COSAM News Articles 2023 March Images 25th Anniversary Summer Bridge Program Alumni Spotlight: How Abbrianna Robert’s Summer Bridge experience helped her discover a passion for healthcare

25th Anniversary Summer Bridge Program Alumni Spotlight: How Abbrianna Robert’s Summer Bridge experience helped her discover a passion for healthcare

Published: 03/06/2023

By: Leslie Leak

Abbrianna Robert did not have to travel far to attend Auburn University as a freshman in 2017. Originally from New York City, Robert moved to Phenix City with her family when she was in middle school and later graduated from Central High School. The summer after high school graduation, she completed the STEM Summer Bridge Program in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, or COSAM.

In celebration of this year’s 25^th anniversary of Summer Bridge, Robert reflected on her experience in the four-week program that provides incoming freshmen from historically underrepresented groups majoring in STEM fields with academic and social support to excel within COSAM’s rigorous curriculum.

Robert found the most impactful part of the program was getting to hear from current healthcare professionals about their field of work and seeing how passionate they were about their profession.

“This made me realize that I wanted to choose a profession that would allow me to experience that same drive and passion for myself,” said Robert.

Academically, she said the tutoring services she learned about through Bridge helped her throughout various chemistry classes. Through the program, Robert said that she not only found lifelong friends, but that COSAM’s Office of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity was always a place of comfort for her, knowing she would always find support there during a tough week.

“Dr. Kimberly Mulligan was an amazing mentor during my time at Auburn,” Robert said. “She was always there to encourage and support me in anything that I was doing. She celebrated my wins with me and was there when I needed a hug. I cannot thank her enough for the guidance she provided and the strategies she equipped me with to be successful after Auburn!”

Robert enjoyed evenings in the dorm that summer, where after a long day, participants would all hang out in the common area and get to know one another.

“Some of my best friends are people I met during Summer Bridge, and although we went our separate ways after graduation, we keep in contact on social media and via text,” said Robert.

Robert graduated from Auburn in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical sciences and a minor in psychology. She is currently a second-year student pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Duke University with an expected graduation of May 2024.

“Thus far, I have completed a majority of the didactic coursework, and I have developed an interest in neurologic physical therapy,” Robert said. “I am happy to say that I’ve found a profession that I am thoroughly passionate about, and I am excited for what’s to come!”

COSAM will host events throughout the 2022-23 academic year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Summer Bridge. Additionally, there is an initiative to raise $1 million dollars. These funds will be used by the COSAM Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity to support initiatives such as creating an endowed professorship, providing study abroad opportunities, and expanding scholarship availability for deserving students. To learn more about the celebration and to donate, please visit the 25^th Anniversary website.