Impact Awards 2024

Bridgewater State University takes pride in recognizing impact in all forms across campus. The Impact Awards have been celebrated since 1996 at BSU and allow student leaders, programs and organizations to be recognized and honored each year for their impacts on the greater community and beyond.  

The Impact Awards offer a multitude of different awards including those for individuals such as “Advisor of the Year” which is presented to the advisor of a club/ organization who has gone above and beyond the requirements. Another example is our newer “Rookie of the Year Award” that is presented to students who are in their first or second year and have demonstrated promising leadership in the community.  
 
The Impact Awards also have awards for Groups and Organizations on campus such as the “Student Organization Program of the Year Award”, which highlights the organization of the year that has improved the quality of life at BSU and the community by providing a specific program.  

Visit our virtual Impact Awards Hall of Fame to view a listing of all awards, and see who has won in the past.  

Impact Awards 2024 nominations have already opened and will close at 12pm on Friday March 29th. We appreciate your help in encouraging your student to submit nominations! 
 
Questions about the Impact Awards can be directed to the Center for Student Engagement at 508-531-1840 or CSE@bridgew.edu.

Resource Spotlight 
Lewis and Gaines Center for Inclusion and Equity (LGCIE)  

Written By: Liz McLam, CSE Digital Engagement Assistant  

The Lewis and Gaines Center for Inclusion and Equity (LGCIE-LEGACY) strives to create a community that encourages equity and promotes the celebration of the history, culture, and traditions of BSU students. LGCIE relentlessly pushes for racial equity along with closing achievement gaps by hosting events on campus and connecting students with both on campus and off campus resources that are invested in helping their academic, social, and overall experience at Bridgewater State University and in life.  

To pursue cultural equity within Bridgewater State University the Lewis and Gaines Center for Inclusion and Equity offers a multitude of opportunities for students to come and get involved which are open to all students. Some of which includes weekly Study Halls with a tutor and academic coach. Another program is called SnakChats, where students can come eat and learn about different campus resources and diversity topics. The LGCIE also offers direct lines of communication to other resources on campus.

Learn more about the Lewis and Gaines Center for Inclusion and Equity here. They are open Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:45 pm and their office is located in the Rondileau Student Union, Room 101. Please encourage your student to visit anytime! 

Event Highlight
BSUWorks BioTech and Life Science Networking Event 

In collaboration with MassBioEd, BSU's Bartlett College of Science & Mathematics, Massasoit Community College and BSU's Career Services & Internship Program Office, we are hosting a Student/Employer Networking Event that includes a light lunch on Wednesday, (Mon. schedule), Feb. 21, 2024 in DMF, from 12-3pm.

A four-member employer panel presentation, (Sara Nochur, Yolanda McLean, Gabriel Robbie and Lan Dang, (check out their LinkedIn accounts), will start off the event followed by a series of rotational Round Table Group Conversations between Employers & Students.

Students will learn about internships and jobs in Life Science, Biotech, Business, and opportunities for Liberal Arts majors. Sample list of Employers: Alnylam Bio-Manufacturing, Blueprint Medicines, Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc., MA Life Sciences Center and Northeastern University!

Please encourage your student to register for the event on Handshake!

Resource Spotlight 
Academic Achievement Center (AAC)

Written by: Liz McLam, CSE Digitial Engagement Assistant 

The Academic Achievement Center or AAC is located on the ground floor of the Maxwell Library in room 001. On campus they serve to provide support and resources to BSU students, helping those to develop academic, personal, and self-advocacy skills. The AAC also houses numerous other services such as Academic Advising, Learning Assistance, Student Accessibility Services, and Testing Services; all of which strive to provide comprehensive student-centered services.  

AAC Advising assists first semester freshmen, undecided students, and emerging scholars take control of their education through planning, problem solving, and connecting them to resources. Learning Assistance houses a multitude of services which aid students’ academic careers during their time at BSU, such as free tutoring in writing, mathematics, communications, English as a second language and other various core and beginning level courses. The Student Accessibility Services team within the AAC ensure that all students regardless of any form of disability have equal access to BSU. Testing Services provides those with undergraduate, graduate, professional licensure, placement, and remotely proctored exams year-round, and they offer a number of different exams such as MTEL, CLEP, and BSU Placement Tests.  

The Academic Achievement Center is made up of experienced staff members like the AAC’s Executive Director Lauren Folloni. “I graduated from Bridgewater State in 2005 with a degree in psychology. When I came back to BSU in 2019, to lead the AAC, I was excited for the chance to serve my alma mater and work with our amazing students. When I was a student at BSU, I was studying full time, working full time, and I was a young, single mom. I know first-hand how helpful it is to feel supported and cared for by the university and I strive to be that for our students when I come to work every day”, Lauren responded when we asked her how the Academic Achievement Center has impacted her own life. “We have a phenomenal academic coaching program, where students can develop their college-student skills, things like time management, goal setting, professional communication, study skills, and so much more. The AAC has a team of academic advisors who specialize in supporting our first-year students, our new transfer students, and students who are working to raise their GPA. The AAC is also home to SAS, where students with disabilities can go to request campus and classroom accommodations, and where any student can go to get involved in our exciting work toward creating a culture of accessibility here at Bridgewater State University. Our services are for all students because all students benefit from the information sharing, skill development, and relationships that the AAC has to offer”. 

The Academic Achievement Center is a great resource at Bridgewater State University for all students looking for support with their academic goals. You can click here to learn more about this great campus resource!

Resource Spotlight
Center for Student Engagement
Pathway Programs

Did you know? The Center for Student Engagement (CSE) has several new engagement pathway programs to support specific student populations with resources, events, and information designed for them! Read more about these programs below. 

The First Semester Roadmap
The First Semester Roadmap program is the contiuation of new to BSU students' onboarding experience here at BSU. It is a multifaceted program, with three major components: a Roadmap checklist of activities and other resources to complete during your student's first semester, a peer mentoring opportunity, and regular communications from the Center for Student Engagement. 

Read more about this program here. 

Leaving the Den 
Sponsored by the Center for Student Engagement, Leaving the Den is a pathway program for graduating seniors to help them reflect on their time at Bridgewater State University and prepare for them for their next steps in life. The program has three major components: a spring semester Leaving the Den checklist with recommended experiences, action items, and other resources for your final semester, regular customized communications from the Center for Student Engagement, and a couple of signature events including a fall semester resource fair for seniors and the upcoming Bristaco's Grad Party event. 

Read more about this program here. 

Commencement Updates

• Applications for this year's Commencement Student Singer and Student Speaker are now live! Deadline to apply to either opportunity is March 1st. 

• Commencement tickets will be released beginning on March 26th.