5 Resources for UM-Flint CAS students in 2020-2021

Students in the College of Arts & Sciences at UM-Flint can expect so much more than just attending classes! We love seeing our students have amazing experiences outside of their normal class schedule, and we’re passionate about providing students with the resources to have those experiences.

Here are five opportunities CAS students can take advantage of in the 2020-2021 academic year.

1. Professional Academic Advisors

Psychology advisor Nicole Altheide advising a student

Every major in the College of Arts & Students has a dedicated professional advisor to help students create a personalized degree plan to fit their needs.

Meeting with your advisor helps to ensure that you graduate on-time, meet requirements for your degree, and gain the experiences needed for life after graduation. For example, advisors help students who are preparing for medical school to ensure they meet application requirements.

And don’t miss out on other academic supports like the Writing Center, Tutoring, and Supplemental Instruction.

2. CAS Opportunity Fund

The CAS Opportunity Fund helped Art & Design students open a pop-up t-shirt shop.

The CAS Opportunity Fund helps to fund research projects, travel, professional development, and more for our faculty, staff, and students.

Recent projects funded with help from the CAS Opportunity Fund include archaeological field school in Massachusetts, a pop-up t-shirt shop in Flint, and a language immersion program in Cuernavaca, Mexico. We will let everyone know when the application period begins for the next round of Opportunity Funding!

3. Research with Professors

Sabrina Dougherty (left) and Dahlia Kassel (right) presented their research at the American Psychology-Law Society in New Orleans.

Your interaction with professors can be so much more than hearing them lecture in class. Many students work directly with professors on research projects, allowing them to explore their interests further and build their resume while still in school.

And with the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Program, students can even get paid while gaining valuable research experience.

Biology students are studying the ecology of the Flint River with their professors, and two psychology students studied eyewitness testimony and presented their findings at a national conference.

4. Scholarships

The Office of Financial Aid can help you with all aspects of financing your UM-Flint degree.

Did you know that most CAS majors have specific scholarships at UM-Flint? For example, Political Science or English majors can apply for the Richard S. Harris Scholarship, which is open to students intending on entering the legal profession, along with GPA and credit hour requirements.

And don’t think that these scholarship opportunities are out of reach–The Department of Music awarded more than $33,000 in scholarships in 2019. Incoming freshman should read more about the scholarships available to them.

5. Minors and Certificates

The Department of Africana Studies offers both a minor and a certificate.

You’ll learn so much more in college than just your major, and there’s no better way to broaden your horizons than by adding a minor or certificate to your major field of study.

CAS offers four undergraduate certificate programs and UM-Flint offers close to 80 minors, so you’re sure to find something that both interests you and complements your major.

There are plenty of other resources to help you have a great 2020-2021, but this list should help you get started. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact CAS at [email protected].