Starting Gate to Success

Ease the transition to college

The Starting Gate to Success program is designed to help ease the transition to college life for first-time freshmen. Students who participate in the Starting Gate to Success program receive the following benefits:

• the opportunity to move in early and participate in activities designed to help students navigate the college process
• the chance to meet new students and build lasting relationships through social events
• individualized programming designed to support academic, career, financial, and personal goals
• peer-group mentoring support throughout the first semester

Program Events

Students who complete Bridge Week, three workshops, three advising sessions, and three mentoring sessions will earn a $500 stipend to be applied to the Spring 2024 semester.

Bridge Week

August 9-11, 2023 – Students move in early and spend three days participating in an engaging College Survival Guide workshop series with program staff. These workshops will connect students to various resources on campus and provide live demonstrations of how to access resources such as the Office of Multicultural Initiatives, Student Support Services, Lowry Center, Career Services, the Counseling Center, the Open Writing Lab, the Oral Communications Lab, and others.

Academic Advising

August – December, 2023 – Students will meet with Dr. Ben Littlepage for academic advising once per month. Dr. Littlepage will provide students with timely resources and assist in the college acclimation process.

Peer-Mentor Groups

August – December, 2023 – Students will be placed in mentoring groups (10 students per group, with 1 peer mentor). The mentoring groups will be formed during Bridge Week, so that students and mentors will have an opportunity to get to know each other before classes begin. Students will be required to meet with their mentoring group once each month, from August to December.

Student Workshops

September – December, 2023 – Four Starting Gate student workshops will be held: Career Services, Financial Literacy, Campus Involvement, and Surviving Finals. Students are also encouraged to attend workshops held by the Office of Multicultural Initiatives, Student Support Services, Student Engagement and Success, and other departments on campus.

Cost

There is no cost to participate in the program.

Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are provided during Bridge Week (August 9-11, 2023). Resources and supplies, student workshops, and peer mentoring and advising are provided to participants free of charge during the Fall semester.

Stipend

Students who complete Bridge Week, three workshops, three advising sessions, and three mentoring sessions will earn a $500 stipend to be applied to the Spring 2024 semester. 

Who can apply?

The Starting Gate to Success program is open to incoming first-year Murray State students. Preference is given to students who have previously participated in TRIO programs or who are first-generation college students.

There are 20 available seats in the program.

The deadline to apply is June 30, 2023.

Apply now

Apply for Starting Gate to Success