Customize Your Weekly Pathways Content Coming to UMass Amherst as either a first time freshmen or a transfer student, walking onto this campus can be an overwhelming experience. You may find yourself traveling from across the globe, across the country, across the state, or even right down the road. Regardless of the starting point, you may find yourself in the middle of campus, unsure of where to do, what to do, or who to meet. You may even have been on campus for a while, and that feeling remains with you. That feeling may be magnified in varying ways for minoritized or underrepresented students, whether you identify as a first-generation student, a Black, Indigenous, or other student of color, and/or a student who comes from an economically disadvantaged background.
Regardless of your background, know that there are people who want to see you succeed, academically, socially, and professionally. There are also resources on campus that are geared to give you access to what can help you to succeed. One such campus resource is SBS RISE, a program within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences that works to build community among underrepresented students within the College, as well as offer access to resources and opportunities that support students throughout their time as an undergraduate within the College.
Throughout the academic year, students can attend fun and engaging events, centered things from crafting to nurturing our mental health. Students can also apply to become mentees and mentors through our mentoring program, RISE Connects. Students can also apply to be a part of a yearlong leadership development program; RISE Fellows serve as ambassadors to SBS RISE and the College, sharing with incoming and current students about their experiences as a SBS student and creating opportunities to foster community. Our Student Advisory Committee develops initiatives that support the program, meeting with people within and outside of the College to gather information to inform the projects that they do. SBS RISE even supports our students during the summer through our summer research program in collaboration with the Center for Justice, Law, and Societies.
From the first moment you step onto campus until the day you graduate from the College, and beyond, you can find your community with SBS RISE. You do not have to do college alone. Check out the program, and see how you belong with SBS RISE.
