Social Work Connects to the Community
Bridges to Skidmore
Bridges to Skidmore College is a collaboration between Saratoga Bridges and Skidmore College in which Bridges participants and Skidmore students attend brief,
accessible lectures delivered by Skidmore faculty on the college campus on a biweekly
basis. After the presentation, Bridges participants and Skidmore students form small
groups to discuss presentation content and their reactions. The weeks following the
lectures, Bridges and Skidmore students complete homework assignments together related
to the previous week’s lecture.
Bridges to Skidmore began in January 2010. Approximately 15 Bridges participants attend
each semester. After four semesters, Bridges participants graduate from the program
and a new cohort from Bridges begin their college journey. The objectives of this
project include increasing Skidmore students’ exposure to diverse groups; providing
a rigorous and meaningful learning experience for Bridges participants; enhancing
Skidmore students’ ability to communicate with people with disabilities; and raising
awareness of issues related to disabilities among students and faculty.
