A Bridge to Academic Excellence Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Spring awards ceremony honors 50 high school and middle school students for their participation in the tutoring and mentoring program

By Becky Ceraul
May 10, 2010

A Bridge to Academic Excellence (ABAE), a collaborative community service program between the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and the other graduate schools on the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, celebrated its 10th anniversary on May 1 with a spring awards ceremony. More than 50 high school and middle school students and their families gathered in the Medical School Teaching Facility to be recognized for their participation in the tutoring and mentoring program.

Founded in 2000, ABAE aims to improve learning outcomes in math, science and SAT tests in middle and high school students through tutoring and mentoring. The free program also enhances students’ interest in the professions of pharmacy, dentistry, law, medicine, physical therapy, nursing, and social work and other science and technology careers and hopes to increase the number of applicants from urban areas to the School of Pharmacy and the other UMB schools.

Tutoring sessions are held at the School of Pharmacy for two hours most Saturday mornings from late September to early May. ABAE provides tutoring in Algebra I and II, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry, Chemistry, Biology, English/Writing, and SAT Verbal and Math. Participants receive group and one-on-one tutoring. Further, ABAE has partnered with a local pharmacy technician training program and offers tutoring in math to that program’s students.

Students participating in ABAE receive academic information and clarification of learning concepts from the tutors, while gaining important insights on career choices and advanced educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEM). Tutors learn important communication skills that will aid them in their careers and serve as the role models that young adults need while helping to shape the minds of our future generations.

Additionally, ABAE provides free breakfast and transportation from high schools in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. It also has a parent program that focuses on financing a college education, a spring career fair, a holiday celebration in December, and an Annual Spring Awards and Recognition Ceremony in May.

During the 2009-2010 academic year, 115 elementary, middle, and high school students from 76 schools registered for ABAE. This year, 150 pharmacy, dental, law, medical, nursing, social work, and physical therapy students from the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus volunteered over 30,000 hours of tutoring, mentoring, and planning services.

The keynote speaker for the awards ceremony was Tovah Dorsey, a student at the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine who participated in ABAE in 2003 and 2004 as a high school senior. In addressing the students she said, “Really take time to determine for yourself what you want your tomorrow to bring and start preparing now for that goal. That’s where programs like ABAE and summer internships come into play.”

Margaret Hayes, director of strategic initiatives at the School of Pharmacy and ABAE advisor, urged the students to find something for which they have passion. “Prepare for it, and take advantage of this program. Our campus’ students are here to help you get to where you want to go.”