Incoming freshmen enrolled in Mount Saint Mary College’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) recently got a head start on their college career through the Mount’s Summer Academic Institute.
Accepted Mount HEOP students are required to complete the four-week Summer Academic Institute prior to their freshman year, building their sense of community early. The institute focuses on preparing HEOP students for college life through academic and leadership training, acclimation with academic resources, overcoming challenges as a group, and more.
In addition to attending English and math classes to better prepare them for the semester, the six Mount HEOP students also received tutoring lessons to enhance their academic skills. They engaged in workshops across different departments and participated in numerous team-building activities.
The program aimed to increase the students’ critical thinking skills, conduct meaningful research based on real-world situations, and more. They were able to showcase their skills in team building, respect, communication, and departmental knowledge at the culminating Field Day activity.
“This final event was a highlight, allowing students to apply everything they had learned in a fun and competitive environment,” noted Emily Figuereo, director of Opportunity and Academic Enrichment Programs. She added, “We are grateful to the Mount community for their support and involvement, which made this transition smoother for our students and helped them feel well-prepared for the upcoming fall semester.”
The Mount’s HEOP provides educational opportunities and support to traditionally underserved students who have strong academic potential, but would otherwise be excluded from higher education due to circumstances of academic and economic disadvantage.