By Donna Keeya and Amanda Sebesta

Long-term success isn’t accomplished overnight. That’s why one Bauer College program connects students to a village of support through both professional and interpersonal growth opportunities. 

The Deloitte Summer Bridge Program is a partnership between Bauer and Deloitte, focusing on supporting first-generation and transfer students pursuing degrees in accounting, finance or management information systems. It offers workshops on financial literacy, LinkedIn and career readiness.  

Its initial pilot in 2022 included 23 students and only lasted a week, but now in its third year, the program has served more than 100 students and expanded into a year-long initiative. 

Glenys Yevi, an international student from South Africa, found her footing in the program before stepping into her first Bauer class. 

“It was a great way to get started early,” Yevi said. “I made close friends who I still talk to daily, got to network with Deloitte professionals and gained mentors who have supported me every step of the way.” 

Yevi has since completed internships at KPMG and a consulting rotation in Malaysia, all while maintaining a 3.8 GPA and leading student organizations like the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and serving as a Bauer Ambassador. 

Transfer student Montserrat Garcia also found the program transformative. A first-generation college student and mother of two, Garcia was initially hesitant to join but ultimately found a community that helped her thrive. 

"You could tell the staff cared. They put their heart into it,” she said. “This program helped me see school not as something I had to do but something I get to do.” 

Garcia went on to intern as a business intelligence analyst at Perry Homes and built lasting professional relationships through the experience. 

While the program always capped off with a site visit to Deloitte's Houston office, Undergraduate Business Programs Admissions and Recruitment Director Joyce Williams recalls how the program reshaped over time. 

"Once we had them for that one week in the summer, we realized we couldn't just let them go," Williams said. "They kept coming to visit, kept asking for more. They became a cohort, a family." 

The experience includes academic advising, career workshops, mentorship and even wellness programming like mental health check-ins and social outings. Deloitte has also increased its financial commitment from $15,000 in the first year to $60,000, which has enabled more events, graduation celebrations and student support. 

"The partnership with Deloitte has allowed us to do so much more for our students. From site visits and speaker panels to field trips and even hiring some of the students to work with the program," Williams said. "It’s been a blessing." 

Brian Moreno, assistant director of Recruitment, Admissions and Partner Relations, who also helps lead the program, emphasizes the importance of the personalized attention students receive.

"We work hard to make sure no one feels like just another face in the crowd. Whether it's printing résumés at the last minute or connecting students to internship leads, we try to meet them where they are," he said.

Looking ahead, the program aims to continue expanding with the help of returning alumni who are eager to give back. Many, like Yevi and Garcia, have expressed interest in mentoring future cohorts.

"Our hope is that this becomes a cycle of success," Williams said. "Students join, grow and then turn around to lift up the next group. That’s how we build lasting impact."