October 8th, 2025
The partnership between Merced College and regional high schools stands out as a powerful model of educational leadership and systemic alignment. The institutions are engaged in the Math Bridge Project, a pioneering academic intervention that bridges the gap between high school and college mathematics, creating a seamless transition for students.
Math Bridge is a comprehensive strategy designed to identify students struggling in mathematics, intervene with aligned instruction, and ensure ongoing improvement through data-driven analysis. It provides a supported, credit-bearing alternative that allows students to engage with college-level content with guidance from their high school instructors.
“Last semester helped me feel more prepared and confident to tackle the college content this spring.”
— Michelle, Golden Valley High School
Math Bridge in the Merced area began with a clear vision from Merced College President Chris Vitelli, who recognized the need for systemic math instruction reform. During a strategy session with key college leaders, including vice presidents, deans of instruction, and department chairs, Vitelli identified Math Bridge as a strategic intervention, not just a dual enrollment opportunity.
Vitelli’s leadership brought high school and college instructional leaders together for meaningful dialogue. He invited superintendents and site principals to an in-person summit, where he emphasized that this was a college-initiated invitation to solve a shared instructional challenge. His message: alignment between high school and college math is essential for student success.
This meeting was a turning point. It created a space for candid discussions, buy-in, and a united commitment to academic equity.
“This project provides students with the opportunity to transition smoothly from high school to college-level math, a key gateway to success in many fields.”
— President Chris Vitelli, Merced College
Thanks to the collective leadership across institutions, Math Bridge served 147 students across Merced County (2024 school year) and has nearly doubled their numbers for the 2025-2026 school year. Participating schools include:
“This is my favorite math class ever. I have the highest grade in math that I’ve ever had. Also, it is awesome getting college credits during high school.”
— Isabella, Mariposa High School
One of the key leaders in implementing Math Bridge is Dr. Marie Bruley, Dean of Instruction for STEM at Merced College. With 18 years of teaching experience in mathematics, from pre-algebra to differential equations, Dr. Bruley brought both expertise and empathy to the initiative.
“Math Bridge is giving students an opportunity to meet their educational challenges in a supportive environment so they can realize their educational dreams.”
— Dr. Marie Bruley
Her leadership was instrumental in securing faculty support and ensuring that implementation was both smooth and impactful.
Professor Kristi Rieg accepted Dr. Bruley’s invitation to join the project, becoming an instrumental leader. By assisting her high school counterparts with the planning and co-instruction, she’s paving the way for students to explore new possibilities and pathways for their futures.
“Once they take the course, they’re done, which opens doors for whatever they choose next!”
— Krisit Rieg
On the district side, Stacey Cool, Program Administrator for Curriculum & Instruction at MUHSD, has a vital role in aligning the program with district goals. Her team ensures that recruitment, data analysis, and professional learning are integrated and sustained.
“Math Bridge provides the opportunity for everyone to be in the same room and have important conversations regarding student trajectories and academic outcomes.”
— Stacey Cool, MUHSD
A key component of the program’s success is the ongoing collaboration between college and high school faculty. Instructional teams regularly analyze student work to identify what’s working and adjust instruction as needed. This process fosters a culture of continuous improvement and shared responsibility.
“So far, the content is manageable and easy to understand. Ms. Mercado explains things well and is always there to help if I get stuck or have a problem.”
— Nancy, Livingston High School
“I really like using Canvas for all of our assignments. It makes deadlines easy to keep track of and helps me stay organized and on top of my homework.”
— Katelyn, Livingston High School
This kind of embedded collaboration is rare, and it’s what makes Math Bridge a best practice in educational leadership. Rather than working in silos, faculty, counselors, administrators, and instructional leaders come together to support students holistically.
“By aligning high school curriculum with college-level standards and providing professional development for educators, we are setting a strong foundation for future growth and success for students in our community.”
— President Chris Vitelli
The Merced Math Bridge partnership stands as a shining example of best practices in educational leadership, demonstrating what’s possible when K-12 and higher education work hand in hand. With leadership from dedicated administrators, strategic alignment of instruction, and a shared vision for student success, this initiative is helping more students than ever transition into college and thrive once they get there.
Are you an educator or school leader interested in transforming the math journey at your school or campus? Explore our website at https://college-bridge.org/ to learn more about the Math Bridge project, discover how it’s making an impact, and find out how you can become involved.
— Audra Burwell, Communication Coordinator