SMART Start Program

These are the major components of the SMART Start Program:

• Early Move-in
  Students who participate in the program can move in early with the cost of early arrival covered by MSUM.
• Connection and Belonging
  Through a variety of academic and social programming, students will have opportunities to build community and make connections. The cohorts are peer-led, and many of our SMART Start Mentors were previous participants in the program!
• Academic Course Component
  • Enrollment in a math course (placement is determined by your ACT/SAT or your Math Accuplacer score) AND Math 101, A critical-thinking math support course which begins the week of the program and continues into the first semester. The course fulfills two graduation requirements: completion of a First Year Experience (FYE) and Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum (LASC) Goal Area 2. 
    OR
  • First Year Experience (FYE) An introductory course to the demands and challenges of higher education. The course is designed to help students develop the critical thinking skills needed for both personal and academic success. The course is a graduation requirement for students entering MSUM with less than 24 transferrable credit hours.

Sophomore, Anthropology (Cultural) & East Asian Studies (Japanese Lang/Culture)

• Campus & Community Involvement: American Indian Student Association (AISA), Rainbow Dragon Learning Community (previously in Global Connections LC), Programming Assistant in Office of Diversity & Inclusion
• Favorite aspect of MSUM: My favorite aspect of MSUM is that faculty and staff are willing to listen to student concerns. They hear us out and do all they can to help us.
• What are you most looking forward to about SMART Start this year? I am excited to meet incoming mentees! (And to move in early.)
• Fun fact: I was one of the few competitors from the Pine Ridge Reservation at the International Youth Poetry Slam: Brave New Voices.

Sophomore, Social Work

• Campus & Community Involvement: Club volleyball, Rape and Abuse Crisis Center volunteer, YMCA after school child care, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Favorite aspect of MSUM: Smaller class sizes to better connect with professors
• What are you most looking forward to about SMART Start this year? Seeing new faces ready to start their future at MSUM and to help the SMART Start students adjust to their new situations
• Fun fact: I’ve been playing volleyball for 9 years now and I can make a three-leafed clover with my tongue (:

Sophomore, Undecided

• Campus & Community Involvement: Intramural volleyball and I work at the Boys and Girls Club
• Favorite aspect of MSUM: My favorite aspect of MSUM is the campus size. Everything is easy to get to and since campus is smaller you actually get to make connections with people and become familiar with a lot of faces.
• What are you most looking forward to about SMART Start this year? I’m looking forward to meeting new people, the activities that we’ll get to do together and welcoming the SMART Start students so they feel more familiar with campus.
• Fun Fact: I was born in Honduras so I’m fluent in Spanish and I’m also terrified of worms.

Sophomore, Social Work

• Campus & Community Involvement: American Indian Student Association, Rainbow Dragon Learning Community, Volunteer Work at West Central Regional Juvenile Center
• Favorite aspect of MSUM: My favorite aspect is the close community I have with the LC I am a currently in.
• What are you most looking forward to about SMART Start this year? I’m excited to move in early so I do not have to deal with the anxieties about move in day.
• Fun fact: I was a part of a winning video for the 2015 The Great American No Bull Challenge at a national level titled “Paper Hearts”.

Sophomore, Undeclared but currently taking business courses and thinking about minoring in Communications.

• Campus & Community Involvement: Apart of the BSU-Black Student Union, STLF – Students Today Leaders Forever, College against Cancer, Chi Alpha small group and the Smart Program. I volunteer at the Cats Cradle shelter. I work in the Deans Office College of Science, Health, and the Environment in Hagen Hall. I have a job off campus at Clubhouse Hotel and Suites in Fargo, ND.
• Favorite aspect of MSUM: The smaller campus so getting involved is a great way to meet new people from all parts of the world and make lifelong friendships.
• What are you most looking forward to about SMART Start this year? I am looking forward to the impact I will make by creating memories and getting a chance to see a new perspective as a mentor this year.
• Fun fact: Last summer I spent my 18th birthday in France while studying abroad as a graduation gift to myself.

Senior, Film Production

• Campus & Community Involvement: Diversity Dance Crew, Korea Club
• Favorite aspect of MSUM: The community it brings together as well as the opportunities it provides.
• What are you most looking forward to about SMART Start this year? I am looking forward to meeting students and going to Maplewood State Park.
• Fun fact: I want to live in another country for my career.

Sophomore, Business

• Campus & Community Involvement: Black Student Union, Cru, record the football team, learning community, Emerging Leaders, SMART Start
• Favorite aspect of MSUM: Pretty campus
• What are you most looking forward to about SMART Start this year? I can’t wait to meet all of the incoming freshmen
• Fun fact: I was the princess of Columbia Heights