Pictured: Left to right: Dr. Anayah Walker and Shandrea Williams at a tour of FGCU. Williams, a Future-Ready Scholar and recent graduate of Booker High School, will attend Florida International University in the fall. Provided photo.

Attending this year’s graduation ceremonies throughout Sarasota County was especially exciting to me, as I too walked across a graduation stage to receive my doctorate degree. Not long ago, that goal seemed unattainable to me, and yet here I am today working with high school students to develop their own plans after graduation.

That plan could include college, trade school, advanced certifications, or starting a career. But even with the best intentions, some students face unexpected barriers—financial setbacks, academic struggles, or personal challenges—that cause them to “stop out.” These students often fall through the cracks. With the right support, though, they can re-engage and move forward.

I know this firsthand. As a first-generation college student, I was trying to figure it out on my own. Fortunately, I transitioned to Florida State University through a summer bridge initiative called the CARE Program. There, I learned key college survival skills, discovered helpful campus resources, and built lasting friendships.

To support local students who’ve paused their education, are unsure of their next steps, or are simply eager to get ahead, we launched the Future-Ready Summer Bridge Program with the support of PLANit Sarasota partners such as Suncoast Technical College, the University of South Florida, and CareerSource Suncoast.

This four-day program served rising juniors, rising seniors, and recent graduates of Sarasota County Schools. Through hands-on sessions and guest speakers, participants built essential life and academic skills. They explored topics like financial aid, budgeting, résumé writing, and more—with small-group coaching to provide personalized guidance.

Riaz Hakim, a recent graduate from North Port High School, participated in the Summer Bridge Program and found the experience and information helpful.

“The Bridge Program has been a humble, welcoming experience for me,” Hakim said. “The amount of time they put in to fully inform us of coming college programs and future job hunting has given me more motivation to press forward. Truthfully, a wonderful experience that has challenged me out of my comfort zone.”

We know bridge programs work—and recent research supports this. As highlighted in Jennifer Johnston’s recent SRQ Daily Perspectives article, summer bridge programs make a measurable difference. From my own college experience and the broader research on higher education retention, I’ve seen just how powerful these programs can be.

Director of Student Programs Dr. Anayah Walker is a staff member at the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

Pictured: Left to right: Dr. Anayah Walker and Shandrea Williams at a tour of FGCU. Williams, a Future-Ready Scholar and recent graduate of Booker High School, will attend Florida International University in the fall. Provided photo.