Uniting for Student Success: SummerStart Program Is a Collaborative Effort

Every June, a group of incoming first-year students arrives on campus to participate in SummerStart, an initiative of Retention and Student Success. The six-week program gives participating students an opportunity to build a strong foundation for a successful Syracuse University experience.

This year’s SummerStart cohort, which arrived on June 29, includes 121 students from all of the University’s schools and colleges. As participants in the program, the students will earn 7-9 credits toward their degree, learn about and access campus resources, make connections with faculty and classmates, and experience a sense of community, says Kal Srinivas, director of retention and student success. The initiative brings together various University departments, demonstrating the power of teamwork in fostering a supportive and enriching environment for incoming students, she says.

121 students participated in this year’s SummerStart program to receive an early acclimation to campus life. (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

“From the moment they step onto campus, SummerStart students are met with a comprehensive network of support designed to address both their academic and personal needs,” Srinivas says.

SummerStart students also benefit from tutoring services in math and writing and resources like the Summer Start Guide to the Libraries. They also participate in social activities like Department of Public Safety (DPS) game nights, ropes course challenges, a resource fair and other group activities. DPS also conducts safety workshops and the Barnes Center at The Arch offers the Together We Thrive initiative to cultivate a culture of compassion, connection and well-being.

First-year student Tae Callam arrived at Syracuse from Cleveland. The biomedical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science says the SummerStart experience has already helped her acclimate to campus life and meet new people. And her coursework, particularly in writing, has helped her develop her language skills as a non-native English speaker, she says.

“I am so glad that I have this opportunity to participate in SummerStart,” Callam says. “Even in the first week of SummerStart, I have become familiar with the campus, got a head start on my academics and made friends. What more could anyone ask for?”

Srinivas emphasizes the collaborative nature of SummerStart, which also involves Student Experience, Hendricks Chapel, Auxiliary Services and other administrative units.

“SummerStart is not just a program; it is a testament to what can be achieved when an entire institution works together with a common goal,” she says. “By combining resources, expertise and a shared commitment to student success, Syracuse University has created a nurturing environment that prepares students for both academic and personal growth.”