The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) held a banquet for its Summer Bridge Program in the student center at Cerritos College Thursday, Aug. 9.

The EOPS Summer Bridge Program is a 6-week program that offers recent high school graduates priority registration to enroll in a counseling 10 class as well as either an English 20 or an English 52 class. These classes, along with counselors, are available for students to help prepare for the fall semester. These three classes are the only classes offered in the Summer Bridge Program.

The EOPS Summer Bridge Program also offers students employment through a work study program.

EOPS Assistant Director Yvette Tafoya explains what students can gain from the program.

“They have the English skills they need and they have made connections amongst our colleagues, and they are also offered an opportunity to work on campus through our work study program and they have made connections there as well.”

Undecided major Nakia Starnes, a first-time student with the EOPS said that she has learned about early registration after finishing the Summer Bridge Program and is prepared for the fall, but feels there is still room for guidance.

EOPS Assistant and part-time counselor Robert Aguayo said he feels privileged to be a part of the Summer Bridge Program.

“For me, it’s just a privilege to have the tools to give to the students so they can be ready for the fall and spring and everything else in front of them.”

According to Aguayo, Summer Bridge Program students mature and gain confidence after completing the program.

“I see them developing the rapport even better than in the summer because things in the summer are different than in the fall. They go at a different pace.”

For more information on programs offered through EOPS, as well as eligibility requirements, students can go to the EOPS office located in the Administration Building, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the month of August.

See the Cerritos College EOPS page here.