St. Philip’s College Celebrates Inaugural FreshSTART Bridge Program Capstone Ceremony
July 16, 2026
St. Philip’s College (SPC) celebrated the inaugural Department of the Navy HBCU/MI FreshSTART Bridge Program Capstone Ceremony, recognizing the achievements of 10 students who completed the six-week summer STEM enrichment program.
FreshSTART, which stands for Freshman Scholar Transition to Academic Research and Technology, is designed to strengthen students' academic readiness while preparing them for success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The partnership between St. Philip’s College and the Department of the Navy supports the college's commitment to expanding STEM opportunities and developing a highly skilled workforce.
"As a Historically Black College and Hispanic-Serving Institution, St. Philip’s College is proud to partner with the Department of the Navy to prepare students for academic success and future careers in STEM," said Dr. Adena Williams Loston, president of St. Philip’s College.
Throughout the program, scholars received instruction in mathematics, chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, computing, and professional development from SPC faculty while building a strong foundation for college-level STEM coursework.
The inaugural FreshSTART scholars included Ivory Mitchell, Gabriella Hernandez, Isabella Barker, Nourhan Albuqassim, Makayla Favella, Naima Salaam, Brian Rodriguez, Naeem Lewis, Chloe Nye, and Leann Ruiz.
The capstone ceremony featured student presentations showcasing what they learned during the program, followed by an awards ceremony. Dr. Loston also encouraged students to embrace perseverance and mentorship, drawing on her experience as a former NASA employee and emphasizing the critical role STEM education plays in driving innovation and strengthening the nation's future workforce.