Jax State Sophomore Cole Bridges Earns National Student Fellowship

10/06/2026

Jordan Smith Undergraduate Student Fellowship recognizes students committed to improving the first-year college experience

By Brett Buckner

Cole Bridges recently won the Jordan Smith Undergraduate Student Fellowship, which is awarded annually by the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition at the University of South Carolina. The national organization conducts and publishes research on best practices for supporting students in transition within higher education.

Bridges was nominated for the fellowship by his advisors, Keaton Glass and Olivia Fields, who informed him over the summer that he’d won.

“Truthfully, I was very surprised when I got the email.” Bridges said.

When nominating a student for the fellowship, Glass looks for someone who has made a meaningful impact on new students and has demonstrated a commitment to mentoring and supporting their peers.

“What stands out most about Cole is his constant desire to improve the first-year experience for others,” said Glass, director of Jax State’s First and Second Year Experience.​

“I nominated him not only because he identifies opportunities for improvement, but because he takes action on his ideas,” Glass said. “Many students possess passion and vision, but Cole consistently pairs those qualities with hard work and a willingness to invest his time in improving the campus experience.”

Bridges is the third Jax State student to receive the fellowship.

In 2024, Olivia Fields received the award, followed by Trey Marshall in 2026. Both are listed on the National Resource Center's past recipients website. Fields works full-time as Jax State’s Peer Mentoring Coordinator, while Marshall is a senior who serves as a student assistant helping lead several Jax State programs, including Gamecock Orientation, Freshman Forum and Lambda Sigma.

“That’s really why I was surprised,” said Bridges, a 19-year-old sophomore from Jacksonville. “At the time they won, they were a little further along in their college journey than I am. I'm only in my second year.”

Bridges is heavily involved on campus, holding roles including Lambda Sigma President, Honors College Representative, Freshman Forum Mentor and Jax State Ambassador.

He attributes much of his desire to pursue leadership roles to his experience with Freshman Forum.

“I was also pretty involved in high school, especially during my junior and senior years, and I knew that I wanted to continue that in college. So, the day after my Gamecock Orientation session, my Freshman Forum application was submitted. I knew immediately I wanted to do as much as I could.”

Bridges is also a first-generation college student.

As a Jax State Ambassador, Bridges sees himself as being “the personification of the university,” serving as one of the first faces prospective students encounter on campus and working to uphold Jax State’s identity as “The Friendliest Campus in the South.”

Bridges believes his experience with Freshman Forum helped put him on that track.

“I give Freshman Forum a lot of credit,” he said, “because now I'm a lot more confident in doing things just in general.”

As part of the award, recipients attend the national conference, where they network with leaders in the field of first-year experience and student transition, learn about emerging best practices, and are recognized at a private awards ceremony.

“Both Olivia and Trey were highly involved students who expressed an interest in pursuing graduate education and potentially careers in higher education,” Glass said. “Cole demonstrates that same drive. He has shared his passion for education and his plans to continue his studies through law school after graduation.”

Bridges has built an impressive record of achievement. He is a member of the Honors College, participated in a weeklong law school program through Cumberland School of Law as a Cumberland Scholar this summer, and maintains a strong academic record, Glass said.

“Having Cole represent Jax State continues to showcase the exceptional students we have on our campus,” Glass said. “Cole is a local student who grew up around Jax State and has long been connected to the university. It is both encouraging and rewarding to see someone like Cole represent our community and institution on a national stage.”

To be a strong leader and mentor, Bridges emphasizes the importance of being approachable and supportive across a wide range of situations.

“I just want to make sure that people feel comfortable coming to me,” he said. “I want to be the reason that someone decides to come here to JSU, because it's been so impactful for me in just one year, and I know that it can be that for someone else.”