BRIDGE Leadership Teams

BRIDGE Builders

The BRIDGE Builders are a leadership team of undergraduate men who help first-year BRIDGE men construct their path at UA. The Builders have a primary role of connecting participants to the UA student experience and facilitating activities and dialogue among participants during the BRIDGE Kickoff event. The Builders offer their personal insight into what it means to be a student at UA, live by the Capstone Creed, and serve as a role model for BRIDGE students. To meet our 2023-2024 Team, please visit our BRIDGE Builders page. For more information on how to be a BRIDGE Builder or to connect with someone on the Team, email Dr. Kiara S. Summerville at kssummerville@ua.edu. 

Meet the BRIDGE Builders Team Leads

These two student leaders are senior-level Builders, appointed by professional staff members, who exemplify the spirit of the BRIDGE program. The Team Leads support our community by recruiting prospective students to BRIDGE, representing the program at internal and external UA events, developing meaningful relationships with their peers, and facilitating the August Kickoff.

Nathan Brown, BRIDGE Team Lead
Nathan Brown
Pinson, AL
Senior, News Media
Mike S., Bridge Team Lead
Michael Stewart, Jr.
Pinson, AL
Senior, Marketing

Student Executive Council

The BRIDGE Student Executive Council is a group of upper-level BRIDGE men who support the program by planning large-group social events, organizing community service visits, and providing other social engagement opportunities for the overall BRIDGE community. Through their work, the Executive Council aims to foster a sense of community and belonging for all of the men involved in BRIDGE.

EJ J., President of Bridge Executive Council
Ej J.
President
Gallion, AL
Junior, Cyber Security
Carri R., Vice President of BRIDGE Executive Council
Carri R.
Vice President
Bessemer, AL
Junior, Marketing
Jalin H., Secretary of BRIDGE Executive Council
Jalin H.
Secretary
Odenville, AL
Senior, Management Information Systems
Orlando M., PR for BRIDGE Executive Council
Orlando M.
Public Relations Chair
Clarksville, TN
Senior, Biology

BEAM Team

The BRIDGE Engagement & Academic Mentorship (BEAM) Program is an initiative that provides access to academic resources and extracurricular involvement for first-year BRIDGE men. In BEAM, first-year students are paired with an upper-level BRIDGE mentor to help with academics and campus engagement. The mentors are responsible for meeting with their BRIDGE mentee group regularly to help them understand academic expectations of college and how to become a campus leader. We host weekly study halls where BRIDGE students can foster a community of academic support. During our weekly BRIDGE study halls, we do presentations on vital topics regarding academic enrichment and professional development. Our topics range from Utilizing LinkedIn and Networking to Resume Workshops and Semester Planning. With the collaboration of many resources on campus, BEAM aims to develop a scholarly community of undergraduate men at The University of Alabama.

Meet the BEAM Managers

These two student leaders prepare the BEAM curriculum every week, communicate regularly with the upper-level mentors, and send helpful information to all of the first-year BRIDGE students.

Yonathan J., BEAM Manager
Yonathan J.
Kingsport, TN
Junior, Microbiology (Pre-Medical)
Campus Involvement: Cardinal Key, CCSS Peer Tutor, Honor College, President of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, Resident Advisor, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Josiah K., BEAM Manager
Josiah K.
Montgomery, AL
Junior, Marketing
Campus Involvement: Black Student Union President, Peer Coach, Resident Advisor, The Blackburn Institute, Kappa Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

BRIDGE Committee

These UA faculty and staff members support The Office of Student Academic Engagement and Advocacy by serving on the BRIDGE committee. They dedicate their time and talent to the success of the program.

Kiara Summerville

Dr. Kiara Summerville

Director
Student Academic Engagement & Advocacy

Isaiah Kyles

Isaiah Kyles

Coordinator
Student Academic Engagement & Advocacy

Dr. Andre Denham

Dr. Andre Denham

Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs

Joe Hawley

Joe Hawley

Coordinator of Career & Leadership Development
Alabama Athletics

Jerran Hill

Jerran Hill

Director
Blackburn Institute

Dr. Utz McKnight, BRIDGE Committee

Dr. Utz McKnight

Associate Dean, Chair of Department of Gender & Race Studies
Professor of Political Science