Muscat Scholars Program (MSP) Summer Bridge for First Generation Students - 2026
Program Overview and Purpose
The Muscat Scholars Program (MSP) Summer Bridge is a two-week immersion experience at the University of San Francisco (USF). It is geared towards providing first-generation undergraduate students with academic preparation, belonging, and mentorship as they begin their studies at USF. Starting Monday, July 27, 2027, to Thursday, August 6, 2027, MSP Scholars will participate in two remote courses geared toward their academic development.
For more information contact the Program Director for First Generation Initiatives, Ester Marquez Perez at emarquezperez@usfca.edu or (415) 422-2986.
Summer Bridge Courses
This is an academic program. MSP Scholars will complete two 1-credit courses as part of the Summer Bridge. All MSP Scholars will take the following courses:
- Intro to College Writing
- Muscat Scholars Program (MSP) Writing course by Dr. Melisa Garcia, Dr. Cynthia Schultes and Professor Paul S. Flores
- Course Description: This course is designed to lay a solid foundation for transforming you into sophisticated academic readers, writers and persistent students. Academic texts can be challenging on several levels. Many of them introduce you to concepts, vocabulary, dense information and style with which you may be unfamiliar but which you have to tackle in order to succeed. This course presents you with relatively challenging texts and gives you the tools to analyze and evaluate them critically. By the end of the course, students will have completed a final project that includes drafting and revising a short research essay based on class texts, as well as being guided in the essential process of peer review. It is expected that by the end of this brief course, you will be prepared to transfer the skills learned to other areas of academic writing at USF.
- One-MSP elective (Class topics may vary):
- 1. Hip-Hop Theater and Spoken Word Elective by Professor Paul s. Flores
- Course Description: This course will be an introduction to the evolving aesthetic principles, practices and sensibilities of Hip-Hop, with the intention of developing student Hip-Hop Theater performance through a combination lecture-workshop process. Hip-Hop theater is theatrical performance by, for and about the Hip-Hop generation, participants in Hip-Hop culture, or both as stated by Danny Hoch in Total Chaos: The Art & Aesthetics of Hip-Hop (ed. Jeff Chang). This is not a course about Rap music. We will not learn how to rap or break dance. This course is a historical and performative exploration into the artistic (aesthetic) legacy, philosophy and history of Hip-Hop e.g. “Hip-Hop, you don’t stop,” including an overview of the “Four Elements” (Djing, MCing/Rap, B-Boying and Graffiti), and how these physical and mental faculties are currently integrated into performed narratives for the stage. We will analyze the politics and community implied when bringing Hip-Hop aesthetics to the theater by breaking down the impact of multicultural and polycultural social environments that gave rise to Hip-Hop such as the Bronx, NYC in the 1970’s, Los Angeles in the 1990’s and today’s BLM. This is a multidisciplinary course. We will examine and create literary based (meaning: you write it first) oral performance narratives and Spoken Word influenced by the Beat Poets, Nuyorican Poets to rappers Chuck D, & N.W.A., to current spoken word artists Saul Williams and Mayda del Valle, to Russell Simmons Presents: Def Poetry on HBO. We will study the innovators of Hip-Hop Theater such as Danny Hoch, Will Power, Bamuthi, Universes, and Progress Theater. Each student will investigate and break down their own relationship to the Hip-Hop generation through in-class discussion of texts, as well as visual media featuring Hip-Hop Theater, music, spoken word, and other performance-based writers. These texts, media, and discussions will be the basis for creative writing exercises and theater improvisations. Students will write and create spoken word, poems, monologues and rap that require Hip-Hop storytelling techniques. The class culminates in a performance of student Hip-Hop monologues or small ensemble performances of 3-4 minutes in length that demonstrate your personal perspective, relationship, and role within the Hip-Hop generation.
- 2. Financial Literacy by Dr. Michelle Hector
- Course Description: This four-day financial literacy course is designed to empower first-generation college students at the University of San Francisco with practical money management skills tailored to their unique academic journey. Through engaging, relatable, and interactive lessons, students will gain confidence in handling personal finances, understand key financial systems, and develop strategies to support their long-term success in college and beyond.
- 3. Professionalism 101: USF & Beyond by Dr. Cynthia Schultes
- Course Description: This course is designed to help MSP students navigate the academic and professional expectations of life at the University of San Francisco and beyond. Using a “hands on” approach, we will focus on the development of skills such as professional communication (written and oral); time management, classroom and study strategies; career readiness; and community networking and engagement. Furthermore, students will be introduced to
campus resources that will become an integral part of their new support system. Sharing the practical knowledge
and tools to succeed, this course provides students with the confidence and sense of empowerment that will
carry them forward through their undergraduate program and into their professional careers.
- Course Description: This course is designed to help MSP students navigate the academic and professional expectations of life at the University of San Francisco and beyond. Using a “hands on” approach, we will focus on the development of skills such as professional communication (written and oral); time management, classroom and study strategies; career readiness; and community networking and engagement. Furthermore, students will be introduced to
Each of these courses is taught by University faculty/lecturers. If courses are completed successfully, students will receive one (1) credit per class completed toward graduation and grades contributing to their GPA. MSP Scholars who may need accommodations should register with the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS), and review the Accommodations and Services page.
Commitment
The Program Director for First Generation Initiatives and Peer Mentors developed a program designed to facilitate the success of the student participants. Due to overlapping programming and time commitments, MSP Summer Bridge participants may not participate in any of the Learning-Living Communities (LLCs)
In return, they expect student participants to make the following commitments:
- Be free of other obligations for the duration of the program (e.g., jobs, rehearsals, practices, non-MSP classes, and activities). The program is intensive and does not allow for outside activities.
- Reside in the Burl A. Toler Residence Hall for the duration of the first-year at USF.
- Register for RHET 103 - Public Speaking (4 credits) in Fall 2027 designated for MSP Summer Bridge 2025 participants.
- Attend and actively participate in classes, workshops, and other activities sponsored by the Muscat Scholars Program.
Participants become official University of San Francisco students once they begin the program. All policies, procedures, and disciplinary policies are expected to be adhered to. See the Fogcutter Student Handbook at https://myusf.usfca.edu/fogcutter for more details.
If Scholars fail to commit to any of these points, we reserve the right to remove participants from the program and/or have participant conduct reviewed by administrative staff.