Forty-eight Arizona high school students successfully completed the 2026 JBMSHP Summer Program, gaining an immersive college experience while earning college credit and preparing for future success in STEM. During the residential program, students lived at Barrett, The Honors College residence hall, experiencing campus life firsthand while taking college-level courses. Participants earned college credit in one of the following courses: MAT 117: College Algebra, MAT 170: Pre-Calculus, MAT 265: Calculus for Engineers I, or CSE 110: Principles of Programming. Throughout the program, students attended tutoring sessions and received academic support designed to help them succeed in rigorous college coursework.

Beyond the classroom, students participated in a variety of academic, professional, and enrichment activities that strengthened their college readiness. Highlights included:

• Academic success workshops covering topics such as the college application process, financial aid, professionalism, and developing a STEM identity.
• A college resource fair, student panel discussions about the college admissions journey, and networking opportunities with JBMSHP alumni and Arizona State University faculty and STEM professionals.
• Cultural and campus experiences, including attending Beauty and the Beast at ASU Gammage and hiking ASU's iconic "A" Mountain.
• Educational field trips to OdySea Aquarium and the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks at ASU's Polytechnic campus.

This year's cohort represented 33 Arizona high schools, with 79% of participants identifying as first-generation college-bound students.

Summer bridge programs like the JBMSHP provide students with an early introduction to college expectations while building the academic skills, confidence, and support networks that contribute to long-term success. Research shows that students who participate in these programs are more likely to attend college. Since its founding in 1985, the JBMSHP has served more than 3,200 Arizona students, helping generations of aspiring STEM scholars take the next step toward higher education.