YoU Matter Institute (UMI): Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

The YoU Matter Institute, or UMI, is a fantastic opportunity for you to build a strong community and engage with your peers at Northern Kentucky University. UMI takes place Friday, August 9 through Wednesday, August 14, 2024, on our lovely campus. This program is designed to help students enhance their leadership skills, learn to navigate NKU resources, and form lasting relationships through friendship and mentoring.

As a UMI participant, you can move in early to your residence hall, participate in leadership training and explore the NKU R.O.C.K.S, LAMP, and QPLUS mentoring programs within the Center for Student Inclusiveness. These programs are designed to support you and make you feel more at home at NKU while providing you with skills to succeed academically and socially.

LSI houses Latinos Avanzando Mentorship Program (LAMP), a peer mentoring program designed to serve first year students and upper classmen students via academic, familia and personal belonging, and professional support.
NKU R.O.C.K.S. is AASI’s longstanding retention mentorship program for Black/African American first year students. The purpose of NKU R.O.C.K.S. is to ease the academic, personal, and social transition from high school to college through the yearlong program. R.O.C.K.S. stands for Responsibility, Opportunity, Community, Knowledge, and Success.
QPLUS Scholars is LGBTQA+ SI’s rebranded leadership program that stands for Queer, Persistence, Leadership, Unity, and Service. The purpose of QPLUS is to provide peer mentoring for incoming and existing students to foster an inclusive community, foster self-authorship, leadership, and communication skills.

Overall, UMI is a great way to jumpstart your journey at NKU and to make the most out of your time here at Norse Nation! Whether you're looking to build your leadership skills, learn about other cultures, or simply get more involved on-campus, UMI has something for everyone.

UMI provides a four-day residential experience that includes the following experiences:

Welcome session
Community building activities
College life preparation sessions and resource literacy
Workshops on leadership development
Nightly recreational activities
Closing celebration program

Frequently Asked Questions

What is UMI?

UMI is an early arrival program sponsored by the Center for Student Inclusiveness available to all first-year students. Our mission is to offer a positive and enthusiastic experience for students to build a strong foundation of support through peer mentoring and community building activities, address the need for college preparation, and campus resource literacy. Each critical component is intended to enhance the student’s future academic success, ignite the student’s network of support for the best NKU experience.

What other activities will students be involved in?

Community Building Activities: These activities are designed to expand your network and social capital; when the Fall semester begins, you will be better prepared to successfully navigate your first semester.
Workshops: The workshops are led by NKU faculty and staff and will require you to step out of your comfort zone, and expand on leadership skills and allyship awareness.
Resource Literacy: These sessions will introduce you to the key support personnel at NKU. You will meet and get to know the faces of the offices that champion for your success on campus: First Year Success Hub, Frank Steely Library, The Learning Center, The Tech Bar, The Center for Student Engagement, UCAP, and The Center for Student Inclusiveness.

What are other benefits affiliated with UMI?

In addition to the exclusive workshops and networking opportunities, participating in UMI you will:

Make lasting friendships
Begin developing your professional network
Move into your residence hall
Meet your peer mentor
Enhance your leadership skills

Who may apply?

All incoming NKU first-year students are eligible to participate in UMI.

What is the cost?

UMI is free! As an early arrival participant, you will be required to assist during move in day on August 15, 2024.

*If you decide to not volunteer on Move-In day, you will be charged the $130 early move in fee on your student account.

What are the participation requirements?

Here are the steps to sign up for UMI:

Confirmed enrollment for Fall semester at NKU
Have signed up for or attended an NKU New Student Orientation
Completed the UMI application form
Commit to full attendance of the UMI experience (Aug 9-Aug 14)

When is the deadline?

The deadline to sign up is July 19, 2024.

Note: You will need to have attended or registered for an NKU New Student Orientation before signing up for UMI. If you have not yet done so, please click HERE to choose your Orientation date.

Additional Information: email csi@nku.edu or call (859) 572-6684 with questions.