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Summer Success Program

2025 Summer Success Program

Watch the Summer Success Program and CODES Webinar

On March 6th, SSP and CODES held a virtual informational webinar.

Donate to the Summer Success Program!

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Kudos and Accomplishments

What is the Summer Success Program?

The SIUE Summer Success Program, which takes place the summer before students’ first Fall semester, is a five-week program open to a cohort of newly admitted first-year students who identify as a first-generation college student (neither parent has earned a Bachelor's degree) and/or low-income and/or having a disability. The Summer Success Program is no cost to enrolled participants.

The Summer Success Program’s goal is to help students transition to college by exposing them to the following:

Academic Courses: Students will have the potential to earn up to six (6) credit hours, the opportunity to complete the SIUE health experience graduation requirement, network with professors and other SIUE faculty, as well as receive ongoing personal, academic and career advising after the completion of the Summer Success Program.
Campus Resources: The Summer Success Program will connect students to essential SIUE campus resources including financial aid, counseling and health services, the Career Development Center, ACCESS, and other essential campus resources. Students will meet one on one with a SSP staff member and participate in weekly workshops designed to help students be knowledgeable about which resources they will need to succeed at SIUE.
Social Development: Students will live on campus with their fellow students while taking part in a variety of social events, providing students with the opportunity to make valuable friendships and a community going into their first full semester. SSP will also provide students with opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, and civic engagement.

Program Objectives/Milestones

Through the SIUE Summer Success Program, students will utilize campus resources and develop skills necessary to thrive holistically and reach their goal of graduation. SIUE Summer Success Program students will:

Show a commitment to their education through engagement and involvement at the University such as student organizations, on-campus employment, and learning communities.
Enhance skills by utilizing the resources available through a variety of SIUE student support services and resources such as the Loveyjoy Library and Learning Support Services.
Develop a Summer Success Education Plan by meeting one on one with a staff member during the summer program, as well as meet one on one with program staff at least two times in the fall to discuss their Student Success Plan.
Seek continuous mentorship from faculty/staff and University programs that connect faculty/staff and students outside of the classroom and in other formal settings.
Meet with their SIUE mentors throughout their entire first year of college.

Program Outcomes

SIUE Summer Success students will demonstrate:

Proficiency in navigating through university policies and procedures.
Successful completion and matriculation into their first full year at SIUE
Higher retention and graduation rates

The Summer Success Program fits within the SIUE mission and has the potential to impact the University goals and strategic plans in the areas of:

Increasing overall completion rates
Increasing completion rates in at-risk and disadvantaged populations

Past Program Participant Testimonials & Videos

Dano Emery Hometown: Chicago, IL Major: Civil Engineering "I connected with nice people and was taught about resources here to help me succeed. I had a very tough situation and was able to get support from PAs and wouldn't have been able to get the personal support before."

Savannah Ford Hometown: Murphysboro,IL Major: Social Work "SSP has impacted my transition to SIUE by showing me that everyone is not the same and, that is totally ok. Also how you can have a family in the summer success program!"

Moss Palmer Hometown: Chesterton, IN Major: Studio Arts "The Summer Success program made my transition into SIUE easier, as I got acquainted with the campus faster, and got an idea of what my classes will be like during the fall semester. Due to this, I now feel prepared for what comes next."

Hayden Sample Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: Art and Design "I loved being able to connect with fellow upcoming freshman, connect with professors, live in a dorm, explore the campus, have informative workshops, engaging classes, and being introduced to possible mentors."

Matthew Starks-Robinson Hometown: Chicago, IL Major: Engineering "SSP program has helped me be prepared for my classes in the fall by helping me get accustomed to college life. The smaller class sizes helped me find people I’d like to stay friends with throughout my college career."

Auteauna Anthony Hometown: Marion, IL Major: Nursing "SSP has helped me come out my shell just a little and make some new friends. It has also given me the opportunity to get to know the campus and feel a little more prepared for the fall."

Limya Baker Hometown: Pontoon Beach, IL Major: Pre-Medicine

Heaven Barrett Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: Nursing "In the Summer Success Program I experienced and opened a new version of myself before the school year started. It gave a perfect example of what college life will be and where my expectations should be, it definitely prepared me for success."

Tariq Brandon Hometown: East St. Louis, IL Major: Art and Design

Caelen Brown Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: English “Summer Success prepared me for what life on campus is like.”

Connor Brown Hometown: Smithton, IL Accountancy "The SSP Program has been a great experience. It helped get me ready for classes while helping me be more social."

Caleb Burkard Hometown: Momence, IL Major: Special Education "SSP allowed me to prepare for the rigorous and exhausting life in college that would become a norm."

Sarah Burton Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: Biological Sciences Pre Med "SSP has impacted my transition to SIUE by giving me the ability to better manage my time as well as get acclimated to how college life will be."

Aydin Clemoens Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: Construction Management "SSP has provided me with valuable insight into what fall classes will be like and the importance of staying on top of my assignments. It has also equipped me with the skills to effectively address challenges that may arise during college."

Dannica Davis Hometown: East St. Louis, IL Major: Biological Sciences: Medical Science "The Summer Success program helped me to get accustomed to college. It also made the transition from high school to college a lot easier."

Jasmine Davis Hometown: Bethalto, IL Major: Mass Communications "SSP is a blessing in different ways. All the opportunities, resources, and networks they give you before the actual school year starts is something I am really thankful for."

Aaliyah Farrar Hometown: Cahokia, IL Major: Nursing

Na-Renzo Gardner Hometown: Madison, IL Major: Computer Engineering "SSP has helped me understand the format of a real college schedule and the several gaps in between. It has also helped me navigate around this campus."

Hannah Hicks Hometown: Belleville, IL Major: Music Theory & Composition

Julez Hill Hometown: East St. Louis, IL Major: Graphic Design "SSP has honestly been a great experience for not only meeting new people, but making friends along the way."

Aleesa Jones Hometown: Mt. Sterling, IL Major: Nursing "SSP has been so beneficial to me to help me become integrated into the SIUE community. The SSP has helped to show me all the facilities that the campus has to offer"

Charity Keely Hometown: Mascoutah, IL Major: Nursing "It impacted me to come out of my shell and communicate with others! Also learning how to depend on myself and not my parents!"

Katelyn Krahn Hometown: Pekin, IL Major: Speech Pathology "Ssp has really helped me get used to what it’s gonna be like in the fall. They also helped me with getting to know how to maintain my grades and keep good grades"

Cooper Law Hometown: Hillsboro, IL Major: Business "SSP helped me decide on all kinds of things with my schedule it made things a lot easier and I made many friends during that time"

Samuel Lee Hometown: Belleville, IL Major: Entrepreneurship

Laylah Leech Hometown: East St. Louis, IL Majors: Business and Mass Communications "The summer success program has impacted me in my transition to SIUE because it helped me get prepared for the Fall Semester and gave me a head start for college. It helped me with many connections and it widened my knowledge over the past few weeks.

Mekhi Mackey Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota Major: Psychology "SSP provided me an early wake-up call to the realities & responsibilities of college life. It highlighted the need for significant maturity and adaptability compared to high school, emphasizing that without these qualities, one risks falling behind.

Alera Meeks Hometown: Robinson, IL Major: Business "Thanks to SSP I have made new friends, learned new study habits and about the campus itself."

Clarissa Mitchell Hometown: Cahokia, IL Major: Criminal Justice “It helped my transition a lot into college life. Now in the fall I know what to expect.”

Anahi Moreno Hometown: Aurora, IL Major: Mechanical Engineering "SSP has truly set me up for success this fall. It’s a great introduction to college life, and I feel confident and prepared for the upcoming semester."

Isaiah Otey Hometown: Belleville, IL Major: International Business "The 2024 Summer Success Program has been five weeks of good times and great opportunity."

Jayden Payne Hometown: Millstadt, IL Major: Exploratory

Angelis Pierce Hometown: Chicago, IL Major: Nursing

Isabella Rayford Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: Computer Engineering "The SSP helped prepare for my first year in college and it made it feel more confident and less scared for my time at SIUE"

Justin Richerson Hometown: Maryland Heights, MO Major: Pre-Dental "I feel as though the Summer Success Program gave me a glimpse of what it’s like to be part of the Cougar Family."

Lyric Robinson Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: Exercise Science "SSP has given me the opportunity to get acclimated onto SIUE's campus and class/courses SIUE has to offer. I've made memories, friends, & connections that I am grateful for. SSP has made me feel confident in myself & my college experience at SIUE."

Tayina Roby Hometown: Chicago, IL Major: Nursing

Kamorian Rufus Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: Psychology "The SSP was a wonderful experience for me, it really prepared me for college life and helped me make new friends."

David Sides Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: Construction Management "SSP has truly been a blessing in my life. I’ve learned lessons early so when the fall semester comes there will be no surprises. There are people who I have things in common with, I truly feel like the SSP kids are now a close community."

Davion Sides Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: Electrical Engineering "SSP really help me get a feel of the campus and the campus life here. I made long lasting friends and I have an idea of the future that I want and it is all thanks to this program."

Denise Sossou Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: Nursing

Cincere Stadeker Hometown: Chicago, IL Major: Business Management "My transition to SIUE was good because I was able to meet new people that I can connect with. I’m looking forward to being one of the ta that helps with the program."

Andujar Stanley Jr. Hometown: Madison, IL Major: Construction Management “The summer success program helped me make that huge transition college. I have been introduced to a lot of new and different people and it helped me open my eyes and see that not everybody is like me”

Earnest Thomas Hometown: Chicago, IL Major: Finance "I really love the program because it helped me get introduced to SIUE."

Markell Thompson Hometown: Edwardsville, IL Major: Nursing

Lacy Toedte Hometown: Centralia, IL Major: Nursing "The summer success program impacted you and my transition to SIUE by preparing me for classes and the lifestyle. The classes prepared me with exams , research papers , etc. The lifestyle prepares you to get into a routine."

Wyatt Urton Hometown: Newark, IL Major: Exercise Science "SSP has given me the opportunity to make new friends and adjust to the pacing of college."

Cheyenne Wadley Hometown: Zeigler, IL Major: Nursing “SSP impacted my life by showing me that college isn’t scary, but that it is fun and you can enjoy the little things. It also showed me that I am okay living by myself, that I have to be independent and become an adult.”

Lillian White Hometown: Belleville, IL Major: Early Childhood Education "A big impact SSP made on me was just to be myself. I have made really amazing friends in this program, and they accepted me for who I am without me having to change myself. I am so happy that I found people I can go into this fall with."

Brooke Whitehead Hometown: Chicago, IL Major: Biochemistry "SSP has given me confidence for the fall. Being here helped getting the feel of being in and around college without the weight on my shoulders."

Marley Williams Hometown: Moro, IL Major: Biological Sciences Pre-Vet "SSP made it possible for me to get adapted to a faster pace work environment and also allow me to make new connections throughout the SIUE campus and has better prepared me for the fall semester."

Ardiya Williams Hometown: Chicago, IL Major: Social Work "SSP allowed me to start a new journey and get a head start on my education to better help me understand what needs to be done. This was an opportunity for academic development and adaptation and I’m glad I didn’t pass this up."

Clauzel Williams Hometown: Lynwood, IL Major: Criminal Justice

Jehnia Williams Hometown: St. Louis, MO Major: Nursing "SSP impacted me in very great way. I was able to make new friends and figure what works best for me"

Frankie Zabalaoui Hometown: Austin, TX Major: Musical Theater "SSP definitely helped by getting me introduced to the campus earlier—I’d hate having to navigate for the first time during fall classes. It also helped me get rid of the class I’d hate to take for a full semester with other classes!"

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.