Summer Bridge Helps Incoming Clark Scholars Build Product Management Skills and Community

Eleven incoming Duke Christensen Family Center for Innovation’s A. James Clark Scholars arrived on campus early for the 2026 Clark Scholars Summer Bridge Program held on Aug 3-14. During the two-week experience, the scholars gained an introduction to product management, became familiar with Duke and Durham, and began building the peer support network that will help them navigate their first year as engineering students.

Program Coordinator Amanda McCawley, previously a product manager in big tech, led a product management bootcamp that introduced students to tools and approaches for understanding users, researching markets, evaluating opportunities, and developing products. The scholars applied these concepts to a real challenge through a partnership with Donna Parker and Brian Blackmon from the Duke Clinical Research Institute’s (DCRI) i-Cubed Center.

Parker and Blackmon invited the students to examine Project Loom, an AI platform developed by DCRI’s i-Cubed Center to help make clinical trials easier, faster, and less expensive. Working in teams, the scholars conducted research, navigated ambiguous questions, and developed recommendations for the DCRI team. They presented their findings to DCRI leaders on the final day of the program.

Donna Parker, Operations Director for i-Cubed, highlighted the impact of the scholars’ work: “The students were outstanding to work with. They asked thoughtful questions, developed practical recommendations, and delivered perspectives that have already helped shape our work on Project Loom. We appreciated both the quality of their contributions and the opportunity to participate in what was clearly a meaningful learning experience.” 

For many scholars, the experience transformed product management from an unfamiliar concept into a practical and approachable process. Clark Scholar Hassan Chouhdry from Lahore, Pakistan shared: “When I used to think of making a company, I was very confused about how to approach it, but Amanda laid out a very cohesive way for how you turn an idea into a product.”

The bootcamp successfully connected classroom learning with real-world career exploration. Clark Scholar Caroline Wang from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, reflected about her experience: “The bootcamp really influenced me to look at product management as a strong option for my future career choice, and I’m grateful for the first-person experience Amanda was able to convey to us both through her experiences and in the challenges we were given.”

Four rising sophomore Clark Scholars led social activities that helped the incoming students explore Duke and Durham, establish routines, and get to know one another. Post-program feedback showed that students left Summer Bridge feeling more comfortable on campus, better equipped to manage their time, and strongly connected to their cohort. Students frequently described the relationships they formed as one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.

“I am extremely grateful and happy to have gotten the opportunity to connect with a cohort of the most talented and compassionate people,” said Clark Scholar Rimmal Sheikh from Lahore, Pakistan. “The whole program has felt so inclusive and supportive, and I feel incredibly lucky to be here.”

The incoming Clark Scholars entered their first semester with practical tools, greater confidence, and a stronger foundation for the academic year ahead.