Stony Brook University’s third cohort of Simons STEM Scholars completed their six-week Summer Bridge Program with a closing ceremony August 9 that marked the end of an introduction to academic life, leadership and community building.
Known as S3, the group of 42 scholars spent the summer living and learning together in a program designed to prepare them to succeed and thrive as part of the collaborative Simons STEM Scholars community.
“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.”
The Simons STEM Scholars Program was launched in 2022 with a $56.6 million commitment from the Simons Foundation. It offers full scholarships, housing, research opportunities, internship stipends, advising and mentoring to students in STEM fields. The aim is to strengthen the STEM career pathway by providing a comprehensive support system from the first days on campus.
S3 entered as the most competitive cohort in the program’s history, drawing a record number of applicants and setting new academic standards with an average GPA of 97 and an average SAT score of 1450. Among the 42 S3 students are three valedictorians, the program’s first student athlete, its first Regeneron scholar and representation from five states.
The Summer Bridge curriculum included seven college credits in mathematics, psychology and a Simons STEM Scholars curriculum course, along with a non-credit workshop in chemistry, physics or computer science. The academic work was designed to challenge the scholars while giving them a head start on college-level coursework.
Leadership development was a core part of the program. Each week, seven students were chosen as leaders, mentored by campus faculty and staff who offered guidance on inspiring others, making decisions and navigating challenges.
Cabrera emphasized that leadership within the program was about collaboration, not competition. “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,” he said.
Throughout the summer, scholars took part in faculty-led research workshops on a variety of research areas that provided insight into the personal and professional journeys of the presenters. Weekly site visits took the students into laboratories and research facilities both on and off campus.
The program also addressed student well-being. Mental health workshops offered tools for managing stress, maintaining balance and building resilience. A formal etiquette dinner provided guidance on professional networking and conduct, preparing students for future internships, conferences and career opportunities.
Team-building activities encouraged problem-solving and creativity, and helped the scholars form bonds that Cabrera believes will last beyond their time at Stony Brook. One of the final events of the summer, the Simons Summer Games, included “Born to Fly,” an egg drop competition; “Code Your Counselor,” a logic-based tic tac toe contest; and “Chemical Chaos,” a chemistry-based group activity. Each event builds upon one of the three physics, computer science and chemistry workshops the scholars participated in throughout the summer.
Throughout the summer, the cohort worked together to craft a shared vision statement that reflected their values and goals. In it, they emphasized unity, collaboration and the importance of celebrating not just individual successes but the accomplishments of the group as a whole.
“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,” the statement read in part. “Rather than working as individuals, we recognize the effectiveness of working together to uplift each other in academics and social life to ensure cohort success. 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.”
They concluded their statement by declaring themselves “official owners of the Simons STEM Scholars Program” and ready to “stride into our collegiate career as a unified body of leaders, visionaries, professionals, and most importantly, scholars.”
Cabrera noted that the impact of the Bridge Program will extend beyond the summer.
“These students built something bigger than themselves,” he said. “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
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