About SMART

Our mission

The mission of the Student Minority Advisory and Recruitment Team is to assist the Office of Undergraduate Admissions with their recruitment of underrepresented students. In addition, SMART will assist the Pennsylvania State University community, faculty staff, and support services with developing positive relationships with the diverse student body. Through the continued involvement with the Pennsylvania State University our goal is to increase the retention and graduation rates of minorities by incorporating the use of workshops and conferences. Ultimately we will help produce leaders of today and tomorrow.

Our history

The Student Minority Advisory and Recruitment Team was founded in December of 1988 by seventeen undergraduate students. These students wanted to share their success at Penn State and assist the university with the recruitment of ethnic minorities. These undergraduates felt that the student perspective was crucial in relaying to prospective minority students that Penn State University was a great place for them to succeed. Since its inception, SMART has made major contributions in the recruitment of minorities here at Penn State. SMART continues to play an instrumental role in the increase of the enrollment of minority students.

Our vision

The goal of SMART is to assist the Office of Undergraduate Admissions with the recruitment and retention of underrepresented student populations at the Pennsylvania State University. The members of this group, their executive officers, and the staff in Undergraduate Admissions work closely together in planning strategic activities that create an environment conducive to the success of underrepresented minorities at Penn State. Through the use of campus recruitment trips, tours, student panels and overnight visits, SMART relies on the experiences of students at the University Park Campus to provide prospective students with an accurate and positive portrayal of campus life. SMART members are living and walking examples of success stories of underrepresented students’ here Penn State.