Summer Bridge and First-Year Experience Leadership, Empowerment and Discovery (LEAD)
Available to Incoming Freshman in Fall 2025
Join Us for LEAD this Summer!
A Summer Bridge and First-Year Experience Program
LEAD is a FREE year-long program that is focused on increasing first-year undergraduate students’ sense of belonging at UWSP. The program is aimed at providing a supportive community that promotes student success by getting first-year undergraduate students ahead and ready to start their college careers. It focuses on campus resources, transitioning into college, student success skills, social and enrichment activities, and the development of future campus leaders.
NEW FALL 2025!
LEAD participants will be part of the LEAD Community Experience, which resides in Burroughs Hall. This community is intended to encourage community engagement and belonging, mentorship, career development, and personal development.
Participants will be able to:
- Be admitted to the LEAD program though the application process set for by the Diversity and College Access (DCA) Office.
- Move in 1 week early and participate in the 1 week Bridge Program (August 23-28th, 2025).
- Have the opportunity to apply for one of fifteen $1,000 scholarships.
- Attend at least 3 events per semester coordinated by peer mentors, the residence hall team, LEAD program, and DCA Office.
- Attend at least 3 peer mentor meetings per semester.
- Create a resume and have a Handshake account with professional photo.
- Engage in the LEAD community experience constructively, contributing to a supportive environment that fosters the success and well-being of all its members.
Summer Bridge Program Date
August 23 – 28, 2025
Tentative Schedule:
- 8/23 – Move-in day
- 8/24 – Mt. Olympus Theme Park, Wisconsin Dells
- 8/25 – 8/28 To Be Announced
Cost: FREE!
Scholarship: Participants will have the opportunity to apply for one of fifteen $1,000 scholarships. More information will be provided to participants during LEAD Week (August 23-28, 2025)
Application Deadline
- Priority application due: March 31, 2025 (Notification by May 31, 2025)
- Regular application due: April 30, 2025 (Notification by June 30, 2025 – subject to remaining openings)
- Late application due: June 15, 2025 (Notification by July 31, 2025 – subject to remaining openings)
Eligibility
- Meet UW-Stevens Point’s admission requirements and commit to enrolling in UW-Stevens Point for the upcoming fall 2025 semester
- Identify with one or more of the following groups:
- First-generation college student (neither parent received a bachelor’s degree)
- Socioeconomic statues (financial need based on FAFSA)
- Students who have experience with foster care, out-of-home care(kinship care, guardianship, group home placement), homelessness, or were an orphan or ward of the court.
- International students are not eligible; for UWSP Main Campus students only.
Academic Year Programming
- One-Week Transition Program Experience: Participants move into Burroughs hall a week early to ease their transition from high school to college.
- Peer Mentorship: Each student is paired with an undergraduate peer mentor (sophomore to senior level) for support throughout their first-year experience.
- DCA Success Coach: Assigned student services coordinators offer support, connecting students to resources for personal, academic, and professional development.
- Monthly Social and Community Engagement: Planned activities for ongoing social and community engagement.
- Student Engagement Centers: MRC, NAC, QRC, and Student Success Center offer educational, social, and community programs/events throughout the academic year.
- Participant Cost: FREE!
Contact Us
Tana De Lonay, Student Success Center Coordinator
Student Services Center 220B
1108 Fremont Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
dca.lead@uwsp.edu | (715) 346-2061 or DCA@uwsp.edu |715-346-3225
“I just loved the whole experience and felt like I’ve gained so many things from it intellectually and spiritually.”
-2022 LEAD Student
