Hear directly from community members and leaders about their experiences in BSP!
"Serving as an RA for this year’s BSP cohort has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Michigan. Watching the residents grow and mature throughout their college journeys has been a true blessing, inspiring me in countless ways. As a leader, I feel more confident tackling challenges and responding effectively to whatever comes my way. The BSP students’ brilliance and determination motivate me to bring my very best every day, knowing the incredible potential they bring to the table. It’s an honor to support them and their endeavors as they strive toward their goals."
“The BSP community is like a mosaic, composed of many different people from various backgrounds. Our community is a true place for innovation, motivation, and camaraderie. I have learned so much about myself and my goals through interacting with my peers. The BSP team provided students with numerous opportunities to achieve success in both their projects and personal growth. Your first year is pivotal to the success of your collegiate career, so it’s important to start on a good note. When I joined BSP, I not only received many significant opportunities, but I also gained a tremendous support system that truly cares.”
The BSP community shaped my entire freshman year and continues to have a lasting impact on me. Through the partnership with optiMize, I’ve gained invaluable skills in entrepreneurship. I’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible mentors, including Roots & Wings co-founder and friend, Gold'Ann.
Because of BSP, I participated in the optiMize Summer Fellowship Program, where I was able to further develop my project and hone my leadership, entrepreneurship, and organizational skills.
As a BSP alum, I’ve served as a peer mentor and course co-facilitator for the (formerly known as) BSP workshops. I continue to engage with the community and appreciate its supportive and diverse cohort of students, which can be hard to find elsewhere on campus. The friendships I’ve made through BSP will stay with me, and I’ve loved being part of a community that reflects the values of SBSP.
"As a first-generation and out-of-state student, joining BSP was a leap of faith. That leap, however, allowed me to build genuine connections, find my place on campus, and become part of a supportive community. Through BSP, I had the privilege of meeting some truly amazing people and forming relationships that continue to be meaningful today.
One of the things that stood out most to me was seeing and living with people who shared similar backgrounds and experiences in my residence hall community. That sense of belonging and connection made a large university feel much smaller and more welcoming.
Those shared experiences are among my favorite memories from BSP, and they are what I look forward to helping foster as a Resident Advisor in Harper Hall."
At first, I was skeptical about BSP. Now I can say with confidence that my freshman year at the university wouldn’t have been nearly the same without BSP guiding me through. Not only have I stumbled upon multiple opportunities solely due to BSP, but I’ve met some of the best people. I highly recommend not to miss out on this extraordinary opportunity!
The BSP community played a huge role in shaping my freshman year at Michigan, giving me a true sense of belonging. It made the large campus feel like a close-knit community. We had events to build connections, like attending sports games or movie nights. My favorite was watching the new Captain America: Brave New World movie the day after it came out.
At first, I was a bit skeptical about optiMize because it meant adding an extra class on Wednesdays, but I quickly grew to look forward to it. OptiMize allowed me to bring my passion for helping others to campus. I enjoyed every step of the process and became so excited about my project's potential that I decided to pitch it for funding.
Now, I’m part of optiMize's cohort thirteen this summer, where I have the opportunity to bring my project to life and make an impact on my Michigan community. None of this would have been possible without BSP and optiMize. I’m incredibly grateful for the experience and am excited to help others make the most of their time in BSP as one of the resident advisors for next year’s BSP cohort.
Being a part of BSP has truly helped me grow and has shown me what a strong, supportive community can look like. It made my transition from the summer semester to the fall much smoother, as I was able to continue building the relationships I formed over the summer. The program gave me a solid support system through the peers I already knew, and it also encouraged me to connect with people outside of BSP.
More than just building relationships, BSP helped me develop as a leader and thinker. One of our classes allowed us to explore our personal interests and design a project aimed at making a positive impact—whether on campus, in our communities, or beyond. That experience really strengthened my teamwork and problem-solving skills, and helped me bring an idea I cared about to life. Without BSP, I’m not sure I would have found a community that offers the same level of support, growth, and opportunity.
Joining BSP was one of the best decisions I made as an incoming freshman. Through BSP, I participated in many opportunities, such as the Art at Home program, which allowed me and other BSP scholars to choose a piece of art from the University of Michigan Museum of Art to display in our dorm rooms in the winter semester. Not only was this an incredible opportunity that I would not have had without BSP, but the Art at Home “Match Day” was also such a fun event when we got to see the artworks in the UMMA and choose the one we wanted. BSP gave me a community when I needed it the most by hosting events and opportunities that allowed me to build confidence in myself and connections with my peers. It was so comforting seeing familiar faces around my hallway and in class while I was adjusting to being a student at such a large university.
Being part of Bridge Scholars Plus was an unexpected blessing. Initially, I signed up for BSP on impulse, but I would choose to do it all over again. Summer Bridge helped me bond with peers, while BSP strengthened and sustained those friendships.
The BSP + optiMize class (now CSP 121) was especially meaningful, giving me the chance to reconnect with peers and engage in impactful discussions that made me feel like I belonged at U-M and as if I were contributing to something meaningful.
My BSP experience inspired me to apply for the Resident Advisor role in the community, where I now mentor first-year students and aim to help make their experience as rewarding as mine.
