming freshman, she spent the summer before the fall semester attending classes on campus while studying math, rhetoric and communications.

“This allowed for a lot of breathing room because the campus was empty, so we were able to get more attention from the professors and the tutors at ABP,” she said. “I grew much more confident starting my first year of college because I became familiar with the routine and established a fulfilling school-life balance. When I went into mechanical engineering, I made a lot of friends within ABP who were also in the same degree program.”

The camaraderie that develops among the students is one of the most important benefits of the program, Magalindan said.

“We were living together, so we were able to study and relax together. Undoubtedly, this reinforced our friendships and supported a healthy school-life balance,” she said. “It was just a very strong closeness. ABP was a huge, crucial part of my education that helped me to persevere toward my degree.”

The program also invites industry professionals and alumni to talk to the students to help set them up for future success.

“ABP brought in someone almost every month to talk to us,” Magalindan said. “And we had career panels multiple times, so we were exposed to so many different professions. We saw that people coming from backgrounds like ours could thrive in a career of their choice.”

Being introduced to campus the summer before their first fall semester helps students realize they made a good decision to come to UT Dallas, said Tonya Carroll, assistant director of the program. One of her favorite parts of the job is seeing the excitement from the students.

“Knowing we’ve helped to put them on a path to success is what really warms my heart,” she said.

This year, 20 new students joined UT Dallas through the program.

“This year’s students stand out for their extraordinary resilience and purpose-driven mindset,” Ghirmai said. “They’ve navigated a rapidly changing world with determination and grace, and they’re not just focused on personal achievement; they’re deeply committed to uplifting their peers and the program. Their adaptability and collaborative spirit make them one of the most inspiring groups I’ve had the privilege to work with.”

Interdisciplinary studies freshman Jaela Spencer said the support she has received and the friendships she has developed through the program will last beyond college.

“UT Dallas was the first school that truly gave me a chance. After receiving a scholarship to play basketball, my coach told me about ABP, and since then, I knew that UT Dallas was the perfect school for me,” she said.

Computer science freshman Christopher Constantino said being in the program means UT Dallas believes in him.

“I immediately found myself in an accepting, uplifting community,” he said. “Our weekly meetings fostered closeness and mutual trust. It’s an honor to be granted such a prestigious opportunity, and I view it as an expectation that I put forth my best efforts during my time in college.”

As the program’s leaders look ahead to the next 25 years, their goal is to grow the program’s reach, strengthen its foundation and preserve its legacy of excellence, Ghirmai said.

“We remain committed to providing first-generation college students with the resources they need to thrive. These offerings are life-changing, and we know that continued support will be essential to sustaining and expanding this impact,” she said. “These students bring resilience, ambition and fresh perspectives to our campus, and it’s been an honor to help build pathways that empower them to succeed,” she said.