RISE Annual Newsletter 2023
A Crash Course in College Life:
Perspectives from the RISE Summer Academy
Jonathan Rosado
Classification: Freshman
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Q: What is the RISE Academy and why did you choose to participate in the program?
Rosado: The RISE Academy is a 5-week residential summer enrichment program to help you familiarize yourself with the campus and campus life before the fall semester begins. During the summer, RISE Academy students complete the first MATH course required for our engineering major. We also lived in the residence hall and participated in an experiential learning opportunity.
I had nothing planned for the summer and it was a really good program because we could get MATH241 out of the way, participate in undergraduate research, and it was inexpensive.
Q: What was your favorite part about it?
Rosado: Getting through the program with my classmates. Things would get chaotic or stressful but we would just stay up late helping each other, doing homework, or chill out playing games or binge watch a show. Also, the social events like the Main Event were really fun because we were able to break away from the usual and do something new and cool.
Q: How did this experience help you prepare for your college career?
Rosado: It provided me with a decent community of people and friends that I know I can receive help from or just hang out during the academic year. It also shifted my mindset, giving me a head start for the upcoming fall semester. I was already equipped for the workload, the expectations of lectures and coursework. I was ready to begin the fall semester!
– Hannah Armstrong
Axel Rodriguez-Leon
Classification: Freshmen
Major: Computer Science w/ Game Design Minor
Q: Why did you participate in the RISE Academy?
Rodriguez-Leon: I wanted to take advantage of an opportunity to take my first math class. I wanted to be able to build relationships, know the campus better, and take advantage of the experiential learning opportunity.
What was your favorite part about it?
Rodriguez-Leon: My favorite parts were the extracurricular activities on weekends. The trips and social events we attended on Saturdays, in addition to spending time together in the dorms.
How did this experience help you prepare for your college career?
Rodriguez-Leon: This experience prepared me for my career because it provided my immediate access to a support system and a community at the beginning that will allow me to succeed in my career moving forward.
– Hannah Armstrong