Washington Adventist University’s Rising Scholars Program
TAKOMA PARK, MD – The Rising Scholars Program at Washington Adventist University (WAU) offers a unique opportunity for students who don’t initially meet traditional admissions requirements. Dr. Ralph Johnson provided an in-depth look at the program’s evolution, objectives, and outcomes during a recent interview.
Originally known as “The Bridge Program,” the Rising Scholars Program began around 2008 or 2009 as a summer initiative. Students who applied to WAU but didn’t meet standard admissions criteria could attend the summer program to enhance their academic preparedness. If successful, they could then be admitted for the ensuing fall semester. Dr. Johnson noted, “It predated my arrival to WAU, but once I joined, we made some adjustments to the summer program over the years.”
However, as time went on, fewer students were willing to dedicate their summer to the program. This led to its transformation from a summer initiative to a fall semester program. Unlike the previous setup where students were admitted to WAU only after successfully completing the summer program, the new model offered students conditional acceptance. “If they completed the semester with at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA, they transitioned from conditional status to regularly matriculating students,” Dr. Johnson explained.
The new curriculum is tailored to individual needs. All students must take a math and English course, and their placement in these courses depends on their respective placement test scores. Other courses aimed at improving their study and critical thinking skills have also been added to the program.
Due to concerns of possible stigma attached to the term “Bridge,” the program was renamed “Rising Scholars.” Despite the name change, its core objective remained unchanged: to provide students an opportunity to showcase their academic abilities.
When asked about the program’s success rate, Dr. Johnson was candid, “The success is largely based on students’ willingness to participate. We provide the opportunity and set clear expectations. There have been some phenomenal success stories, but there have also been students who did not capitalize on the opportunity.” He recalled recent Rising Scholars who returned for their second semester and were inducted into the freshman Honors Society. On the flip side, he noted that those who didn’t do well usually failed because they didn’t put in the necessary work.
The WAU community supports these students wholeheartedly. Dr. Johnson mentioned that the university’s president Dr. Weymouth Spence, and provost Dr. Cheryl Kisunzu visit the Rising Scholars every year, a gesture that underscores the institution’s commitment to their success.
In conclusion, the Rising Scholars Program at Washington Adventist University demonstrates a genuine commitment to offering students a second chance at educational access, academic success, highlighting the power of resilience, adaptability, and community support.
The Betty Howard Center for Student Success oversees the Rising Scholars Program. Students in the program engage with Dr. Ralph Johnson, Dean Fitzroy Thomas and Dr. Betty Johnson to bolster their opportunity for success. The center lauds their achievements.