The Bryson Future Scholars Program at SIU helps students succeed

July 2, 2024

The Bryson Future Scholars Program at SIU helps students succeed

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — When classes begin at Southern Illinois University Carbondale this fall, dozens of new students will have earned eight credit hours and a head start on their academic careers thanks to their participation in the Dr. Seymour Bryson Future Scholars Program this summer.

From across Illinois, as well as Missouri, Alabama and beyond, 47 students arrived on campus June 30 for a four-week immersion stay. They will enjoy a true SIU college experience, living in Neely Hall, exploring campus and community amenities, learning about the resources available to them as Salukis and more.

“The goal is to help Bryson Scholars build a solid foundation, give them a chance to experience college life, establish a routine, and learn the ropes ahead of time,” said Kristopher Marshall, director of Exploratory Student Advisement, who coordinates the program. “By giving them the opportunity to become acclimated to all the resources and entities on campus, such as financial aid, sustainability, Saluki Cares, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Writing Center, and the city of Carbondale and community, we can give them a boost for success in college and beyond.”

Proven successes

This is the fourth year of the revamped program, which Marshall says has a proven track record. Last year’s participants achieved a remarkable 90 percent success rate and a 3.11 grade point average.

Students are selected to attend SIU through a selective admissions process and receive assistance in transitioning from high school to college.

The Future Scholars Program was created in 1991 by the late Seymour Bryson, a three-time SIU alumnus who retired in 2008 as vice chancellor for diversity and professor at the Rehabilitation Institute. After a brief hiatus, the program was reestablished in 2021 at the request of Chancellor Austin Lane, with funding from the SIU Foundation.

The program includes three core university courses: Communication, English, and University 101 Orientation. It also provides access to campus resources, visits from campus and community partners, time management instruction, workshops, mandatory study table time with tutoring and academic coaching, and a range of other benefits.

In addition, participants get to know faculty and administrators as well as their peers, take part in team building activities, and participate in community service. Many of the program’s advisors are Bryson Scholars Program alumni themselves.

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Information for the media

Reporters, photographers and news crews will find plenty of opportunities to capture compelling photos, stories and videos while the Seymour Bryson Scholars are on campus through July 27.

We invite media representatives to the following address:

• July 7th community activity where students are participating in partnership with the Office of Sustainability. They will meet in front of Neely Hall around 11:30 a.m. and participate in a campus cleanup project near the Student Services Building until around 1:00 p.m. From around 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. they will be in rooms 150/160 in the Student Services Building working on a mural project and making keychains from recycled materials.
• After-dinner classes are held from 6:15-7:45 p.m. Sunday through Thursday each week on the 7th floor of the Morris Library in rooms 722, 724, and in the Tutoring Center.
• The awards ceremony will take place on July 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the old main hall in the Student Center. Families and supporters are invited to the awards ceremony.

Students will participate in a variety of other activities, including tours of college facilities and use of campus amenities at various times.

All times, dates, and locations are subject to change due to weather and other factors. For more information about the Dr. Seymour Bryson Future Scholars Program or to confirm exact times and locations of specific events and coverage opportunities, contact Director of Exploratory Student Advisement Kristopher Marshall at 618-453-4351, 618-203-4321 or [email protected].

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Throughout the program, each week will feature lessons and programs focused on a theme, Marshall said. Topics include:

• Sacrifice.
• Persistence.
• Vision.
• Success.

Bryson Fellows will also participate in educational and cultural enrichment tours, where they will participate in educational and cultural experiences while learning about history and more. The tours are sponsored in part by Narratent Digital Marketing, which is owned by SIU alumni Desmon Walker and Allen Shelton, who are former research students. The tour includes visits to:

• Springfield, Illinois, July 6 to visit the Lincoln Library, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and State Capitol.
• Louisville, Kentucky, July 13 at the Muhammad Ali Center.
• Memphis, Tennessee, July 20 at the Civil Rights Museum.