Additional Staff Support

As a student in the Summer Scholars Program, you'll benefit from the support of additional staff members, both inside and outside the classroom.

Karen Henry

Karen Henry '87, Assistant Dean and Dean of First Year Students

"When I came to Swarthmore, I felt like I didn't fit. I struggled here, mainly because my Philadelphia high school hadn't prepared me for the challenge. What saved me was the mentoring I got from faculty and staff. All of them helped me not just to survive but to thrive at Swarthmore.

"When I returned to work in the Dean's Office, I determined to make sure to provide this same kind of mentoring and support. A lot of students come into my office and describe what a different experience Swarthmore is for them. I share with them my experience and assure them they will survive. I encourage them to use faculty office hours and to speak up in discussion-based classes—two things first-gen students struggle with. I tell them that this is their chance to take advantage of the great resources Swarthmore has to offer—summer research funding, internships, career services, and programs such as the Richard Rubin Scholar Mentoring Program. This helps first-gen students navigate not only Swarthmore, but life after."

Summer Support Staff​

"The student mentors are the 'secret sauce' for the S3P's recipe. They are terrific as individuals and are an amazing team."
- Amy Cheng Vollmer, faculty member

Staff members who are hired specifically for this five-week summer program include:

  • Additional professional staff: Summer Scholars Program students are supported by professional staff in lab science and mathematics.
  • Student mentors: Student mentors will be selected from Swarthmore's rising sophomores and juniors and will support you in your courses. These students will live with you in the residence hall, be available during evening and weekend hours, and can help you feel more comfortable with campus life.

Summer Scholars Program Committee

The Summer Scholars Program committee includes the program director and dean, four summer faculty members, and additional committee members from across campus. The program has widespread institutional support throughout our community.

"We set out to encourage the scholars to develop positive habits, not only of mind, but of heart and communal spirit. For all of us in our varied roles, the experience exceeded our wildest hopes as we forged a community marked by warmth, good humor, whole-hearted individual and collaborative engagement, and a celebration of diverse approaches and personalities."
- Philip Kudish, lab instructor