SMART Start Program
SMART Start (Student Mentoring Academic Resource Team) is a program for motivated students who are ready to work hard to be successful in college.  Participants engage in a community that supports first year students’ transition to life at Minnesota State Moorhead. Historically, after participating in SMART Start, students outperform their peers in all subject areas and become leaders on the Moorhead campus.  If you express one of the identities below and are excited to join a community that will ease your transition to college, then SMART Start is the place for you.
- Black or African American
- Asian
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Hispanic or Latino
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- First Generation College Student
- Income Eligible (Pell-eligible, eligible for federal assistance programs ex. free or reduced-price meals, TANF, SNAP benefits, etc.)
- LGBTQIA2S+
*Please refer to for further guidance on the terms above.
Moorhead thanks the Minnesota Office of Higher Education Intervention for College Attendance Grants for making it possible for students to participate in the SMART Start Program at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions about SMART Start
The Class of 2025-26 start has been filled. If you would like to get on the wait list or have any questions about SMART Start, please contact Erienne Fawcett.
SMART Start Schedule Printable [ XLSX ]
Sunday August 17 Schedule for Admitted 2025 SMART Start Learners
10:00 am - Noon (12:00 pm) | Move-in | Your Respective Residence Halls
Your keys must be picked up between 10 AM and NOON. Please go to your respective halls and get your keys and move into your rooms. This is the time to move your items into your rooms, make those last-minute supply runs and spend some time with family and friends.
5:00 pm | Quick Connections | Comstock Memorial Union Sun Garden Lounge
This session is for Fall 2025 SMART Start learners only. All SMART start learners that are living both on and off campus are required to come and meet the rest of your cohort for the first time and prepare for the week ahead.
5:00 pm | Family and Guest Q & A | Comstock Memorial Union Room 205
This session is meant for the family and guests of the Fall 2025 SMART Start cohort. Here you will be able to meet the directors of the program Dr. Adam Goyt, Megan Jensen and Erienne Fawcett and ask them any questions you may have about the SMART Start program or what the SMART Start learners will be doing during the pre-week program.
6:00 - 7:30 pm | Community Dinner | Comstock Memorial Union Ballroom
SMART Start Learners, their family and guests are welcome to share a meal with leaders on campus that will help build SMART Start learners build community, culture and education at Moorhead.
7:30 pm | Good-byes and Hellos | Various Locations
The rest of the evening is yours. Say goodbye to your family and friends, make your rooms cozy and hang out with new friends. This time is yours to settle in and prepare for the next day which begins at 8:45 for breakfast in Kise!
By participating in SMART Start, students will:
- Build community in an environment that fosters belonging.
- Create a support network of peers, staff, faculty and community members.
- Develop social-emotional skills and academic learning strategies.
- Identify resources to meet and support student needs.
Being a part of SMART Start comes at no additional cost to the students! All costs of the early arrival, which includes activities, meals, and moving into the dorms early, are covered by MSUM.
- Arrive August 17
- Attend and engage in all program events August 17 – August 21
- Enrollment in course for SMART Start students
SMART Start students take MATH 101 in their first semester, which improves success in math courses of all levels. In their second semester, students take WS 247 to continue community building through the first year.
- Create a community and sense of belonging
- Meet other new students
- Participate in social and academic activities led by peer mentors
- Connect with campus resources and supports
- It allows them to start connections with peers early, have a better understanding of their classes and schedule, and grow a support system early on.
- SMART Start truly values making MSUM feel like home to those that may feel like outsiders.
- I met my best friend through SMART Start.
For more information about SMART Start contact
Telephone
Mailing Address
Location
Coordinator
