The Seita Scholars Program currently supports up to 150 scholars. Students who are considered active Seita Scholars have been accepted and notified of their acceptance into the Seita Scholars Program, signed their Seita Scholars Program Agreement, are maintaining the requirements of the agreement and are currently attending Western Michigan University as full-time, undergraduate students.
Information about housing will be emailed to scholars as it becomes available, usually around October (for the winter closure) and March (for the summer recess) each year. For questions about housing, students should visit their assigned campus coach.
Break housing
Winter closure housing
Each year Western Michigan University closes for a period of approximately three weeks; this break is known as winter closure. For Seita Scholars, the program makes it possible to access the following services:
- Housing in the residence halls for the duration of the winter closure
- Hot meals
- Coordinated activities
- Emergency after-hours support
Summer recess housing
At the end of the spring semester, prior to the start of the first summer session, the residence halls and Dining Services close for a period of approximately one week. As with the holiday closure, the program makes it possible to access the following services:
- Housing in the residence halls during the summer recess
- Hot meals
Forms
Below are several forms that are relevant to Seita Scholars who are attending Western Michigan University to assist with academic and financial planning.
Graduation plan
Planning ahead is an important step toward graduation. All Seita Scholars are required to have an updated graduation plan on file. Complete or update your graduation plan, and utilize the resources available to you like Degree Works (available on your GoWMU portal), your academic advising office, and your campus coach.
Permission to exceed 15 credit hours
Scholars who wish to exceed 15 credit hours in the fall or spring semester should first process that strategy with an academic advisor and then complete the form in consultation with their campus coach. Because extra credit hours add cost to the program’s tuition scholarship expenditures, students must complete the permission to exceed 15 credits and be approved by the director of the Seita Scholars Program. Please note that exceptions are possible but not guaranteed. Students must be in good academic standing for permission to exceed 15 credit hours to be considered.
Permission to exceed 15 credit hours form
Permission to withdraw
Scholars are required to maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours in the fall and spring semester. Withdrawing below 12 credit hours can impact students’ graduation dates, eligibility for the Education and Training Voucher and overall financial aid status. In addition, course withdrawal impacts the program’s budget for tuition scholarships and planning for the number of program slots available to other students. Anytime withdrawal from a course is necessary, Seita Scholars should first process this strategy with an academic advisor, and then complete the permission to withdraw form in consultation with their campus coach and receive permission from the Seita Scholars director.
Scholarship agreement
Seita Scholars sign an agreement upon acceptance to the program, and a record of this agreement is available for review.
networking and Community Engagement
Through social events, workshops, employment, speaking engagements, registered student organizations, and specific identity groups, Seita Scholars have a range of opportunities to engage in the community during their time at WMU and in the Seita Scholars Program. Some of these opportunities include:
Graduation Preparation Seminars
The Graduation Preparation Seminar (GPS) series are held each fall and spring semesters. Each seminar covers different topics that correspond to issues students face upon graduation. Students who are 18 months within graduation are encouraged to attend.
There are several seminars which are held once per month:
- Life Skills: Planning Ahead for post-graduation
- Employment: Job searching, interviewing and professional attire
- Life skills and employment: Transportation options, the new job and fringe benefits
- Finances: Understanding banking, your credit score and student loan repayment
- Employment: Western Michigan University's job fairs
Students receive incentives for completing GPS:
- All graduates receive a Seita Scholars blue stole and blue cords
- Graduation cap and gown - provided for all students who attend at least three GPS seminars
- Professional attire shopping spree - provided to all students who complete at least four GPS seminars
- Graduation diploma frame - provided to all Seita Scholars who completed at least five GPS courses
Identity Groups
Lady Butterflies
Lady Butterflies is a group for Seita Scholars who identify as female. This group was created to allow female students the opportunity to connect with one another in an effort to increase retention of female Seita Scholars. This is a safe place for female students to build community on and off campus, develop a sense of identity, and hone skills for post-graduate professional settings.
Engaging Men
Engaging Men is a group for Seita Scholars who identify as male. This group was created to allow male students the opportunity to connect with one another in an effort to increase retention of male Seita Scholars and a focused persistence to graduation. This is a safe place for male students to build community on and off campus, develop a sense of identity, and hone skills for post-graduate professional settings.
Inspiring Parents
Inspiring Parents is a group for Seita Scholars who are taking on a parental role for any child. The group provides activities that the children can engage in throughout the school year as well as resources to help children grow.
SAFE (Support and Acceptance for Everyone)
This identity group aims to help provide support and resources to Seita Scholars that identify within the gay, lesbian, asexual, bisexual, ally, and transgender+ community. This group is also a support to those Seita Scholars that may be questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. One of the events that we participate in every year is the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference (MBLGTACC). This is an annual conference held to connect, educate, and empower queer and trans+ college students, faculty, and staff around the Midwest and beyond!
Alumni
The purpose of this group is to foster a spirit of loyalty and to promote the general welfare of the Seita Scholars Program, current Seita Scholars and alumni. The Alumni identify group also serves as a networking and social platform for Seita Scholar Program graduates.