Diversity

SMART Start Program
(Formerly Summer Bridge)

This 3-day mentoring program (Sunday, August 19 - Wednesday, August 22 at MSUM), formerly Summer Bridge, offers freshmen underserved MSUM students an all-expenses paid opportunity to get a head-start in making friends, engaging with faculty, and starting the year off strong. By participating in this mentoring program your students are even more likely to be successful in their first semester of college and persist to graduation. Some of the activities that the students will have the privilege of being a part in are a tour of the science center, Plains Art Museum tour (downtown), dinner with the Provost, "Write your own story", "Making friends and getting along with others" and Strengths Quest - Making the most of your personal and academic skills. To qualify for participation...

Students must be officially accepted to MSUM for the fall semester
Students must have a High School GPA of 2.8 or higher or must have received a cumulative ACT score of 20 or higher
Participants must identify with one of the following groups to qualify for the program

Come from a diverse ethnic minority background
Identify as a sexual minority
Are a first generation college student (neither of their parents attended college)
Come from a low income family

Please print and complete the following application [SMART Application]. After completion it can be mailed at the address below or it can be scanned and emailed to Matt Pearcey.

If you or any of your students have further questions about the SMART Start Program please call me at 218-477-2652 or email matthew.pearcey@mnstate.edu and I'll be happy to tell you more about it.

JOBS with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Want to make an impact on students by creating great events? Paid positions are now available for the upcoming academic year (12/13). For further information, contact Dr. Matt Pearcey at matthew.pearcey@mnstate.edu or call 477.2652. You must have a work study award (financial aid).

Please complete (and then print) the attached application (both pages) and include a resume. If you don't have a resume, please just indicate so (this is not a reason to not apply). Note that you must include your work availability on application. Deadline is Friday, August 31st, 4:30 pm.

2012 Application

Mission Statement

The Office of Diversity strives to be a supportive umbrella to all cultural movements and growths, and help each student of any background to be comfortable with their identity in order to become and give the best of themselves.