THE BRIDGE ACADEMY

Building the bridge between potential and possibility.

The Bridge Academy connects high school juniors with local business professionals for six months of career exploration, mentorship, leadership development and real-world experiences.

Presented by the Southaven Chamber Foundation in partnership with DeSoto County Schools.

WHAT WE DO

Where students explore what's possible—
and leaders help them get there.

For Students
Explore careers, meet professionals, experience workplaces and build confidence about what comes next.

For Mentors
Develop leadership and mentoring skills while helping a young person discover opportunities they may never have considered.

THE BRIDGE ACADEMY EXPERIENCE

Meet & Greet

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.

Program Sessions

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.

Mentorship

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.

Graduation

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.

TESTIMONIALS

Stories from both sides of the Bridge

MENTORS

“Participating in Bridge Academy was a rewarding experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone, let me explore industries I might not have otherwise encountered, and helped me grow alongside my mentee. While I enjoyed the opportunities to learn and develop my own leadership skills, the most meaningful part was building a relationship with my mentee and being a source of encouragement and support throughout the year.”

Amanda Carper | University of Mississippi

MENTEES

“Bridge Academy gave me a broad and approachable introduction to what it means to be a leader in business and my community as a future accountant. I learned that it’s not just technical knowledge that gets you far, but also networking and service. I am now much more confident in my future as a healthcare accountant and part-time service worker to promote healthcare access and financial literacy.”

Addison Martin | DeSoto Central High School

“Bridge Academy has helped me turn my interest in medicine into something I could experience firsthand! Through the program, I was paired with a mentor who owns a clinic and given the opportunity to intern there over the summer. I learned from healthcare professionals, saw how much goes into patient care, and developed my communication skills by learning how to interact with patients which are skills I know will stay with me throughout my future career.

Bridge Academy was especially valuable to me because it connected me with opportunities and professional relationships that I had spent a long time trying to find on my own. It opened a door for me, and I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship and experiences I gained. To any student considering Bridge Academy, I would say to pay attention during every meeting because you never know what might spark your interest. Although I knew I wanted to become a surgeon, hearing from professionals across different fields and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds broadened my perspective on the possibilities within healthcare.”

Ghofrane Gourrami | Hernando High School