Indigenous First Year Experience
The Indigenous First-Year Experience is for first-time freshmen who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native and are enrolled in the University of Montana in the fall 2022 semester!
The main focuses of this program are to support first-year Indigenous student transitions by:
- Immersing them with cultural enrichment and student-focused activities as part of the Native Griz family
- Fostering their relationship with critical points of contact for student and academic support on campus
- Year-long experiences and activities that connect them to what Missoula has to offer
- Engaging in a cohort of other first-time American Indian/Alaska Native freshman
Frequently Asked Questions
First-time freshman who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native and are enrolled in the University of Montana each fall semester.
Students accepted into UM can sign up for the Indigenous First-Year Experience (IFYE) through their undergraduate advisor or by contacting the IFYE Program Coordinator/Instructor. The IFYE has a maximum capacity of 20 students.
Get a head start on your first semester!
- Participants will receive a stipend/seminar credit
- Be connected with an on-campus IFYE peer and faculty mentor
- Meet other first-time freshmen
- Engage with campus/Missoula services and community resources that will help in the transition to UM
The IFYE is a three-credit, full academic year commitment beginning on the Thursday before Fall Orientation week. Thursday and Friday will be focused on cohort introductions, financial aid, and settling students into campus life. The IFYE will continue to meet throughout the fall and spring semesters; this will be in the form of a one-hour weekly IFYE cohort meeting and two hours of study in the Payne Family Native American Center. The IFYE will end the week before spring finals.
Check back later for more information!
IFYE students who confirm their enrollment in Bear Tracks will be registered for Fall Orientation. This is held the week following the first two days of the Summer Start IFYE. On the Tuesday of Fall Orientation, American Indian Student Services (AISS) and the Department of Native American Studies host the "Native Griz: Moving Camp" luncheon from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. IFYE participants should also sign up for the "Big Sky Experience" a two-day course taken by new/transferring students in various areas of interest. "Big Sky Experience" topics for Fall Orientation are still to be determined.
Check back later for more information!