Schmidt College of Science Hosts Annual Science Sophomore Social

November 2023

More than 200 Charles E. Schmidt College of Science students attended the Science Sophomore Social on Oct. 26 at the Sanson Life Sciences Patio on the Boca Raton campus. The annual event, hosted by the Schmidt College of Science’s Student Services Office and Pre-Health Professions Office, connects transitioning students from University Advising Services (UAS) to the Schmidt College of Science. Students had the opportunity to engage with college advisors, academic departments in the college, student organizations, faculty, the Student Services team, the Pre-Health Professions team, and Schmidt College of Science Dean Valery Forbes, Ph.D.

This year marked a historical first for the program. A record 96 sophomores transitioned over to the College of Science.

“The Science Sophomore Social has been a signature event within the college for the past eight years,” shared Gina Jones, Director for Pre-Health Professions and Continuing Education, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. “The Sophomore Social is one of my favorite events in the college, and we had the pleasure of meeting the students face-to-face outside of the office and learning a little more about them.”

During the event, new Schmidt College of Science students met fellow students in the college and interacted with academic advisors and faculty from each of the departments: Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Exercise Science, Geoscience, Mathematical Sciences, Psychology, Physics, and Urban and Regional Planning. In addition, students were able to engage with representatives from University Undergraduate Advising (UUA), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Owls Care, Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI), the Career Center, the Science Learning Center, Continuing Education, along with student clubs and organizations. The U.S. Army, a longstanding partner, sponsored food for the event.

“The college partners with other offices such as UAS to bridge the connection between students and the Career Center to introduce the concepts of internship, resume workshops, and learning opportunities for employability and help with the planning process of future success,” stated Catherine Maruna, Academic Advisor, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.

Several student organizations had a presence at the event, including the Pre-Health Ambassadors (PHA), American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Pre-Dental, Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS), Black Men in Medicine (BMM), Blood Pressure Screening Association (BPSA), Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association (Pre-SOMA), Black Women in Medicine (BWM), Medi-Futures, Soar-in-4, and many others.

Looking ahead, the Sophomore Social team leaders - Maruna, Academic Advisor Desiree Fray, and Associate Director for Pre-Health Advising Latarsha Morgan - shared that it was important for sophomore students to know their advisor(s), key faculty, fellow majors, and research goals, as well as to remember to attend office hours throughout the semester.