What is the SJSU Bridges Program?

The San José State University Bridges Program is a partnership with four community colleges: San José City College, Evergreen Valley College, Ohlone College and Chabot College. The program is funded by the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of General Medical Sciences). The goal of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented minority science students who transfer from a community college to a four-year baccalaureate-granting institution.

What type of student majors are qualified to participate in this program?

Serious, dedicated students committed to a science degree program with the ultimate goal of earning a B.A. or B.S., and students contemplating a career in biomedical science research. The program is open to students with majors in: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, or Mathematics. The program doesn’t pertain only to biology majors, since biomedical research is a multidisciplinary effort. Majors like computer science are part of a new specialty called Bioinformatics, a vital part of medical research with respect to identifying genes, gene functions and genetic diseases. The Bridges Program encourages students to continue their education in graduate school seeking a Master’s or Ph. D. degree.

What does the Bridges Program do for participating students?

During the academic year, the Bridges students meet periodically with the program coordinator in their community college. There is also one meeting per month on the San José State University campus. At these meetings the students receive academic advising regarding their majors. The advising goal of the program is to have the students take science courses in their majors so when students transfer, they will be at junior status within their major. The meetings also bring in faculty from SJSU and scientists from research institutes such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and NASA Ames Research Center. Scientists talk to students about their research experience and careers. Students also receive information regarding financial aid, university services and campus life at a four-year baccalaureate-granting institution.

At the end of the spring semester, the students participate in a writing workshop and a biosafety class on the SJSU campus. This is a week-long event from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. This week-long activity prepares the students for participation in a paying summer research internship. The program’s goal is to provide each student participant with at least one summer internship experience. Often, these research internships turn into part time jobs during the academic year. Students who participate in these research related activities will be paid by the Bridges Program. These internships take place in laboratories of research faculty at SJSU and also other research institutions in the greater San Francisco Bay Area like NASA Ames Research Center and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

The following web link is provided for further information on the NIGMS Bridges Program: http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Research/Mechanisms/BridgesBaccalaureate.htm

For information about the SJSU Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program contact the Program Director or the Bridges Program Coordinator at your community college as indicated below.

SJSU Program Director
Adrian Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Phone: 408-924-4846
email: rodriga@email.sjsu.edu

Community College Partnership Coordinators

Chabot College
Agnello Braganza, Ph.D.
Phone: 510-723-6886
email: abraganza@chabotcollege.edu

Evergreen Valley College
Al Gonzalez, MSc
Phone: 408-274-7900 x6259
email: alfred.gonzalez@evc.edu

Ohlone College
Jim Baxter, Ph.D.
Phone: 510-659-6069
email: jbaxter@ohlone.edu

San José City College
Madeline Adamczeski, Ph.D.
Phone: 408-298-2181 x3988
email: madeline.adamczeski@sjcc.edu