Student Success
Spark Sophomore Program
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What Is Spark?
Spark is a program just for sophomores at Southern Miss, designed to help tackle the “sophomore slump.” Instead of your feeling stuck, lost or confused during your time at USM, we want to help you thrive! Participating in Spark can ease the transition from freshman to sophomore to junior year by encouraging students to make the most of their second year.
Who Can Participate?
Any sophomore student can participate just by attending events on campus! These events will help you gain direction for your future; make a connection to Southern Miss, your peers and the community; and gain awareness about your own strengths and skills. Our goal is to assist you in becoming a more involved and informed student, so you’ll feel confident and prepared to enter your last two years of college.
To complete the Spark program you must be a sophomore, or second year college student. (If you started college in Fall 2022, this program is for you)!
What Is Required (and What Do You Get)?
Simply attend at least one event from each of the following 4 categories, and be sure to track your progress. Once you’ve attended an event from each of the four categories, complete the Spark audit form. At the end of the semester, we’ll confirm your participation and award you with a $200 textbook scholarship to be used on textbooks from Barnes and Noble the following semester.
All event attendance will be tracked and verified. Don’t forget to check in at each event in order to receive credit.
Spring 2024 Events
Academic Success |
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Individual meetings are ongoing throughout Spring 2024. Deadline is May 2, 2024. |
Complete an appointment with The Center for Student Success Struggling with time management or study skills? Visit our website and make and appointment with one of our staff members for one-on-one assistance. |
Cook Library 138 |
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Individual meetings are ongoing throughout Spring 2024. Deadline is May 2, 2024. |
Complete an appointment with the Writing or Speaking Center The Writing and Speaking Centers are a free, valuable resource for all students, be sure to take advantage of their services. |
Cook Library Learning Commons (1st floor) |
Career Focus |
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Tuesday, Feb. 27th from 10:30am-1:30pm |
Career & Internship Fair Meet and network with employers to find opportunities and career opportunities. To see what employers will be in attendance, visit Handshake.
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Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms |
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Wednesday, Feb. 28th from 10:30am-1:30pm |
Business Career & Internship Fair Meet and network with employers to find opportunities and career opportunities. To see what employers will be in attendance, visit Handshake. |
Thad Cochran Center |
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Individual meetings are ongoing throughout Spring 2024. Deadline is May 2, 2024. |
Complete a Resume Review Do you need help with your resume? Visit career services and meet with a career counselor to get real time feedback on how to make your resume stand out. Visit USM Career Services for more information. |
Career Services McLemore Hall first floor |
Leadership |
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Wednesday, Feb. 7th from Noon-1:30pm |
Student Involvement Fair Interested in getting involved, but don’t know where to start? Come find your match at the student organization involvement fair! Visit Leadership and Student Involvement for more information. Be sure to check in at the LSI table for Spark credit! |
Union & Thad Cochran Center Lobbies |
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Union & Thad Cochran Center Lobbies |
Complete a Meeting with a Student Involvement Ambassador Meet with an involvement ambassador and find your perfect fit for a student organization! To set an appointment, click here. |
Social Success |
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Wednesday, Mar. 27th at 3:00pm |
Southern Miss Founders' Day Join Southern Miss faculty and staff for the Founders' Day Celebration Reception following the Student Awards Ceremony. Snap a picture on the lawn or with the Founders' Day signs and post to social media using the hashtag #USMfoundersday. |
Bennett Auditorium, South Lawn |
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Thursday, Apr. 18 from 11:30am-1:00pm |
Halfway There Celebration Come celebrate being halfway through your college career at a party just for sophomores! |
Centennial Lawn, Rain Location: TBD |
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Individual meetings are ongoing throughout Spring 2024. Deadline is May 2, 2024. |
Southern Miss Eagle Spirit Attend at least one Southern Miss Athletics spring sporting event, take a picture of yourself at the game, and post it to Instagram using the hashtag #SouthernMissSpark. *Note: We will only be able to see your photo if your profile is set to public or if you are being followed by the @USM_success Instagram account. Follow us, and we'll follow back! |
Bennett Auditorium |
Verifying Your Participation
Once you have completed the requirements of the Spark program, you must complete the Spark audit form. The Center for Student Success will verify your attendance and eligibility for the textbook stipend only after you have completed this form. All all forms are due on Thursday, May 2.
Spark audit forms will be reviewed the week after Fall 2023 exams and you will be notified of your Spark status before you return to classes in January 2024. Scholarships will be awarded and loaded on to your student account by the first day of spring classes to use toward textbooks purchased for Fall 2024 classes.
The textbook scholarship is only redeemable at Barnes and Noble on the Southern Miss campus and you must be signed up for the Eagle Direct textbook program.
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