DUS News - February 20, 2023

News: 
Thinking About Summer Courses?

Are you looking to get ahead or stay on track with your studies this summer? Taking summer courses is a great way to remain academically productive. Penn State offers a wide variety of courses across three summer sessions—Maymester, Summer Session I, and Summer Session II. Students can enroll in courses at any Penn State campus during the summer, including World Campus. Taking a course at your local campus could also be an option. Talk with your adviser to start planning your summer today!

How Do I Know When to Schedule?

Now is a great time to ask yourself that question. DUS students will schedule for fall in early- to mid-April with the exception of priority (early) registration for some (veteransathletesSchreyer Scholars, and students with disabilities). 

How to determine your registration date:

  1. Typically, students with more credits register first. Registration dates are determined by adding your total credits earned to the credits on your current schedule.
  2. There are two ways to look up your date to register: checking the Registration Timetable and looking at your LionPATH Student Center for Enrollment Dates.
  3. You can begin enrolling in classes at 12:00 a.m. on your day to schedule.

Make sure you schedule an appointment with your adviser to plan for next semester and beyond. Preparation is the key to success!

Important Dates: 
Resource Spotlight: 
Health Professions Advising

Interested in a career in health care? Visit health professions advising in the Eberly College of Science Advising Center. Health professions advisers work with students from all colleges and Penn State campuses.

Events and Announcements: 
Changes to Quick Question Advising from Feb. 20–24
University Park

From February 20–24, Quick Question Advising (QQA) will be held at the following times, both in person in Grange Building as well as online via Zoom. Please note that a DUS academic adviser is only available for QQA during the dates and times listed below. All times are Eastern Time.

Monday, February 20 NO QQA
Tuesday, February 21 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, February 22 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 23 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Friday, February 24 NO QQA

Learn more about QQA or making an appointment on the DUS website. DUS students at other campuses or at other colleges at University Park should check how advising services are currently being offered where you are.

Apply To Be an Academic Peer Mentor
University Park

Are you proud of your academic success? Do you enjoy helping others? You might want to join the APMP team! The Academic Peer Mentoring Program (APMP), through DUS and Penn State Learning, pairs peer mentors with students who are in or near academic warning to work on everything from time management to study skills to metacognition. Peer mentors are students with strong academic records (a 2.67 cumulative GPA or higher) who have been taught vital mentorship skills like active listening, motivational interviewing, and study and time management techniques.

Applications for spring 2023 are due by February 28, 2023. Successful applicants will enroll in a one-credit, half-semester course (EDUC 295, Mentoring for Success) from March 13, to April 28, 2023. If approved, you will be added to EDUC 295 by the program facilitators for the semester that you indicated you'd like to take the course.

Apply for the DUS Leadership Council
University Park

Do you want to develop leadership skills and help other exploratory students find their niche in college? How about giving back to the DUS community while gaining professional communication skills? If you're a rising DUS second-year student at University Park, you may want to learn more about the DUS Leadership Council. To be invited to apply for the Leadership Council, you must be nominated by your academic adviser no later than March 7, 2023. Make an appointment with your adviser before this date to learn more about the opportunity and to ask to be formally nominated.

Eligibility requirements and more information can be found on the DUS Leadership Council website.

2023 Darwin Day Lecture – "Healthy as a Hunter-Gatherer: Evolutionary Perspectives on Exercise, Diet, and Metabolism"
University Park

Herman Pontzer, Ph.D., Penn State alumnus and Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology and Research Associate Professor of Global Health at Duke University, investigates how our deep, evolutionary past shapes our lives today. His team conducted the first measurements of daily energy expenditure in traditional hunter-gatherers and in non-human apes, with discoveries that have changed the way we think about diet, exercise, metabolism, and health. A reception and book signing will follow the lecture in the auditorium lounge. RSVP required for the reception.

Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2023 
Time: 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Location: Freeman Auditorium, HUB-Robeson Center

Attend a PLA Info Session
University Park

Are you a first-year student looking for opportunities to gain valuable leadership skills?

The Presidential Leadership Academy (PLA) is a three-year leadership development opportunity for a select group of students. As Academy participants, students develop leadership fundamentals to thrive in an environment in which multiple dimensions of issues are explored, diverse viewpoints are welcomed and heard, and a fully informed and respectful discourse ensues. A highlight of the Academy is a two-credit introductory seminar led by Penn State's President.

The virtual PLA Info Session (Thursday, February 23, 6:00–7:00 p.m., Zoom) is a great opportunity to learn more about the PLA (including the application process) and meet current students and the director of the Academy. Deadline to apply is March 10, 2023.

Become a Smeal Student Mentor
University Park

Are you interested in taking on a leadership role where you will have the chance to make a difference? If you are a current sophomore with a 3.2 GPA or above and have a conditional or permanent offer to a Smeal major, please consider applying to become a Smeal Student Mentor! As a Smeal Student Mentor, you will become a helpful resource for incoming first-year Penn State Smeal students and will focus on guiding them through their first college experience and answering any questions they may have. Mentors should maintain regular communication with their assigned mentees throughout the semester, make themselves available for meetings and events with mentees, provide advice about scheduling and academics at Penn State, and encourage first-year students to get involved on campus. Mentors also partner with Smeal Undergraduate Education in leading various Smeal-affiliated events throughout the year.

Smeal Student Mentor applications are now live on www.smealstudentmentors.org and are due by Monday, February 27, by 5:00 p.m., in 202 Business Building. Contact the Training and Recruitment Director, Noah Broderick at nmb5898@psu.edu with any questions.

Group Advising Sessions
University Park

DUS will be holding group advising sessions throughout the spring semester as a way to discuss popular advising topics with groups of students. These sessions are open to all DUS students and will help you to learn more about the topic and to ask questions in a friendly, open environment. For more information on each session visit https://dus.psu.edu/group-advising. All sessions are held in the Grange Building Lobby, unless otherwise listed on the website.

Spring 2023 Sessions

All sessions are at 4:00 p.m. ET and held in the Grange Building Lobby.

February 28: Interested in Smeal? 

Please register in advance for the February 28 session. 


March 14: Explore and Find the Right Major for You

Please register in advance for the March 14 session. 


March 21: General Education 101

Please register in advance for the March 21 session. 


March 28: Course Enrollment 101

Please register in advance for the March 28 session. 

DUS Advising This Semester
University Park

There are three ways you can talk with a DUS adviser at University Park (Note: DUS students at other campuses or at other colleges at University Park should check how advising services are being offered where you are):

  • 20–30 minute scheduled appointment with your assigned adviser over Zoom or in person.
  • Quick question advising (QQA) with any DUS adviser over Zoom or in person. No appointment is needed. You can find QQA hours and the link to the Zoom room on the DUS appointments webpage.
  • Email your assigned adviser.
Follow Us on Instagram
University Park

The Division of Undergraduate Studies is on Instagram! Follow us @PennState_DUS to see student/alumni stories, academic tips, events, announcements, and more. Share your own DUS story with us using #PennStateDUS for the chance to be featured.