CEAT Summer Bridge Program, Oklahoma State University
Mentee: Aaron Corona
Years Matched: Four
Brooke Ryan is a fifth-year architecture student at Oklahoma State University. She and mentee Aaron Corona have been matched for four years.
“Brooke cares deeply about mentoring freshman students, and they gain so much from their interaction with her as a head counselor in the CEAT Summer Bridge Program,” said Jordan Blackburn, coordinator of Student Retention Services. “Brooke knows the importance of making sure incoming freshmen feel like they have someone to talk to if they have any questions as they transition into college life. Brooke has been a superb example of what a counselor and mentor should be.”
Ryan started mentoring Aaron Corona when he was a freshman participant in the program. Aaron has since become a counselor himself and a partner in helping Ryan run the program. Ryan shared, “Aaron is very passionate about mentoring and the CEAT program and loves to share that with younger students, just like I did with him.”
“Mentoring is important to show others that they aren’t the first to go through something and they are not alone. Having someone to talk to, learn from, and get advice from is important for everyone to have,” said Ryan.
About the Program: The Summer Bridge program helps introduce incoming freshmen to the courses, people and activities of OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. The two-and-a-half-week program includes mini-courses in pre-calculus, physics and tech writing, as well as design projects and team building. The program is led by 11 counselors, with each assigned a small group of five to six students to oversee. In addition, the counselors assist with class attendance, design projects, group activities and study hall.
