About BRIDGE
BRIDGE is a mentorship program in partnership with School District 23 and UBC Okanagan, created to help students confidently navigate the transition from high school to post-secondary. The program connects Grade 12 students with UBCO mentors to foster meaningful relationships, build a sense of community, and develop the academic and personal skills needed for success beyond graduation.
Through monthly sessions—both in-person and virtual—students explore university life, set goals, and reflect on their personal and academic growth. Experiences include hands-on lab activities, UBCO campus visits, mentor shadowing, and meaningful conversations about academic supports, maintaining wellness, and building connections.
BRIDGE focuses on one-on-one mentorship for secondary school students entering university, where each student receives personalized guidance from a UBCO student mentor for a full academic year. Extensive research has shown that personalized, long-term, and consistent connections significantly enhance mentorship outcomes. The evidence is clear: relationships matter.
Personalized Mentorship
The BRIDGE program includes hands-on, immersive learning opportunities that bring post-secondary experiences to life. By learning alongside their mentors in various settings through UBCO and SD23, secondary students engage in activities that build competencies and confidence needed for post-secondary success, preparing them for a smoother transition.
Experiential Learning
A central goal of BRIDGE is to create a strong sense of community and belonging. Mentors and mentees are thoughtfully paired based on similar academic interests and career goals, ensuring relevant and meaningful connections. The program is intentionally gender-diverse and program-diverse, creating inclusive spaces where all students feel seen and supported.