Bank of America has given $20,000 to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Charles W. Donaldson Summer Bridge Academy that has been helping incoming freshmen prepare for college-level work since 2013.

John Dominick, Bank of America’s senior vice president and senior treasury sales officer, presented an oversized check to university officials on Wednesday, July 25, at the Bailey Alumni Center. The money will pay for up to 15 students to participate in the academy and get a jumpstart on their academic careers.

“Bank of America is honored to be part of the University of Arkansas’s Summer Bridge Program which will ease transition into college for incoming freshmen,” said Donnie Cook, Arkansas market president, Bank of America. “Our company and our associates across Arkansas are committed to supporting our communities where we live and work and especially those organizations that promote educational opportunities and resources for our young people.”

The Summer Bridge Academy at UA-Little Rock is a four-week program that includes two weeks of online instruction followed by a two-week intensive residential program aimed at preparing incoming freshmen for college-level classes and eliminating any need for remedial courses.

Students who complete the academy save about $1,000 by eliminating remedial math and English courses. They also earn a stipend and get free room and board in university housing during the academy. This Summer Bridge Academy program also offers motivational workshops and special events for the students as they learn strategies for succeeding in college.

This Summer Bridge Academy is open to high school seniors who have been accepted into UA Little Rock and who currently require remedial coursework based on their test scores.

Support from the Bank of America Foundation has provided proven results for students attending the Summer Bridge Program. Engaging in intense academic curriculum that consists of at least four hours of math and four hours of reading and writing per day has shown amazing results.

Last year, 96% of participants bypassed math, 100% bypassed writing, and 92% bypassed reading. To date, the Summer Bridge Program has resulted in a total of 238 course advancements and saved students more than $179,085 in non-credit course fees.

“Year after year, it’s been a success,” Dominick said. “This program is one that needs to be replicated.”

In the upper right photo, UA Little Rock celebrates a donation from Bank of America to the Summer Bridge Academy. Pictured in the front row (L to R) are Christian O’Neal, UA Little Rock vice chancellor for advancement; Charles W. Donaldson; Amber Smith, assistant vice chancellor-student experiences; Lauren Ayers, Bank of America sales associate specialist; Magen Price, Bank of America Arkansas Market manager; Donna Austin, Bank of America financial center manager; John Dominick, Bank of America senior vice president; and Kristi Smith, UA Little Rock senior director of development.