Bridges Launches Partnership with Davis New Mexico Scholarship
First-generation college students in our region will soon have expanded opportunities to pursue a four-year college degree through a new partnership between Bridges Project for Education and the Davis New Mexico Scholarship. The Bridges First-Gen Summer Institute, a free, three-day intensive program, will provide students with college application support, mentorship, and access to scholarship opportunities.
Tailored for rising high school seniors who will be the first in their families to earn a four-year college degree, the program will guide participants through the college application process and equip them with critical self-advocacy skills. Students who complete the program will also be eligible to apply for the prestigious Davis New Mexico Scholarship, which provides financial assistance and academic support to promising first-generation New Mexico students pursuing higher education.
First-Gen Summer Institute
“We intend to start with a cohort of five students for the pilot year of the program in summer 2025. Our goal is to grow the cohort size each year,”
- Hannah Gunther, executive director, Bridges Project.
Breaking Barriers to Higher Education
“Navigating the postsecondary education application process can be challenging due to financial barriers, limited access to information, and personal or family responsibilities,” Said Hannah Gunther, executive director of Bridges.
The Bridges First-Gen Summer Institute is a targeted initiative aimed at identifying and supporting first-generation students who are strong candidates to attend four-year colleges. This overnight program will provide students with the guidance and tools necessary to successfully navigate the college application process. Additionally, students will learn about the resources available at colleges and the self-advocacy skills needed to effectively access and utilize those resources. After the program concludes, students will receive continued support from their Bridges counselor throughout their senior year.
“We intend to start with a cohort of five students for the pilot year of the program in summer 2025. Our goal is to grow the cohort size each year” said Gunther.
The Davis New Mexico Scholarship partnership with Bridges has been a long time coming in the minds of scholarship Director, Sam Ritter, and the scholarship Founder, Andrew Davis, given that they both have substantial ties to the area.
“Since the inception of the scholarship, we have been hoping to support more scholars from the Taos area, but we have been waiting for the appropriate affiliate program to emerge,” said Sam Ritter, Director of the Davis New Mexico Scholarship. “Bridges Taos’ program growth over the past two years has been a natural fit as we look to expand the geographic reach of the scholarship program.”
Pilot Year and Long-Term Goals
The launch of this summer institute marks the beginning of a broader initiative to increase college enrollment and success rates for students in Northern New Mexico. The pilot phase will be supported by a $10,000 planning and innovation grant from the Davis New Mexico Scholarship, with an opportunity for up to $30,000 annually to sustain and expand the program in future years.
How to Apply
The application deadline for the Bridges First-Gen Summer Institute is Sunday, April 13. Students interested in participating can apply online at bridgesproject.org and are encouraged to meet with a Bridges counselor for assistance with the application process.
A Legacy of Impact
Since 1997, Bridges Project for Education has served more than 3,200 students and families across Taos and Northern New Mexico, helping secure over $100,000 annually in regional scholarships and ensuring every student has an affordable pathway to college. The Bridges First-Gen Summer Institute represents the next step in their mission to expand access to postsecondary education for all.
“We believe education is a transformative force,” said Gunther. “Through this new program, we are opening doors for first-generation students and empowering them to pursue their dreams with the support they deserve.”
About Bridges Project for Education
Bridges Project for Education is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to college and vocational training for students of all ages in Taos County and Northern New Mexico. The organization offers free, individualized counseling and guidance on applications, admissions, financial aid, and career pathways.
For more information contact Hannah directly.
About the Davis New Mexico Scholarship
The Davis New Mexico Scholarship’s mission is to break the generational opportunity gap in New Mexico by creating and strengthening pathways to higher education for all first-generation college-going students. Through its flagship scholarship program, the Davis New Mexico Scholarship has provided nearly $55 million in scholarships for first-generation college students throughout the state, alongside programs that bring college access resources to high school students and districts.