{"id":61794,"date":"2016-05-09T14:00:38","date_gmt":"2016-05-09T18:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=61794"},"modified":"2020-12-24T11:49:15","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T16:49:15","slug":"ipfw-students-bridge-education-and-careers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2016\/05\/09\/ipfw-students-bridge-education-and-careers\/","title":{"rendered":"IPFW students ‘bridge’ education and careers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"IPFW<\/p>\n

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News release from IPFW:<\/p>\n

Students ‘Bridge’ Education and Careers as Part of IPFW Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

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(May 6, 2016) \u00e2\u20ac\u201d A special program at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) is helping students make the transition to college. Bridges to Education and Careers at IPFW is a federally funded program for students with intellectual disabilities who have completed high school, with a diploma or Certificate of Completion, and are ready to begin college.<\/p>\n

“Our primary emphasis is educational enrichment and paving a road to employment,” says Suzanna Yuhasz, director of the Bridges program at IPFW.<\/p>\n

Students in the Bridges program work with peer mentors who help them navigate their new school experience and integrate into student life, encouraging the students to become involved in a full and complete collegiate experience.<\/p>\n

Classes are integrated and three course options are recommended to Bridges students, who may choose to participate in those best suited to their needs. Future courses are anticipated to include English, Math, and Communications beginning in fall 2016. Student housing is available for Bridges program students.<\/p>\n

Cameron Shomo is one of the first IPFW Bridges students. Shomo attributes his success at IPFW to the program support he has received along the way, especially from Loretta Deininger, one of the Bridges peer mentors.
\nShomo is interested in the culinary arts and hopes to have a career in hospitality and tourism management. An avid basketball fan, Shomo volunteers as a manager for the Snyder High School basketball team and has an impressive r\u00c3\u00a9sum\u00c3\u00a9 of work experience at Sweetwater, Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control, and the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, and he is also involved with Special Olympics.<\/p>\n

“I just want anyone interested in going to college to take a look at the Bridges program,” said Shomo.
\nDeininger and Shomo have a regular routine of taking part in campus events, hanging out, doing homework, and playing basketball together.<\/p>\n

“Loretta helps me with everything she can,” says Shomo. “She is a good friend and a great peer mentor.”
\nDeininger adds: “I really like how capable the Bridges students are in getting to know their goals. The best part of my job is helping students be comfortable in the college environment.”<\/p>\n

The first step for students interested in participating in the Bridges program is to complete an application. Potential students will then be contacted to schedule an interview. The Bridges program recommends three courses that all program students participate in:<\/p>\n