The Connect Mentorship Program offers several opportunities over the span of 2 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 SMU 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 SMU which occurs before classes start.
• This year’s Connect Institute will take place on Friday, August 21, and Saturday, August 22. The majority of the Institute will take place off campus with an overnight stay at a DFW camp and retreat center and conclude on campus on Saturday evening. 

The Connect Institute is an extended orientation to SMU. During the Institute, you will interact with other new students, as well as returning students serving as mentors. Participants will learn about campus resources that will help them succeed, engage in interactive, community-building activities and goal-setting workshops to build a sense of belonging and purposeful direction before starting the first day of classes.

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

Spring Admits (January 2027): Applications will open in fall 2026.

Fall Admits (August 2027): Applications will open in spring 2027.

As Connect is a year-long program, we ask our students to stay engaged with the program throughout their first year at SMU. 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 SMU Student
• Leadership development opportunities
• Cohort experience with other incoming students
• Access to key SMU resources, services, and information regarding opportunities on and off campus
• Developing relationships with upper-level students, as well as the SCIE staff and other SMU 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

Applications to serve as a Connect Mentor for the 2026-2027 academic year are now closed. If interested in serving as a Connect Mentor in 2027-2028, applications will open in February 2027 and run through the spring semester.