Academic Workshops
The following courses are among those taught on a daily basis:
Quantitative Skills: In addition to basic math, students review algebra, logarithms, functions, and graphing of functions.
Reading and Rhetoric/Literature: Assignments include reading and analysis of selected fiction and nonfiction. Weekly papers are required.
As part of the Office of Equity and Inclusion is committed to supporting scholars through their first year at Bard College. We provide advising, peer support, programs, and resources as students navigate their first year requirements and begin their college experience.
Summer Program
The primary objective during this two-week program is to ensure that the Equity and Inclusion scholars have the necessary resources to be successful in their first year at Bard College. This includes academic workshops, sessions with campus partners, and activities led by student leaders.
College Success Series
The College Success Series aims to provide Equity and Inclusion Scholars with the tools to approach academic, personal, social, and emotional life at Bard College in a holistic manner. Throughout the summer program, the non-lecture based series strives to ensure that students will use past experiences, present outlooks, and future goals to inform a student’s individual goals and desires.
Summer Peer Support
The Summer OEI Liaisons are current OEI Scholars who support incoming first year scholars as experienced resources of OEI and Bard College throughout the Summer Program. OEI Liaisons are positive role models who are here for you! They are additional supports in the classroom, helping you with homework and growing your academic skills. Liaisons live in the residence halls with you and host community building events, helping you acclimate to life at Bard.
OEI Liaisons
About
The OEI Liaison Program cultivates a holistic support system to incoming first years through pairing them with current scholars that will assist in their transition to college based on our six pillars: health, community, intellectual, academic/professional, emotional, and self-actualization. Our paraprofessional staff enhances the experience and help navigate systemic challenges of other OEI Scholars through intentional interactions, programming, and fostering an inclusive, diverse community.
Peer Networks
Liaisons host educational programs throughout the semester that create and maintain an accepting, respectful, and friendly atmosphere that stimulates student learning and development. The goals of these programs include learning outcomes that will assist the first year students in development of academic, personal, and professional areas. These workshops for first-year students will give a better sense of navigating your years to come at Bard!
Meet the 23–24 Academic Liaisons
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Joanna J.(She/They) | ’24 | Lead Liaison
Major: Psychology
Joanna J.
(She/They) | ’24 | Lead Liaison
Major: Psychology
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
I hope to continue to pay it forward and provide the unconditional support and insight that I received from the older and past OEI Liaisons.
Why Bard?
I wanted to go to a college where I would be supported. Knowing that I have a community through OEI was the main decision to why I chose Bard. Not only am I provided community, I am consistently pushed to follow my dreams with the support that they provide.
If students were to strike up a conversation with you, what stuff should they ask you about?
Anything. I’m an open book. And if I don’t have the answers, I may know someone who does.
What is something you recommend to future Bardians?
Don’t sell yourself short. If there’s something you want to do, believe you can do it! It will sort itself out if you believe.
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
Volleyball, shows, psychology, the Caribbean, and roller skating! -
Sydney W.(She/Her) | ’24 | Lead Liaison
Major: Film & Electronic Arts + Philosophy
Sydney W.
(She/Her) | ’24 | Lead Liaison
Major: Film & Electronic Arts + Philosophy
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
As a Lead Liaison, I look forward to helping students think about their lives post-grad early on so that they have the tools that they need to exceed financially, professionally, and with self-care!
Why Bard?
I chose Bard because I wanted to spend my four years of undergrad at a place that would allow for me to experiment with my craft and explore new thoughts/ideas that I may not have had the ability to do anywhere else.
If students were to strike up a conversation with you, what stuff should they ask you about?
Marvel, financial literacy, being a gym girlie, cooking veggie meals!
What is something you recommend to future Bardians?
Treat Bard like your side hustle because you are your 9-to-5 and your 24/7.
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
Doing at-home spa days, playing with clay, trying a new gym workout, or making smoothies! -
Aissatou B.(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Architecture
Aissatou B.
(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Architecture
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
As an OEI Liaison, I will provide information and help other scholars to navigate Bard for their first-year experience.
What is one thing you recommend to future Bardians?
Bring homemade food with you for the first weeks at Bard!
If students were to strike up a conversation with youm what stuff should they ask you about?
A conversation that includes talking about romance books, anime, the dance team at Bard, the reading club, student organization, and about the MSO club.
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
Some things I like to do are read, skateboard, dance, watch anime, hang out with friends, and eat! -
Brenda L.(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Psychology
Brenda L.
(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Psychology
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
I hope to help those who are shy and lost about the different resources OEI and Bard provides students with. It can be overwhelming when you are offered different resources and don’t know where to start, so I want to help people start. I also hope my wisdom and advice on places to study and how to choose classes can help.
Why Bard?
I chose Bard because it reminds me of where I'm from in Mexico. I grew up in the city and have never gotten used to it. I chose Bard because, not only was it rural, it was also a small campus. My high school was small too, with only 400 people in total, so I came to Bard with the small number of students in mind. A small campus provides a connection between teacher and student, which is what I wanted most in college.
If students were to strike up a conversation with you, what stuff should they ask you about?
I like to talk about music and any introverted activities such as self care, reading, nature walks, etc.
What is something you recommend to future Bardians?
The main thing would be to find a way to organize your time, classes, and activities on Google Calendar or any other tool. The second would be to learn the bus schedule.
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
When I am not studying, I'm either in my bed or on a walk. My safe space is my room, and usually I lay on my bed and watch YouTube videos about anything and everything. Food, fashion, countries, music reviews, etc. Coming to Bard, I realized I loved taking nature walks. All around campus there's nature, and just walking without a particular destination while my favorite playlist is on is something I love doing. -
Christopher P.(He/Him) | ’26
Major: Psychology and Sociology
Christopher P.
(He/Him) | ’26
Major: Psychology and Sociology
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
As an OEI Liaison, I want to make sure that other OEI scholars experience a smooth transition from high school to college, because I know it can be really difficult leaving a part of your life behind and having to start all over again. I want to be able to be there for the first years throughout all of the obstacles and successes they encounter upon arriving to Bard. It is truly magical to see the growth of oneself when looking back to the beginning of where its all began.
Why Bard?
I chose Bard because I knew that I did not want to pursue my postsecondary education in the city, but I also didn't want to be too far from home. Bard's campus is very rural, unlike where I am from, so it would allow me to focus on my academics without any distractions. The small class sizes and low student to faculty ratio was extremely inviting and has provided me with the opportunity to build close-knit relationships with the faculty here.
If students were to strike up a conversation with you, what stuff should they ask you about?
You should ask me about what type of music I'm interested in, my favorite foods, and places I want to travel to in the future.
What is something you recommend to future Bardians?
Don't be afraid to be yourself! Be open into trying new things!
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
I love playing volleyball, hanging out with my friends, and going out on food dates in the city! -
Dashely J.(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Art History and Architecture
Dashely J.
(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Art History and Architecture
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
Why Bard?
If students were to strike up a conversation with you, what stuff should they ask you about?
Ask me about music, movies, or anything related to art!
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
Listening to music, cleaning, watching movies, or hanging out with my friends. -
Greliza T.(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Global International Studies
Greliza T.
(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Global International Studies
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
I hope to be for other scholars what my OEI Liaison has been to me. Someone they can count on to always support them, who has their best interest at heart, and who wants to see them succeed and flourish here at Bard.
Why Bard?
I chose Bard because of Kappa. When I visited the school, I was overwhelmed by all the love and the sense of community I observed. I immediately knew that I wanted to be a part of it and just had to come here.
If students were to strike up a conversation with you, what stuff should they ask you about?
Ask me about my culture!
What is something you recommend to future Bardians?
One thing I recommend to future Bardians is to come into it with an open mind. You're going to have so many new experiences, and you're going to grow so much from each and every one of them. Don't be scared of change!
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
I love to read a good book in bed. When I am not studying, you can find me at Gilson watching a movie and cooking with my friends. -
Karla Z.(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Computer Science
Karla Z.
(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Computer Science
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
I hope to help other scholars by supporting them academically, mentally, and emotionally. I hope to be there to help them cross the many hurdles that can come from attending college for the first time. I hope they can find me as a safe space and tell me their worries. We will both work through it together. I hope to be of assistance for their academic worries, too.
Why Bard?
I chose Bard because, although the campus seems big at first glance, you can build such great relationships with everyone: professors, friends, staff, students, and even strangers. I also chose Bard because of the small classes and nature surrounding it.
If students were to strike up a conversation with you, what stuff should they ask you about?
Ask me about healthful living, self care, mindfulness, navigating Poughkeepsie, watercolor, cosmetics, and really anything! I am always open to new topics and ideas.
What is something you recommend to future Bardians?
I recommend going to events to connect with the community, to not be afraid to stand out, and to enjoy solitude in nature.
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
When I'm not studying, you can find me in the gym. On a good day, I spend most of my day there or doing some sort of physical activity. But you can also find me doing watercolor, listening to a podcast, or reading a book. -
Katelyn C.(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Biology
Katelyn C.
(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Biology
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
I hope to make Bard seem less daunting to incoming students. Being away from home can be nerve-racking at times, but I hope I can make the transition as positive as can be.
Why Bard?
I knew I always wanted to go away from home for college, but with my financial situation it only left SUNY schools available, most of which are really big. Although I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford it, I still applied to Bard, because I really liked the idea of Bard. When I found out about HEOP, I took it as a sign and just ran with it, and now I’m here.
If students were to strike up a conversation with you, what stuff should they ask you about?
Getting involved on campus, knitting, self care, iPad planners, the Biology Program at Bard, and anything you want.
What is something you recommend to future Bardians?
Look into programs that you want to do while at Bard now and talk to your adviser about the timeline for each one. Then you can roughly plan out your semesters here at Bard.
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
Swimming, making my iPad aesthetically pleasing, knitting, and embroidering! -
Melina N.(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Psychology and Italian Studies
Melina N.
(She/Her) | ’26
Major: Psychology and Italian Studies
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
I hope to help first year scholars by being their friend and helping them get through their first year.
Why Bard?
Bard is small, close to home, and has a good Psychology Program!
If students were to strike up a conversation with you, what stuff should they ask you about?
Being a club head, community, sociology, time management, self care, and love!
What is something you recommend to future Bardians?
Try the ice cream at Halal Bros!
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
Ask me about my favorite type of cat! In my downtime, I like reading horror/mystery books and listening to Italian music. -
Norwood K.(Any/All) | ’26
Major: Sociology and Music Composition with a Concentration in Gender Sexuality Studies
Norwood K.
(Any/All) | ’26
Major: Sociology and Music Composition with a Concentration in Gender Sexuality Studies
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
I hope to help first year scholars by helping to get them engaged with the OEI and Bard communities.
Why Bard?
It's close to my home, and I love NYC.
If students were to strike up a conversation with you, what stuff should they ask you about?
Traveling and sociology.
What is something you recommend to future Bardians?
Join Clay Club!
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
I like reading ethnographies, listening to music, and watching movies. -
Yadier P.(He/Him) | ’26
Major: Theater and Performance
Yadier P.
(He/Him) | ’26
Major: Theater and Performance
How do you hope to help other scholars in your role?
My scholarship has given me the opportunity to connect with the best community of artists, scientists, educators, athletes, and politicians full of courage, heart, and love. All the while giving me a third family within the members of my PR Posse.
Why Bard?
Despite not being able to choose my school, I'm grateful to have come to Bard, as within this weird and wacky place I've been able to thrive in an environment that has both seen me as I am and has challenged me to grow in a way I would have not been able to do back home.
If students were to strike up a conversation with you, what stuff should they ask you about?
Anything. I'm an open book, although sometimes there's certain chapters that I don't reveal from the jump, because that would be a spoiler.
What is something you recommend to future Bardians?
It's not about where you are, it's about where you are going to be when given the chance.
What are your favorite hobbies or interests?
For fun I write music or poetry. I also play video games or watch movies/TV shows. When I am not studying, you can find me in the Fisher Center.
