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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 Â鶹´«Ã½ as full-time, undergraduate Â鶹´«Ã½s.

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, Â鶹´«Ã½s should visit their assigned campus coach.

Break housing

Winter closure housing

Each year Â鶹´«Ã½ 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

networking and Community Engagement

Through social events, workshops, employment, speaking engagements, registered Â鶹´«Ã½ organizations, and specific identity groups, Seita Scholars have a range of Â鶹´«Ã½ to engage in the community during their time at WMU and in the Seita Scholars Program. Some of these Â鶹´«Ã½ 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 Â鶹´«Ã½s 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 Â鶹´«Ã½ loan repayment
• Employment: Â鶹´«Ã½'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 Â鶹´«Ã½s who attend at least three GPS seminars
• Professional attire shopping spree - provided to all Â鶹´«Ã½s 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 Â鶹´«Ã½s the opportunity to connect with one another in an effort to increase retention of female Seita Scholars. This is a safe place for female Â鶹´«Ã½s 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 Â鶹´«Ã½s 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 Â鶹´«Ã½s 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 Â鶹´«Ã½s, 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.