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Overview
My SMSU is Southwest Minnesota State University's campus engagement platform powered by Ready Education. My SMSU brings together students, faculty, staff, departments, organizations, events, resources, and communications in one centralized location. It is available through both a web browser and mobile app.
Faculty & Staff can use My SMSU to communicate with students, promote academic opportunities, share departmental information, support advising efforts, and connect students with campus resources. Students can use My SMSU to communicate with classmates, collaborate on group projects, participate in campus communities, and engage with peers outside the classroom.
Who Can Use This Service?
My SMSU is available to:
Accessing My SMSU
Web Access
- Open a web browser.
- Navigate to the My SMSU web portal.
- Select Sign In.
- Log in using your SMSU credentials.
Mobile App Access
- Download the My SMSU app:
- Open the app.
- Select My SMSU.
- Sign in using your SMSU credentials.
Login Information
Faculty & Staff
- Username: StarID@minnstate.edu
- Password: Your StarID password
Why Faculty & Staff Should Use My SMSU
My SMSU provides a platform where faculty & staff can engage with students through a tool students already use regularly. Benefits include:
- Easier communication with students outside the classroom
- Increased visibility of academic and co-curricular opportunities
- Support for advising and student success initiatives
- A centralized location for sharing resources and information
- Increased student engagement and awareness
How Faculty & Staff Can Use My SMSU
Promote Department and Program Events
Faculty & Staff can use My SMSU to promote:
- Guest speakers
- Workshops
- Department events
- Career opportunities
- Internship opportunities
- Research opportunities
Sharing events through My SMSU increases student awareness and participation.
Share Announcements
Faculty & Staff can communicate important information such as:
- Academic reminders
- Program updates
- Scholarship opportunities
- Deadlines
- Special events
- Department news
My SMSU provides an additional communication channel beyond email and learning management systems.
Support Academic Advising
Faculty & Staff advisors can use My SMSU to:
- Direct students to campus resources
- Share advising information
- Promote student success programs
- Connect students with support services
- Increase awareness of campus opportunities
Collaborate with Student Organizations
Faculty & Staff advisors and departments can:
- Support student organization activities
- Promote organization events
- Share opportunities and announcements
- Encourage student involvement
- Strengthen connections between academic programs and student groups
Encourage Student Collaboration
Faculty & Staff can encourage students to use My SMSU to:
- Communicate with classmates
- Collaborate on group projects
- Participate in group discussions
- Coordinate meetings and project activities
- Share information and resources
- Connect with students who have similar academic interests
Using My SMSU for collaboration helps students stay connected and engaged throughout the semester.
Student Surveys and Research
Students can use My SMSU groups and communities to:
- Request survey responses from other students
- Share surveys with campus groups and communities
- Gather feedback for class assignments and research projects
- Collect information for academic or organizational initiatives
- Increase participation through targeted communications
Faculty & Staff may encourage students conducting research or class projects to leverage My SMSU to connect with appropriate audiences across campus.
Available Resources
Faculty & Staff can access and share resources such as:
- Student support services
- Academic resources
- Campus departments
- Student organizations
- Forms and university links
- Campus announcements
- Student success resources
Faculty & Staff are encouraged to direct students to My SMSU as a central location for current campus information and services.
Update Your Profile
Keeping your profile current helps students identify and connect with you.
Consider adding or updating:
- Professional photo
- Office location
- Contact information
- Office hours
- Biography or professional information
A complete profile improves visibility and helps students connect with faculty & staff more easily.
Navigating My SMSU
Common areas faculty & staff will use include:
- Home / Feed – Announcements and updates
- Groups – Departments, programs, organizations, and communities
- Events – Campus activities and academic events
- Resources & Links – University services, tools, and information
- Profile & Notifications – Personal account settings and updates
Best Practices
- Keep your profile up to date.
- Promote department events and opportunities regularly.
- Share internships, research projects, and student engagement opportunities.
- Encourage students to use My SMSU for communication and collaboration.
- Direct students to available campus resources.
- Encourage participation in campus groups, communities, and events.
- Use My SMSU as a supplement to classroom communication and advising.