About
Providing a home-away-from-home experience
EAST BAY Summer Rise Program is an immersive program for incoming first-year Freshmen and Transfer students from underserved backgrounds. It allows them to experience a slice of college life and help smooth the transition from their previous institution to Cal State East Bay. Participants call Cal State East Bay home during the program days, with all expenses covered through the Pioneer Pathways initiatives, funded through a grant from the Stupski Foundation.Creating a sense of belonging
Many students from underserved communities say they experience imposter syndrome, loosely defined as doubting one’s abilities, feeling like a fraud, and/or feeling that one does not deserve success.“Summer Rise Program helps address this through programming that focuses on team building, identity development, and creating internal and external support networks,” said Martin Castillo, associate vice president and dean of students. “It helps students feel a sense of belonging on our campus and within higher education.”
Making connections for success
East Bay Summer Rise program also introduces student participants to various campus resources, such as academic advisors, financial aid, and Student Equity and Success (SEAS) counselors. These connections help bridge the gap between students and the help they need to be successful.Building a team to power the program
While the Summer Rise program is housed in SEAS, it was developed in partnership with departments working on the Pioneer Pathways initiative. The campus-wide project team included Academic Program and Services, Diversity and Inclusion Student Center, Educational Opportunity Program, Student Life and Leadership, and Institutional Effectiveness & Research.