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SMART Start Program

SMART Start Program
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Empower Success on MSUM Giving Day: Support SMART Start

Minnesota State University Moorhead is committed to fostering a culture of student success and completion, and SMART Start is a pivotal part of this commitment. SMART Start, which stands for "Student Mentoring Academic Resource Team," is a program dedicated to ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds have the tools and support they need to succeed during their transition from high school to college.

Why SMART Start Matters:
The journey from high school to college can be filled with challenges, and that's where SMART Start steps in. This program eliminates social and psychological barriers that can hinder student success in both the classroom and the wider college community. SMART Start empowers students to build meaningful connections with their peers, student mentors, and professors, setting them on a path to success marked by hard work and collaboration.

Supporting SMART Start on MSUM Giving Day:

Your support on MSUM Giving Day directly impacts SMART Start, enabling us to continue providing invaluable resources and opportunities to students. With your help, we can ensure that every student's journey from high school to college is marked by a sense of belonging, academic success, and a supportive community.

Your support on MSUM Giving Day means you are empowering success. By donating to SMART Start, you help students navigate their path from high school to college with confidence, resources, and the support of a caring community.


Make an Impact: Support SMART Start on MSUM Giving Day - Because Success Starts with a Strong Beginning.

Who Benefits from SMART Start:

SMART Start is designed for admitted MSUM students who identify as any of the following:

  • African American/Black
  • American Indian/Alaska Native – Indigenous
  • Asian/Pacific Islander
  • Hispanic/Latinx
  • LGBTQI2A+
  • First-generation
  • Pell Grant eligible

Key Components of the SMART Start Program:

Early Move-in: SMART Start participants can move in early, with the cost of early arrival covered by MSUM. This early start provides students with an opportunity to settle into their new environment and get acquainted with the campus.
Connection and Belonging: SMART Start offers a variety of academic and social programming that allows students to build connections, form lasting friendships, and develop a sense of belonging. The program is peer-led, and many SMART Start Mentors were once program participants, ensuring relatability and strong support.
Academic Course Component: SMART Start participants have two academic options to choose from:
  • Math Course: Enrollment in a math course (placement determined by ACT/SAT scores or Math Accuplacer) AND Math 101, a critical-thinking math support course that extends into the first semester. This course fulfills two graduation requirements: the First Year Experience (FYE) and Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum (LASC) Goal Area 2.
  • First-Year Experience (FYE): This introductory course equips students with the critical thinking skills needed for both personal and academic success. FYE is a graduation requirement for students entering MSUM with fewer than 24 transferable credit hours.

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