BRIDGES TO B E L M O N T BELL TOW ER SCHOLAR S
MISSION Our mission is to provide an environment and support services that afford Bell Tower Scholars the opportunity to successfully transition from high school to Belmont University. The program seeks to challenge, support and nurture the academic, personal and spiritual growth of each Bell Tower Scholar. Each Bell Tower Scholar will be afforded the opportunity to achieve collegiate success through the academic and personal support provided through the Bridges to Belmont program.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND SUCCESS The Bridges to Belmont Student Success staff provides foundational academic support and guidance to Bell Tower Scholars as they transition from high school to Belmont University and offers ongoing support throughout their entire academic career. One of the specific goals of the program is to provide scholars with the opportunity to enhance their academic performance and skill set as they transition into and progress though their majors. Various opportunities are offered for academic support including: • A stair-step study hall system designed to encourage reflection and the development of time management and learning strategies. • Tutoring, which is offered in multiple formats, including personalized 1:1 course-specific tutoring, drop-in general tutoring, small group tutoring and academic skills tutoring. • Individual interventions with program staff. • Workshops that focus not only on academic skills and abilities, but also mindset and personal growth. Ultimately, the Student Success staff strives to motivate, encourage and support scholars as they become intentional, self-directed, independent learners.
S C H O L A R S H I P E X P E C TAT I O N S AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Bell Tower Scholars experience equips and empowers scholars to not only successfully matriculate to Belmont, but to ultimately earn a degree from Belmont as well. Some key components of the Bell Tower Scholars experience include: • Summer Academy, which is a 6–9 week summer bridge program on campus. This entails for-credit coursework, panels, workshops and engaging events to best prepare for the college environment at Belmont. • The Bell Tower scholarship is a last-dollar and residential scholarship. Scholars are expected to live on campus during the fall and spring semesters, during which time room, board and meal plans are covered by the scholarship. • Scholars are expected to uphold a list of Scholar Expectations. • The Bridges to Belmont Student Success staff offers scholars multifaceted support that focuses on developing effective study skills, conscientious time management skills and academic self-efficacy. Details are outlined on the previous page. • 48 hours of community service volunteering within the Nashville community each semester. • Participation in the Bell Tower Scholars Mentoring Program, which pairs scholars with Belmont faculty or staff mentors for the duration of their college career; Scholars are also matched with a peer mentor upon entrance to Summer Academy. • Access to additional career and professional development support, including 1:1 coaching related to internships, resumes, cover letters, grad school applications and other aspects of professional growth.
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS • In May of 2017, the first group of scholars graduated from Belmont. 2022 was our biggest graduating class yet, with 16 Scholars. We now have 94 alumni. • In 2022, the program celebrated its first 2 Nursing graduates. • 2 Scholars will attend Belmont’s College of Law in Fall 2022. • A former Bridges scholar was chosen to serve as one of the Board of Trustees Regents. • On average, 35% of Scholars make the Dean’s List every semester. • On average, 54% of Bridges Scholars have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. • Bridges Scholars are active leaders within the Belmont community. They hold membership and leadership positions in over 20 different student organizations including SGA and Greek Life. Three scholars have earned the Bruin Award for Student Leadership, which is the highest honor for a student leader at Belmont. • Each academic year, Scholars contribute more than 10,000 hours of community service to the city of Nashville; during the summer term, Bridges Scholars consistently complete over 500 service hours collectively. • In partnership with Belmont’s Office of Study Abroad, the scholarship program has been able to send scholars abroad during their collegiate experience. Scholars have studied in Scotland, Ireland, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Italy and more.
Bridges to Belmont 1900 Belmont Boulevard Nashville, TN 37212 615.460.8408 BELMONT.EDU/BELL-TOWER-SCHOLARS
Nondiscrimination statement: Belmont University is a Christian community. The University faculty, administration, and staff uphold Jesus as the Christ and as the measure for all things. As a community seeking to uphold Christian standards of morality, ethics, and conduct, Belmont University holds high expectations of each person who chooses to join the community. In compliance with federal law, including provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Belmont University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, or sexual orientation in its administration of education policies programs or activities; its admissions policies; or employment. Consistent with applicable civil rights law, the University seeks employees of Christian faith who are committed to the mission of the University. The University has appointed the director of the Office of Human Resources to serve as coordinator of compliance with Title VII and IX issues and questions for staff and faculty. The Director of Title IX Compliance and Prevention Programs serves as coordinator of compliance for Title IX issues and questions for students. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to: Lauri Chaudoin, Director, Title IX Compliance and Prevention Programs, Freeman Hall, 3rd Floor, 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212. Phone: 615.460.5661. Email: lauri.chaudoin@belmont.edu. Leslie Lenser, Chief Human Resources Officer/Sr. Director & Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Office of Human Resources, Fidelity Hall, Room 426, 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212. Phone: 615.460.6456. Email: leslie.lenser@belmont.edu. For more information on Belmont’s nondiscrimination policy, visit www.belmont.edu/nondiscrimination. B2B-224212