The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) successfully hosted the fourth annual Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) Summer Bridge Program from June 19-23, 2017. ACES is the collaborative effort of USG, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Montgomery College (MC), which seeks to create a seamless pathway from high school to college completion. ACES focuses on identifying and supporting students who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in higher education and those who are the first in their family to attend college. Students apply to ACES during their sophomore year and if accepted, are assigned an academic coach during their junior and senior year. A total of 393 rising senior ACES scholars attended last week’s program.
The ACES Summer Bridge program “Why Not You” focused on career preparation and exploration. Students participated in activities that developed leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills essential for success in today’s workforce. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a Career Expo, which featured a myriad of career options from local businesses and organizations in Montgomery County.
One exercise required students to write an “elevator speech” pitching why they would be a good fit for their dream job. USG’s Executive Director, Dr. Stewart Edelstein, asked students to deliver their “elevator speeches” to him and then spoke about the importance of career preparation.
Guest speakers included current University of Maryland, College Park student, Karla Casique and Erwin Hesse, a graduate from two programs at USG. Erwin graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2010 with a B.A. in Criminology & Criminal Justice, and earned his Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore in 2012. He is currently the Operations Manager of Admissions at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and a doctoral student at the Johns Hopkins School of Education.