Nora Sandoval
Program Director
Summer Bridge (NSS)
2610 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94720-2272
Phone: 510/642-1590
Fax: 510/643-4395
Email: noras@berkeley.edu
Welcome to Summer Bridge! My name is Nora Sandoval and I am the Summer Bridge Program Director. I was born in Mexico, grew up in South Pasadena, California and have lived in the Bay Area for fifteen years.
I have worked at UC Berkeley for over ten years in higher education programs and student development including the last four years with the Summer Bridge Program. I had the privilege of participating in Summer Bridge as a student at UC Berkeley in 1992! I love working for a program that has personally influenced me and continues to facilitate a strong community of scholars. There are many staff members, including myself, that are dedicated to the success of students, so do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
GO BEARS!
Javier Infante
Program Coordinator
Summer Bridge (NSS)
2610 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94720-2272
Phone: 510/642-5983
Fax: 510/643-4395
Email: sbridge@berkeley.edu
My name is Javier Infante, and I am the Summer Bridge Program Coordinator. I am from the Bay Area, specifically from San Jose, but was born in Redwood City. I am currently a junior with a major in Society and Environment, with a focus on environmental justice and development, and a minor in Public Policy. I joined the Summer Bridge family in 2005. The program served as an opportunity to aid both my academic and personal growth, and I was able to find my first small community of friends within the larger Berkeley campus.
I decided to come back and work for Bridge not only because of the help and community that it has provided for me, but because of the excellent staff and the passion they have to help our students succeed. I loved the family feel that the program and staff created for me and I wanted to give back. I initially began as an intern in the summer of 2006 and got more involved as the Seminar Assistant last year.
As the Program Coordinator, I hope to help incoming students get acquainted with campus life and on the right track with an exciting Summer Bridge program. As a coordinator I am committed to creating an experience that will enrich your life here in Berkeley, and so I'll work hard to make sure that all aspects of the program run as smoothly as possible. After my undergraduate career here at Berkeley, I hope to attend Law School to get my J.D. and possibly a Masters in Educational/Public Policy or Social Welfare.
Melissa Ramirez-Medina
Program Assistant
Summer Bridge (NSS)
2610 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94720-2272
Phone: 510/642-5983
Fax: 510/643-4395
Email: melmed0424@berkeley.edu
My name is Melissa Ramirez-Medina and I'm one of the Program Assistants for Summer Bridge. I was also in Bridge myself, Class of 2007! I was born and raised in Oxnard, California (home of the California Strawberry Festival!) so I'm fairly new to the Bay Area, but I definitely love it so far. I intend to double major in Political Science and Political Economy of Industrial Societies, and hopefully--if the price is right--go on to grad school.
Like most bridgees, I was also a first generation college student and feared not making it in college, especially at UC Berkeley. I was fortunate enough to have landed a spot in the Summer Bridge Program, and it was and still is one of the greatest summers I've ever had. Not only did Bridge prepare me both academically and socially, it also opened up a ton of doors for me when I came into Cal for the fall semester. I decided to come back and work for Bridge because I wanted to give back to a community that goes out of its way to help some of the brightest and deserving students make a smooth transition to Cal.
Aside from Bridge, I'm also a writing tutor at the Student Learning Center on campus and a discussion leader with Other Voices, a multicultural literature course sponsored by the SLC. I center a lot of the work that I do around education with hopes of developing a career in educational policy and reforming America's public education system so that students of all backgrounds can have an equal opportunity to attain a higher education.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me.
Alexandria Ruiz
Project Coordinator
Summer Bridge (NSS)
2610 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94720-2272
Phone: 510/642-5983
Fax: 510/643-4395
Email: alex_86@berkeley.edu
Greetings from Summer Bridge! My name is Alexandria Ruiz, but you can call me Ria or Alex. As the Summer Bridge 35th Anniversary Celebration Project Coordinator I am working to put together our 35th Birthday Celebration Event!
Born in San Jose and raised in Tracy, the Bay is where I call home. Currently I am working towards a double major in Political Science and Ethnic Studies with a Public Policy Minor. After three years at Cal I joined the Summer Bridge family this past summer as a Resident Assistant for Bridge Class 2007. As a member of the residential living staff I had the opportunity to get to know each of the students as they worked their way through the program. It was an unforgettable summer filled with great memories and cherished friendships. Summer Bridge is more than a job; it has become my family.
Seeing the students now is amazing as they have transitioned so well, becoming active members in the academic and social community at Cal. After such an incredible summer I was eager to continue my involvement with the program and be a more active member of the team that makes this program happen. As the program's Project Coordinator for the 35th Anniversary I am committed to celebrating the achievements of our more than 5,000 alumni. I look forward to another exciting summer with the program as well as meeting you, the Summer Bridge Class of 2008!