WILLIMANTIC, CT – On Thursday, May 29 the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Summer Bridge Program began its third year at CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley in Willimantic. This program is funded by the Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts (SFFEA) through the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation. This $40,000 grant covers tuition and educational expenses for students with a combination of classes, field trips, tutoring, and activities.
The objective of this 10-week program is to improve language skills and prepare students for the fall semester as some transition from ESOL to degree paths at Quinebaug Valley. Data from the past two iterations of the program have shown incredible gains, including a 100% completion rate for those who registered for the 2024 fall semester. Elkin Espitia-Loaiza, Quinebaug Valley Professor of ESOL and Spanish, Arts and Humanities, and ESOL Program Coordinator commented on the importance of the program, “Summer is a long time to go without hearing and speaking English for many English Language Learner (ELL) students. This program has proven to be an effective way to bridge that gap; over the past two years we have seen students gain the knowledge and confidence they need to excel at their studies. Without the Summer Bridge, many students would not be able to make the leap from ESOL to credit courses.”
CT State Quinebaug Valley ESOL Student Germán Méndez González shared, “My time in the Summer Bridge program has given me a chance to progress with my education and have more opportunities as I plan my future. I am grateful for the funds that make this experience possible and for what I have been able to accomplish.” CT State Quinebaug Valley Director of Institutional Advancement Monique Wolanin extended her appreciation to the SFFEA, “Sincere thanks are due to the Scripps and Linda Marshall for their continued investments and confidence in our students, faculty, and the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation. Your gift is truly transformative.”
The mission of the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation is to provide scholarships and other financial support to residents of Northeast Connecticut who want to pursue higher education.
For more information on how to support local students at CT State Quinebaug Valley, please contact Director of Institutional Advancement Monique C.K. Wolanin at (860) 932-4174 or [email protected].