Dear Parents & Families,
Students are back on campus and excitement is all around. Everyone at the College is settling into their routine, some new, some familiar, renewing old acquaintances and making new ones. There is much to look forward to as we begin a new academic year.
September 27 - a Momentous Day for SMCM
On Friday, September 27, no less than four big events are on the calendar. Beginning at 11:40 a.m. in the Nancy R. & Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center, President Tuajuanda C. Jordan will deliver her semi-annual State of the College message. This is a great opportunity for members of the College community to receive updates about ongoing initiatives and news about the semester ahead. Immediately following, we’ll move next door for a ceremony denoting the naming of the award-winning Learning Commons in honor of the late Dallas P. Dean ‘60.
We will celebrate with an all-campus reception under the big tent on the Crescent Green beginning at 12:30 p.m. Food, games and exclusive College swag will be the order of the afternoon.
Finally, we cap off the day with a 7:00 p.m. performance in the Dodge Performing Arts Center Concert Hall by comedian Matt Friend. An extension of our annual spring Twain Lecture Series on American Humor and Culture, in election years we hold a special fall event. Sometimes we don’t know whether to laugh or cry at election time; for this night we choose to laugh at this up-and-coming comedian’s spot-on impressions of politicians and celebrities. Tickets are $20 for this public performance - but students get in free. Be sure to tell your students about all of these events and to check The Current regularly to stay in the know!
How High Can We Fly?
We are excited to be kicking off both a new academic year and the final phase of the record-breaking Taking the LEAD Campaign.
So far, the campaign has:
- jumpstarted or enhanced academic, athletic and performing arts programs
- raised over $7.5M for scholarships
- provided support for internships, research and international experiences—the Honors College Promise
- equipped classrooms and labs with top-tier learning tools
With your continued support, we can create even more amazing opportunities for our students and our community. Join us in making this year unforgettable. Visit our campaign website and find out How High Can We Fly?
Presidential Search
As noted in last month's newsletter, SMCM President Tuajuanda C. Jordan has announced her retirement at the end of the 2024-25 academic year after more than a decade of distinguished leadership. The Board of Trustees has begun a national search for SMCM's next leader, engaging a prominent executive search firm to assist in that process. A series of listening sessions have been scheduled to allow members of the SMCM community to express their thoughts on the qualities our next president should have. The session for students is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 23 at 7:00 p.m. via ZOOM (students can find details on the SMCM events calendar). Please encourage your student to participate in this online session.
Hawktoberfest - Parent & Family Weekend at SMCM
Registration is now open! Be sure to visit the Hawktoberfest Website for more information, schedules, discounted hotel rates and to register. Registration helps us plan to ensure a great time for everyone, and some events (such as the river cruises or Great Bamboo Boat Race) require pre-registration. Registration closes October 6.
FALL UPDATES
Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA): After the U.S. Department of Education’s troubled rollout of the updated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) last year, the government has brought in a new leadership team and resources to improve the process, and plans to make the form available to all students and families by December 1, 2024. Check the Department of Education website for the latest updates on the process.
Division of Academic Affairs: Plans are currently underway to finalize the replacement of our central software system for the campus (Jenzabar/CARS to some, Portal to all) with a new system, Anthology Student. As it comes online, Anthology Student will provide a more modern and integrated interface to the campus and ultimately a mobile app.
The first stage of implementation will be for spring 2025 registration, and requires a timeline shift from our regular calendar for advising and registration. As you are reading this, students are meeting with their advisors to plan their Spring 2025 classes. Students are able to access a small internal-to-campus Google Site that will provide updates throughout the year as we move into Anthology Student. As with any implementation of a new system, it’s expected that we could experience some glitches; Academic Affairs and the Office of Information Technology will be working together to address any challenges that might arise.
The overview of this accelerated registration is that returning students (sophomores, juniors and seniors) will go through the familiar advising and registration process. Our first-year (FY) students -- those who arrived on campus this fall -- will be advised and will select classes following a process very similar to the one they experienced during SOAR over the summer.
All SMCM students will have a full schedule before Thanksgiving break, and our usual schedule adjustment periods will be in place thereafter.
This accelerated timeline means an important change to the College calendar: Advising Day (no classes) has been moved to Tues. Sept. 17. Classes will be held as usual on Tues. Oct. 29, 2024. Faculty have adapted their syllabi accordingly.
We have many great things ahead this year, including a new campus software system and an exciting slate of spring 2025 classes. Our thanks to the SMCM community for their support as we make these transitions.
Department of Athletics & Recreation: St. Mary’s College of Maryland is home to 23 varsity athletic teams. SMCM is an affiliate of the NCAA Division III and 17 of its programs compete within the United East Conference. The Seahawks are the two-time defending United East Presidents’ Cup Champions and ended the 2023-24 athletic season as the 98th-best athletic program in all of Division III, which features 443 institutions.
The Seahawks kicked off the 2024-25 athletic year on Aug. 30 with a luau at the home- and season-opener for women’s soccer. Students were treated to Seahawk-themed Hawai’ian shirts and Kona Ice.
SMCM women’s soccer is enjoying its best start in 13 years and earned a regional ranking for the first time since 2011. The Seahawks currently own a 5-1-1 record and rank sixth in Region IV according to United Soccer Coaches.
It’s easy to follow the Seahawks - many contests are lived-streamed and live stats are available for most other events.
Office of Student Success Services (OS3): We are thrilled to announce that we have created the “Seahawk Success Network” (SSN) program beginning with the Fall 2024 entering class. The SSN means that every new student has been assigned a specific staff member in several offices. We are here to help them navigate and successfully complete their first year at SMCM.
Your student received an email with the names and contact information of their SSN contacts in the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) and the Office of Student Success Services (OS3). We know that building connections and helping our students feel like they belong here are important factors for their happiness, academic success and earning their degree. Our staff are looking forward to getting to know your student and to assist them in the following areas:
- Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA)
- Financial aid, FAFSA, grants, scholarships, loans, etc.
- Office of Student Success Services (OS3)
- Academic/non-academic support, tutoring, coaching, general assistance
Please encourage your student to stop by our offices to introduce themselves to their SSN contact. They may schedule an appointment with their SSN or just drop in! All of us are looking forward to answering your students’ questions, providing tips and connecting them with resources.
We have the Seahawk Family Liaison (SFL) to answer your questions and assist as needed while your student is enrolled at the College. We also created a very helpful resource for the parents and family members of our students, The SMCM Parents & Families Guide on the College website (go to the OS3 website and then to Parent & Family Resources). The Guide has descriptions and contact information for many offices and college services, important dates, etc. We hope you find this useful.
General Fears of College Students
Does this sound familiar to you? During the summer, your student excitedly prepared to start their first semester at SMCM or they told you that they can’t wait to come back to school. YAY! As move-in day approached, there was a little less enthusiasm, but you couldn’t quite put your finger on what you were observing. A few weeks into the semester, you now get a very different vibe from your student.
“I feel lost.”
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing.”
“I think I’m failing”
“I’m scared.”
Click here to read the full article on general fears your student may be feeling, and how to help your student deal with these fears in positive ways.