Stony Brook University’s third cohort of Simons STEM Scholars concluded their six-week Summer Bridge Program with a closing ceremony on August 9. The program, known as S3, brought together 42 students for an intensive introduction to academic life, leadership, and community engagement.
The Simons STEM Scholars Program began in 2022 with a $56.6 million commitment from the Simons Foundation. It provides full scholarships, housing, research opportunities, internship stipends, advising, and mentoring to students pursuing STEM degrees. The initiative is designed to support students from their first days on campus through a comprehensive network of resources.
This year’s group was the most competitive yet for the program. The cohort was selected from a record number of applicants and had an average GPA of 97 and SAT score of 1450. Among the scholars were three valedictorians, the program’s first student athlete, its first Regeneron scholar, and students representing five states.
During the Summer Bridge Program, participants earned seven college credits in mathematics, psychology, and a specialized curriculum course for Simons STEM Scholars. They also took part in non-credit workshops in chemistry, physics, or computer science aimed at preparing them for college-level work.
Leadership development played a significant role in the program. Each week saw seven different students chosen as leaders who received guidance from faculty and staff on how to inspire others and address challenges collaboratively.
“A big part of this program is helping the students to take care of each other, and that’s part of why the previous cohorts have been so successful,” said Erwin Cabrera, executive director of the Simons STEM Scholars Program. “They formed study groups, worked together on projects, and lifted each other up. They knew they were not alone.”
Cabrera added: “The scholars came in as leaders from high school, but leadership here wasn’t just about standing out; it was about stepping back when needed, making space for others, and lifting the collective.”
Throughout the summer session, students participated in faculty-led research workshops covering various scientific topics. Site visits allowed them access to laboratories both on campus and at other locations.
The program included mental health workshops focusing on stress management and resilience-building. A formal etiquette dinner provided training in professional networking for future internships or conferences.
Team-building exercises such as problem-solving activities fostered collaboration among scholars. One highlight was the Simons Summer Games featuring events like an egg drop competition called “Born to Fly,” a logic-based tic tac toe contest named “Code Your Counselor,” and “Chemical Chaos,” which was based on chemistry group activities.
At summer’s end, the cohort developed a shared vision statement emphasizing unity and collaboration: “As Simons STEM Scholars, we emphasize the importance of unity and celebrating not only our individual accomplishments, but our accomplishments as a whole as we work towards becoming a cohort... Through collaboration, mentorship, and a culture of belonging, we cultivated a cohesive cohort of scholars prepared to succeed and pursue impact through inclusion and diversity.” The statement concluded with their readiness to begin their collegiate careers together.
“These students built something bigger than themselves,” Cabrera said at the close of the event. “They created a community where success is shared and where every member lifts the others up. That is how you create change, not just on a campus, but in the world.”— Beth Squire