Meet the Class

Welcome Sophomores!

Trish Fountain, UMSI Director of Enrollment Management, details the launch of the new sophomore-entry pathway and how it’s helping to expand access and enhance the undergraduate experience for BSI students.

This fall marks an exciting milestone for the School of Information: we’re welcoming our first cohort of sophomores into the Bachelor of Science in Information (BSI) program. This new entry point represents more than just a timeline shift. It’s a meaningful step toward expanding access and creating more flexible, supportive pathways for students who are passionate about shaping the future of information, technology, and society.

The decision to launch a sophomore-entry option was driven by what we heard directly from students. Many expressed a desire for more time in the program, earlier preparation for internships, and earlier access to the resources that make UMSI such a valuable academic home. This new pathway is an intentional move to meet those needs and enhance the undergraduate experience from the start.

By entering the program in their second year, students now have three full years to explore, learn, and grow within UMSI. That means more time to dive into the curriculum, choose between the User Experience Design (UX) and Information Analysis (IA) tracks, and shape an academic journey that reflects their goals and interests. One of our new sophomores, John Park, shared, “UMSI allows me to pave my own educational and professional paths. While undergraduate students declare either UX or IA tracks for their degree, the BSI program allows us to explore courses, events, and opportunities that go beyond our area of focus.”

Starting earlier also unlocks broader access to UMSI courses. This allows for a more gradual and enriched learning experience, giving students time to build foundational skills and apply them in increasingly advanced ways. It also creates space to pursue a minor, secure a professional internship, or study abroad for a semester.

Equally important, sophomore-entry students are immediately connected to the full range of UMSI support systems. Units under the leadership of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Cliff Lampe, have spent the past year building and expanding programming tailored to this new cohort:

• The Academic Programs and Student Life Team revised advising and orientation content to emphasize long-term planning and launched new academic plans specific to sophomore-entry students. Orientation was shifted to better accommodate move-in schedules and now includes more structured engagement with faculty and career staff. Student performance tracking systems are being enhanced to monitor sophomore progress, and peer tutoring has expanded to include in-person study tables at UMSI Central. Student Life is scaling up support for student organizations and launching new programs to help students build connections and a sense of belonging early in their time at UMSI.

• The Career Development Office introduced several initiatives to support early career exploration. Beginning Winter 2025, all BSI sophomores can enroll in a new one-credit elective course, SI 210: Career Exploration in Information, taught by career education experts. The course will offer guided reflection, interactive learning, and practical tools to help students clarify career paths, build networks, and identify skills and experiences. These efforts are part of a broader strategy, Supporting BSI Sophomore Success through Career Education, designed to help students gain career clarity and momentum early in their academic journey.

• The Engaged Learning Office is developing in-class workshops that prepare students to work with clients, teams, and project-based experiences. The office is also expanding global learning opportunities, including fall study abroad options for undergraduates and increased access for sophomore-entry students.

Already, the impact is clear. This inaugural cohort reflects the kind of reach and inclusivity we strive for at UMSI, with increased representation of first-generation students, community college transfers, and students from underrepresented communities across Michigan. Many bring interdisciplinary interests spanning business, art and design, public health, and computer science, highlighting the BSI program’s broad appeal and versatility.

For John Park, the people are one of the most exciting parts of the journey ahead: “I’m most excited about meeting more BSI sophomores like myself. It’s so fun to meet other students who share a love for technology and data, and watch how they apply it across their various interests and experiences.”

Looking ahead, we believe this cohort will help shape UMSI in powerful ways. Their presence brings new energy, fresh perspectives, and a broader range of experiences into our classrooms, student groups, and wider community. As Park reflected, “UMSI’s students and faculty are constantly working at the cutting edge of the technology and information fields, and I believe my time with UMSI will teach me to apply interdisciplinary skills and focused expertise to succeed in any environment.”

We’re excited to see how these students will lead, question, create, and challenge.

We’re proud to offer a cutting-edge program that meets them where they are.

And we’re honored to support their journey toward making a meaningful impact on the world.