Stony Brook University marked the completion of its third Simons STEM Scholars Summer Bridge Program with a ceremony on August 9. The six-week program, known as S3, brought together 42 students for an intensive introduction to academic life, leadership training, and community building.
The Simons STEM Scholars Program was established in 2022 with a $56.6 million donation from the Simons Foundation. It provides full scholarships, housing, research opportunities, internship stipends, advising, and mentoring to students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The initiative aims to support students from their first days on campus through a comprehensive support system.
Erwin Cabrera, executive director of the program, said: “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. They formed study groups, worked together on projects, and lifted each other up. They knew they were not alone.”
This year’s cohort was described as the most competitive yet for S3. The group had an average GPA of 97 and an average SAT score of 1450. Among them were three valedictorians as well as the program’s first student athlete and Regeneron scholar. Students came from five different states.
During the summer session, participants earned seven college credits in mathematics and psychology while also taking part in non-credit workshops covering chemistry, physics or computer science. Faculty-led research workshops exposed scholars to various research areas and professional journeys within STEM fields.
Leadership development played a central role in the curriculum. Each week saw seven scholars selected as leaders who received mentorship from faculty and staff focused on decision-making and guiding others through challenges.
Cabrera explained: “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.”
Mental health workshops addressed stress management and resilience-building strategies while team-building activities encouraged problem-solving skills among participants. Events such as an etiquette dinner prepared students for future networking opportunities.
One highlight was the Simons Summer Games—a series of competitions designed around concepts from physics (“Born to Fly” egg drop), computer science (“Code Your Counselor” tic tac toe contest), and chemistry (“Chemical Chaos”). These events reinforced lessons learned during academic workshops earlier in the summer.
Throughout their time together at Stony Brook University Research & Innovation facilities both on- and off-campus—students crafted a shared vision statement emphasizing unity: “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,” read part of their statement. “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…prepared to succeed…through inclusion diversity.”
They concluded by stating they are now “official owners” ready to begin their collegiate careers “as a unified body of leaders visionaries professionals—and most importantly scholars.”
“These students built something bigger than themselves,” Cabrera said at closing ceremonies. “They created a community where success is shared and where every member lifts others up. That is how you create change—not just on campus—but in the world.”—Beth Squire
