The WesBridge Sentara Health Plans Scholar program serves as a bridge between high school and the start of a student's college career. First-year students have the opportunity to jump-start their college education and further develop their academic skills, so the transition to college is as smooth as possible. In addition, participation in this program helps prepare students for the non-academic part of college. We want students to have the support they need to be a successful member of Marlin Nation!
WesBridge allows students to take one class and earn two credits over the summer. It is designed to ease students into their college education and help them build the skills needed to succeed at VWU. The course will be taught by a VWU faculty member, who will support students every step of the way. Students who successfully complete the program will start the fall semester with two credit hours already completed toward graduation requirements.
If students are invited to participate in the program the cost will be covered by their enrollment deposit. Those who have not been invited, but think this would be a good opportunity, are encouraged to contact their enrollment counselor. Enrollment counselors can be reached at 757.455.3208 or enrollment@vwu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
The criteria used to determine if a student is a good candidate for WesBridge are academic history, first-generation status, and their social/emotional well-being.
HUM 261 Cultural Impacts: An interdisciplinary examination of works of art, music, film, theater, or literature that have profoundly shaped and impacted cultures in the past or present.
The course is taught by full-time Virginia Wesleyan faculty members.
Past classes have included:
Music and Films
This course will be an exploration of the way that films use music as a tool of communication and a way to influence emotions as part of the storytelling experience. We will study the different types of music and sound that can be used in the film industry, how it is produced, and discuss the effects that music can have on the impact of a film.
Business
This class is designed to introduce certain fundamental principles that are important in business and business management as a whole; these include leadership, negotiations, diversity, ethics, teamwork, decision-making, and other topics. The course is geared towards new college students who may be interested in pursuing a business major but the material can be applied to and is highly relevant to everyday life situations as well. Each class is interactive and follows a "story-narrative" approach that utilizes a specific real-world situation concluding in key take-aways for the students.
Introduction to Life Sciences
This course will introduce students to the college laboratory science experience through an examination of select topics in college-level biology including evolution, microbiology, botany, vertebrate biology, marine science, statistics, and human anatomy. Activities will include introductions to light microscopy, cell culturing and aseptic techniques, field sampling in forested habitats on campus, field sampling in Lake Taylor and First Landing State Park, and a hands-on demonstration of the Anatomage Table. Topics will focus on the characteristics of life, biology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, surveys of major lineages of fungi, plants and animals, and statistical analyses of field data. Students will take a written test at the conclusion of the first week and will complete a lab notebook, due at the end of the second week of class.
Students will live on campus in student housing and eat their meals in the Boyd Dining Center located in the Batten Student Center.
Students will attend class, take part in academic workshops, learn about the campus community and have plenty of time to take advantage of extracurricular activities. Including the weight room, pool, rock wall and other activities.
Volunteer Opportunities
Oyster Bagging
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay in the United States. Students will put together recycled oyster shells that will end up providing homes to baby oysters. The oysters will then be placed back into the Chesapeake Bay and filter millions of gallons of water a day.
Girls on the Run - Girl Pack Event
Founded in 2006, Girls on the Run Hampton Roads has been dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. We will be hosting a Girl Pack Assembly Party where students will prepare 1,100 sport packs for Girls on the Run's after-school program participants.
Hoffler Creek & Operation Gratitude
We will be making wildflower seed bombs containing a mix of native perennial wildflower seeds, compost, clay and water to be given to the Hoffler Creek. The flowers that grow will attract friendly pollinators such as bees and butterflies, while simultaneously having a positive impact on the planet. In addition, we will be putting together paracord lanyards for Operation Gratitude to send to deployed troops. These lanyards can hold up to 550 lbs. of weight and help in various situations. For example, hang an IV bag from a tree, secure camouflage nets to trees or vehicles, build a makeshift shelter, or create a harness to extract an injured person from a bad location.
If the student successfully completes the program, then they will start the fall semester with two course credits already completed toward their graduation requirements.