Jacket Link

Jacket LINK: Leadership, Inclusion, Networking and Knowledge

Monday, August 19 through Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Jacket LINK (JL) is a program designed to provide incoming first-year and transfer students with the necessary tools and resources needed to jumpstart their experience at BW.

Preceding the Week of Welcome (WOW), students spend three days on campus connecting with mentors, getting familiar with campus resources and services. Beyond the summer portion of the program, Jacket LINK aims to provide a welcoming and supportive community for students throughout the academic year. Students are provided with activities and resources with an emphasis on academic readiness, campus support and social/cultural enrichment.

All other expenses (i.e., meals and cultural/social activities) will be covered by Baldwin Wallace University for the summer bridge portion of the program.

We have reached capacity for the 2024-25 cohort of Jacket LINK and are no longer accepting applications. Please contact the Center for Inclusion staff at diversity@bw.edu if you have any questions.

Why Jacket LINK?

Jacket LINK is a year-long mentoring program that begins with a three-day programming intensive August 19-21, continues throughout the academic year, and ends at the close of the spring 2025 semester.

JL will challenge you, give you more confidence, provide you with knowledge about BW's campus and help you feel at home at BW. Below, you will find a few more reasons why participating in the program can be rewarding.

L- Leadership

• JL mentees are awarded textbook vouchers to be used toward the cost of textbooks or school supplies purchased in the BW Bookstore.
• JL mentees receive assistance in the preparation and procedures for applying for BW campus student employment.
• JL mentees are given access to enrichment programming and service projects.

I-Inclusion

• From September through May, JL participants will engage in social/cultural events on and off campus.
• Each JL participant is partnered with a current BW student to serve as a peer mentor during the academic year.
• Participating in Jacket LINK allows incoming students the opportunity to make social connections with a diverse groups of students who share a common focus.

N- Networking

• Participating in Jacket LINK allows incoming students the opportunity to meet faculty, staff and peer mentors before classes begin.
• Participating in Jacket LINK allows incoming students to develop a sense of community and belonging.
• Participating in Jacket LINK allows incoming students to have a shared learning experience inside and outside of the classroom.

K-Knowledge

• Jacket LINK mentees move in or commute early to become acquainted with BW's campus (Monday, August 19, prior to Week of Welcome).
• Jacket LINK mentees gain an edge over other incoming freshman with early access and exposure to campus life and resources.
• Jacket LINK mentees receive individualized academic support throughout the first year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time commitment?

A mandatory summer programming intensive takes place three days prior to Week of Welcome, Monday, August 19 through Wednesday, August 21. Residence hall students will have an early move-in date and will not be assessed an additional fee.

To ensure that first year students can participate, the majority of the Jacket LINK programming during the fall and spring semester is optional.

JL mentees are required to have at least one face to face meeting with their peer mentor each semester.

Is there a fee?

All programming expenses (i.e., meals and cultural/social activities) will be covered by Baldwin Wallace University for the summer portion of the program.

Residence hall students will have an early move-in date and will not be assessed an additional fee.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in applying to the Jacket LINK program, complete the short online application by the final priority deadline, Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 11:30 p.m.

Contact Us

Please contact the Center for Inclusion to learn more about Jacket LINK.

(440) 826-2104, diversity@bw.edu