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Pathways to USI

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Mission & Vision

Our Mission: Empowering students to: smoothly transition into college life at USI, actively identify and overcome barriers to success and retention while enrolled, and successfully graduate.

Our Vision: We serve USI students who are newly admitted first-year students via the Summer Institute and  students, who did not attend the Summer Institute, via our one-on-one college coaching throughout the academic year. Through the Pathways to USI model, all students, those who are newly transitioning to college and those who began their collegiate journey sometime ago, are provided comprehensive wraparound services and personalized support to meet their ever-evolving needs and turn their college dreams and post-grad career goals into reality. 

No matter why or when students join Pathways, we seek to pour into students by intentionally building their socio-emotional and academic confidence while helping them learn self-efficacy and necessary college success skills during their collegiate journeys. We strive to enhance the new and continuing student experience by providing one-on-one college success coaching and interventions focused on care and individual needs. We are Pathways to USI.

Our Programs

Student in a Pathways to USI t-shirt sits in the Rice Library lounge by a window with the University Center Tower visible in the background

College Success Coaching & Study Tables

Are you interested in learning more about our study tables or one-on-one college success coaching?

A group of students work on homework together

Pre-Collegiate Experience & Affinity Days

Are you an area middle or high school teacher or student interested in learning more about Pathways to USI?

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Pre-Screagle Summer Institute

Are you interested in learning more about the 2027 Summer Institute?

Upcoming Programs 

2026-2027 Academic Year   

USI Affinity Days   For: Grades 9-12 

A half-day experience (9am-1pm) showcasing college life, student success, and the dynamics of USI’s beautiful campus culture. Admitted Affinity Day scholars enjoy a light, continental breakfast at our Meet and Greet: Welcome Ceremony; encounter University administrators, staff, faculty, and their assigned Pathways mentor; participate in an informative and fun campus tour; attend an interactive panel discussion or view a live college course alongside their mentor; and enjoy lunch on our beautiful campus. USI Affinity Days allow admitted area high school students the firsthand opportunity to experience a portion of an average day in the life of a Pathways to USI college student. Contact Dr. Xavia H. Burton, Director, today to reserve your seat!

Fall 2026 Dates: October 16th & November 13th

                                                       

Pre-Screagle Summer Institute   For: Newly Admitted Students/Incoming College Freshmen

The Pre-Screagle Summer Institute (PSSI) is a multi-week bridge program providing academic support, social/emotional growth, and professional development to USI’s incoming freshmen students during the critical summer term.  This research backed and intentional focus on creating community, providing resources, removing barriers, and building healthy and sustainable academic and personal practices before their first year of college, ensures that the proper habits are formed to propel PSSI admitted scholars from the Summer Institute into a successful transition for their first year of college and beyond.  

The PSSI Daily Schedule, starting at 9am and ending at 3pm, leaves little room for error as scholars are busy tackling college-level courses taught by University faculty, meeting with academic advisors, college success coaches, and/or mentors in their respective offices, enjoying a delicious meal with cohort members, or utilizing study tables to complete homework assignments and/or prepare for an upcoming exam. PSSI scholars are enrolled in multiple college-level courses (i.e., math, composition & rhetoric, literature, and essential general academic skills like time and stress management for those new to the college experience).

The next Summer Institute is slated to be held June 2027. If you believe any high school seniors/incoming USI freshmen in your life would be perfect Summer Institute scholars, encourage them to apply. Applications become available on January 15, 2027; all interested students should submit their 2027 Summer Institute Application no later than May 7, 2027. Help us identify Cohort Five!

Pathways to USI Forms

Affinity Day Visit Sign Up Form- Use this form to express your interest in bringing your high school aged students to our beautiful campus for a tailored, interactive half-day experience. We look forward to meeting you all!

Recommender's Form- Use this form to share the name(s) of any current USI undergraduate student you believe should join the Pathways to USI Program. Fill out this form, and we will do the rest!

Student OPT-IN Form- If you're a current USI undergraduate student, use this form to take advantage of all the student services Pathways to USI offers (i.e., 1:1 meetings to enhance socio-emotional development, mental wellness, academic success, career readiness, and much more).

Video/Photo Release- We love to take pictures! Pictures will be used for the website, presentations, and marketing.

Pathways to USI logo

Pathways to USI Accomplishments 

86%
Percentage of incoming first-year students who graduate from the Summer Institute and remain actively enrolled past the first-year of college
3.24
Programmatic Grade Point Average (GPA)
77%
Participating students who meet Pathways' academic standards (i.e., continuous full-time credit enrollment and successful full-time credit attainment)

Connect With
Pathways to USI

(812) 464-1757