The University of South Dakota

Customize your first year at USD by participating in the following First Year Experience (FYE) opportunities! Faculty & staff at USD have designed these options to help our first year students be more academically successful and personally satisfied with their decision to attend USD.

You can tailor your first year experience by picking 1, 2, 3 or all of the following options:

Living-Learning Community

Live in one of five Living-Learning communities in the North Complex at USD. Meet other students right away with similar interests, interact with faculty and staff in a personal way on a routine basis, and participate in programming based on your community's theme. Learn More >>

USD 101

Earn credit for attending orientation events, academic skill presentations and other on-campus lectures & cultural events designed to help you make the most of your first semester at USD. Choose from an array of events & presentations offered throughout the semester to help you find academic success & personal happiness while earning your degree at USD. Learn More >>

Coyote Mentor Program

Get matched with a USD faculty or staff member based on your personal and academic interests.  Mentors and mentees meet throughout the year at their leisure for coffee, dinner, a sporting event or other mutually interesting activity. Students who have participated in the past liked having someone on campus that they knew well who they could talk to about anything. Learn More >>

FYE Seminars

Some majors & programs at USD offer credit for a seminar course designed especially for their freshman. Meet weekly and enjoy the benefits of a small class connecting you to a professor who will mentor you through your first semester at USD and other students who share this interest with you. Learn More >>