Where the Bridge Begins

The Bridge Academy begins with a Meet & Greet that brings students, mentors, and families together for the first time.

Mentees meet the business professionals who will mentor them throughout the program, and parents have an opportunity to meet the person who will be sharing the experience with their student.

Beginning this year, program sponsors will also be invited—connecting the people who make The Bridge Academy possible with the students and mentors they are supporting.

Learning, exploring, and experiencing together.

Throughout The Bridge Academy, students and mentors participate in interactive cohort sessions designed to build skills and broaden perspectives. Most sessions include two or more learning modules covering topics such as leadership, communication, public speaking, interview skills, professional development, and more. Sessions may also take participants outside the classroom for tours and visits with local businesses, giving students firsthand exposure to different industries, workplaces, and career paths. The program may also include a community service project, providing another opportunity to learn through shared experience.

Growing together

Mentors attend each cohort session alongside their mentees, building a relationship through shared learning, conversation, and career exploration. Students gain the perspective of an experienced business or community professional, while mentors strengthen their own leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.

Each student also participates in a job-shadowing experience during the program. Mentors make one workday available for their mentee to experience the workplace firsthand. When a mentor's profession does not align with the student's career interests, The Bridge Academy may work with community and business partners to arrange an experience that better matches the student's goals.

Celebrating the journey

The Bridge Academy experience concludes with graduation at the Southaven Chamber of Commerce August Quarterly Luncheon. Mentors and mentees attend together, and parents are invited to join the celebration as students are recognized for completing the program.

The luncheon is also where we announce and recognize The Bridge Academy scholarship recipients, awarding college scholarships to participating students as they prepare for their next steps.

It’s a celebration of more than completing the program—it recognizes the relationships built, skills developed, opportunities explored, and accomplishments of the students and mentors who shared the Bridge Academy experience together.