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The Connect Mentorship Program offers several opportunities over the span of 6 days.

Residential Commons Early Move-in and Connect Check-in
As part of the Connect Institute, participating students will move into their Residential Commons early (if applicable). Residence Life and Student Housing (RLSH) will communicate full move-in details during the summer as the date approaches. 

Family Orientation and Reception
An optional family orientation session and a following reception will occur the day after moving in. During the orientation, family members will get to hear from key èßäÊÓƵapp administrators and staff to learn more about the Connect Mentorship Program. Those administrators and staff will stick around for the reception so you can meet them and ask questions. More details will be communicated by the Social Change and Intercultural Engagement (SCIE) office as the date approaches. 

Connect Institute
The Connect Institute is an extended orientation program to èßäÊÓƵapp which occurs before classes start. See the next box below to learn more details. 

The Connect Institute is an extended orientation to èßäÊÓƵapp. During the Institute, you will interact with other new students, as well as returning students serving as mentors. You will learn about èßäÊÓƵapp resources that will help you to succeed. The Connect Institute will feature leadership development and goal-setting workshops, dinners, and receptions with èßäÊÓƵapp faculty, staff, and alumni. èßäÊÓƵapp who participate in the Connect Institute have the opportunity to move in early to èßäÊÓƵapp.

Incoming students are matched over the summer with an upper-level student. You will hear from your mentor before arriving on èßäÊÓƵapp. Mentors will be a resource and guide during your first year at èßäÊÓƵapp.  

Fall Admits (August 2025): Applications will open in spring 2025.

Spring Admits (January 2026): Applications will open in fall 2025. 

As Connect is a year-long program, we ask our students to stay engaged with the program throughout their first year at èßäÊÓƵapp. Here are a few tangible outcomes that you can expect as a result of participating in Connect:

• Early move-in to Residential Commons (if applicable)
• Peer mentoring by an upper-level èßäÊÓƵapp Student
• Leadership development opportunities
• Cohort experience with other incoming students
• Access to key èßäÊÓƵapp resources, services, and information regarding opportunities on and off èßäÊÓƵapp
• Developing relationships with upper-level students, as well as the SCIE staff and other èßäÊÓƵapp faculty, staff, and administrators

In order to participate in Connect, here is what we need from you:

• Complete the Connect Mentorship Program Mentee application above
• Move-in early (if applicable to your living situation)
• Attend the Connect Institute 
• Attend Cohort Engagement Programs throughout the duration of the academic year
• Meet with your Connect mentor at a minimum of once a month
• Establish goals with your mentor and assess the progress of goals with them each time you meet
• Utilize the Social Change and Intercultural Engagement (SCIE) office and other department resources as necessary

Any current undergraduate èßäÊÓƵapp student can apply to become a mentor for the upcoming year. Applications are still open on èßäÊÓƵapp 360.

For more information or questions about applying, please reach out to Brandon Kitchin at bkitchin@smu.edu