ICC L.E.A.P. Program Provides Edge For Incoming Freshmen

FULTON, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – Itawamba Community College will host its second L.E.A.P. Summer Bridge program July 5-Aug. 2 on the Fulton Campus.

The program provides an opportunity for a select group of entering freshmen to complete six semester hours before starting their fall semester at ICC.

It is designed to support transition from high school to college, offer a head start toward credits for ICC graduation and prepare participants for college algebra or English composition I by the fall semester, according to Dr. Bronson Prochaska, director of Student Success and Writing Centers.

The program targets students with an ACT math sub-score of 16-18 and/or students with an ACT English sub-score of 14-15, Prochaska said.

Students who meet the criteria will receive an invitation to apply in the mail.

They can also apply for a Federal Pell Grant to cover the cost of the program or pay out-of-pocket.

The estimated cost of the program is $1,100 (commuter) or $1,500 (residential), and it includes tuition, housing (residential only), meals (residential only) and books.

Students will complete intermediate English or intermediate algebra (depending on their ACT sub-scores) and the college life/PACE class for a total of six semester hours.

Evening activities are planned for those living in the residence halls and field trips for all participants.

“The program forms a learning community,” Prochaska said.

“Last summer, in addition to attending classes together, the 50 students from different places lived in the residence halls, studied and ate together and participated in evening activities. In an effort to continue this atmosphere for these students, they will be clustered in classes together during the fall semester. They will establish friendships and a support system.”

2015 participant Kiesha Bradley of Pontotoc said the program helped her “get ahead and get a taste of what college algebra would be like.”

She especially liked the movie nights and bingo. “It’s nice that they weren’t like you’re taking these classes, you can just go to bed. They interacted with the students.”

Shanda Martin of Mooreville participated in the program to learn the basics. “Knowing I could start college algebra in the fall. It gave me a little bit of a leap.” She stressed the importance of “getting to know everyone in the classroom, making connections and working problems together.”

Students in the L.E.A.P. program will also have opportunities to explore careers and talk with professionals in various occupations so that they can have a bird’s eye view of a career in that field, Prochaska said.

For more information, contact Prochaska at (662) 862-8250 or email bgprochaska@iccms.edu.