Natalie Osuna

Director of Culinary Arts-South Plains College

 

I joined the Bridges program my first year of college, a time when I did not have a set educational path I wanted to follow. I was a first generation college student taking general core courses that were necessary for majority of degree plans. When I was first introduced to the Bridges program, I did not know at the time how greatly this program would influence my education and career choices. While I was with Bridges, I was exposed to all different areas of higher education. I was given opportunities to work (with pay) first hand with PHD Professors on undergraduate research projects and present my research at conferences. This not only helped me grow as an academic, but also aided me financially. The Bridges program also lead me to my first visit to Washington DC, which opened my eyes to city life, different cultures, and many historical museums and landmarks. During my time with Bridges, Dr. Canas and Dr. Driver were always a call or email away. They both went above and beyond to guide students in the best direction for our educational goals. I will be forever grateful to this program because it made me realize that I wanted a career as an educator. I got to see into the day to day careers of Professors, the way they guided students, how they developed curriculum and conducted research. I knew from then on that it would be a dream of mine to teach at the collegiate level.

 

 

 

 

Bradon Loya, MD

 

B.S. Physics with Honors, May 2013

Texas Tech Health Sciences Center

Resident Physician of Family Medicine

 

The bridges program was a great first step that helped tremendously in my effort to go from a small town West Texas boy to achieving acceptance at an ivy league university, interning at NASA, working with nuclear weapons, and ultimately becoming a Licenced Pysician. Having a successful career path requires taking small steps towards a larger goal. Nobody becomes the captain of a ship overnight. The bridges program provides every tool possible to break down barriers that allows it's students too aspire to reach great success.

 

 

 

Stephanie K. Ramos

STEM Leaders Program Coordinator (Website: stemleaders.oregonstate.edu)

 

Bridges provided me with a strong network and mentorship that has extended from community college and beyond into my professional career. As the first in my family to go to college, I was set on going to nursing school, but Bridges opened the possibility of other areas of study. I fell in love with chemistry after learning that research was a thing and ended up getting my bachelors and master's degrees in chemistry. Bridges showed me that no matter where you come from you can excel and thrive if only you ask for what you need. So ask your peers, your TA's, your instructors, the Bridges staff, and anyone who will listen for help and guidance when you feel stuck. I found my love for science and education, lifelong mentorship, and a sense of belonging through Bridges and I know that you will too if you push yourself out of your comfort zone. Bridges showed me that I wasn't alone in my academic journey and now I get the chance to give back to others and for that I am forever grateful for this program.

 

 

 

 

Ankit Atul Shah

 

Just graduated college of pharmacy 2019 and studying for boards

 

The Bridges program introduced me to the world of science and research and I gained a lot of knowledge about the process of getting a PhD. I communicated with a lot of intelligent and driven  like minded professionals.

 

 

 

 

Marisol Chavez Alonzo

B. S. in Human Development and Family Studies, 2016

M.Ed. in Special Education, 2018

PH. D. in Educational Leadership and Policy, 2023

 

Administrator, Financial Conflict of Interest, Office of Research and Integrity at Texas Tech University

 

The Bridges program ignited my zeal for research, and empowerment to represent the underrepresented minorities in STEM towards higher education. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy at Texas Tech University. Upon completion, I want to bridge the gap between local, state, and federal policy and practice between administrators, teachers, and parents for successful and positive outcomes in children with disabilities in the most vulnerable communities.

During my time as a Bridge’s Scholar, I found my passion, my motivation, and my window of opportunity. My passion was discovered through my summer research experience, at the Burkhart Center, where I received my first publication in autism research. My motivation was revealed when I saw the need; the need to represent the underrepresented in higher education, the need of diversity in STEM, and the need in the lack there of in the representation of Latino families in autism research. My window of opportunity came through the networking and the knowledge gained from the hands-on summer research experience, the Bridges workshops, the motivational speakers, and the SACNAS Conferences.

I have learned along the way that you get what you put into this program. Your diligence will determine your success. I cannot put into words how blessed we are to have this amazing program available to us.

Kristin Tovar

M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy, May 2014

B.S. Human Development and Family Studies, May 2012

A.S. Arts and Science, May 2010

 

     My last year at SPC I joined the Bridges Program. I was unsure what I was getting myself into. The one thing I was sure of was that the program would open up a lot of doors for me. That is exactly what it did. Since I joined the program, I have been to multiple conferences, learned about great organizations to join at Tech, gained some great friendships, and figured out what I really want to do with my life. At SPC, I started off pre-med and when I transferred to Texas Tech I studied, Human Development and Family Studies. There, it wasn’t until the December before I graduated that I wanted to earn my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. Without the contacts I gained from being in the Bridges program, my support would not have been as strong as it was. I had outstanding letters of recommendation from people I knew only because I participated in the Bridges program. I have graduated with my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy in May of 2014, and I look back on my journey and realize how many doors opened to me all because I joined The Plains Bridges to the Baccalaureate Program.

Stephanie K. Pleasant

B.S. Chemistry, May 2014

TTU/HHMI Scholar

ACS Scholar

 

      The Bridge Program has been the stepping-stone and door opener for many different opportunities that would not otherwise be possible. When I think of the Bridge Program I think of the chance to be successful in any aspect of life that I so desire. After switching majors from nursing to chemistry the Bridge Program afforded me the opportunity attend my first national American Chemical Society Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. After conducting my first summer research project I was able to present at conferences across the country from Hawaii to New York.

Along with my conference traveling I have held research positions in both Washington with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Opportunities in Genomics Research in Saint Louis, Missouri. The plethora of scholarships I have obtained from the assistance of the program directors has far exceeded my expectations. I have been able to pay for college, because of their help. My biggest accomplishment was being accepted into the TTU-Howard Hughes Medical Institute Program, because of the previous work I had completed as a Bridge student.

My favorite thing about the Bridges Program is traveling to the SACNAS Conference. You get a better understanding of science and how others really want nothing more than to help you succeed in life. If I could give you any advice it would be to take a chance on learning something new. The best feeling in life is having a group of people that support you no matter what field or career you choose. By being a Bridge student you will be able network with other students, scientists, and researchers while gaining valuable mentors along the way.

As a Bridge student I have gained confidence in myself. I know that wherever I may go in life I will take the skills that I have been taught along the way such as: letter writing, networking, and knowing when to ask for help. These skills that I have learned will be an invaluable asset as I move forward in my academic and professional career.

Andi Flores

B.S. Biochemistry, May 2014

 

     Before I even knew about the Bridges program I would have never thought of myself to become the future aspirer as I am today in the science world. The first time I heard of the program I was sitting in my chemistry class and watched in on these Bridges students present their research to the class, and at that very moment I knew I had to become a part of this program. Joining in the program was probably the best thing that has happened to me in my whole college experience. While in the program I have made many friends along the journey, but most importantly the experience that was given to me was probably more than money could buy. Also while attending South Plains College I was working on my associates in arts and science.  I have to admit I did have to step up my game being that I am a little competitive, to continue on. Being beside students who were literally in the same shoes as myself felt reassuring that I was where I was supposed to be. Transferring out was even of an experience for me. Since then I am now attending West Texas A & M University where I plan on receiving my bachelors in biochemistry. I still keep in contact with advisors and my friends in the program even though I chose a different route than Texas Tech. I miss the program and the entire experience. One thing is for sure the memories I gained with the Bridges program are the ones I hope to remember forever.