Radford University and New River Community College (NRCC) celebrated the first class to complete the institutions’ Bridge Program earlier this month.
The “bridging ceremony” took place on Heth Lawn at the heart of Radford University’s campus and symbolized the students’ transition from studying at NRCC to becoming Highlanders at Radford.
The collaboration, also known as NRB2RU, is a rigorous and supportive yearlong residential program that provides review of academic content, tutoring and skill enhancement workshops at both Radford and NRCC. This support gives participants the opportunity to enhance their academic skills before fully enrolling at Radford.
Participants have the fall and spring semesters to earn 21 to 30 transfer credit hours with a minimum 2.0 G.P.A. Students who meet the minimum requirements after completing the academic year at NRCC will then be eligible to enroll at Radford the following fall. The students experience an easier transition into life as a Highlander, and their NRCC academic credits move seamlessly to Radford University.
“Coming into the Bridge Program is like a second chance for me,” said 2021 Bridge Program graduate Anthony Dildy, a Fredericksburg native who will enter Radford as a sophomore in the fall of 2021. “I graduated from high school in 2018 and applied to several colleges but didn’t get accepted. Radford gave me this opportunity, and I am more than willing to take it. The Bridge Program was the extra step I needed to be ready to become a Radford student.”
Lincoln Brady, from Hillsville, joined Dildy in the graduation lineup and agreed with his thoughts on the additional chance that the program gives students to earn their degrees.
“It’s an amazing opportunity,” Brady said. “I want to teach English and be able to change kids’ lives. Radford is a beautiful campus and has great faculty. This program will help me succeed when I start classes here this fall.”
Radford and NRCC plan to continue the program this fall by accepting a second cohort of students.
Mark Lambert
Radford University