Student Life
![students standing in front of campus building](files/student-life-2.jpg)
![Students with coffee at a table](files/20190426_GJP_0541.jpg)
Make the most of every moment
We're a small school with big heart. Our campus is a warm, welcoming place that strengthens and enhances your educational experience. You get all the benefits of a close-knit school with the amenities of a world-class university.
DSU students work hard, but we have just as much fun. Our community of 3,000 plus students is active in athletics, academic teams, research, and clubs and organizations. From ultimate frisbee to anime, intramural sports to volunteer opportunities, there's a way to find your people.
![group of students sitting on cushions](files/fyre.jpg)
FYRE (First Year Residence Experience)
Our signature program for first-year students is designed to help you transition to college life.
![students at table looking at laptops](files/academic-teams-1.jpg)
Academic teams
Apply your tech skills as part of a regionally and nationally competitive team challenged with programming, cyber defense, and more.
Living, learning, growing
We take a holistic approach to student life at DSU. The First-Year Experience (FYRE) program helps you transition to college. On-campus housing provides a supportive, safe, and comfortable home base. Our Counseling Center is your go-to for help with academic, mental health, and substance use counseling. We have dedicated staff to assist veterans, international students, and students with disabilities. There's even a new program, STRONG, tasked with supporting students who have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Wellness is a priority at DSU. We offer a number of fresh, healthy, and convenient dining options. If you want to get in some exercise, you can take a dip in the pool or shoot hoops with your membership to the on-campus Madison Community Center. Under the weather? Visit the Student Health Office nurse to treat minor illness or injury (rest assured, urgent or emergency care is nearby at Madison Regional Health).
Events
News
![Madeline Hegg](https://dsu.edu/news/_files/2024/hegg_1350x900.png)
Inspired to Educate
By the third grade, Madeline Hegg already knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. Like many individuals who choose to pursue a career in education, she was inspired by teachers throughout her schooling.
![An image with orange hexagons and dots connecting on a blue background with the words DAD at MAAC 2 A Digital Arts and Design Student Exhibition.](https://dsu.edu/news/_files/2024/04/dad-1350x900.jpg)
DSU art students to exhibit projects
Drawings, digital illustrations and photography, paintings, animations, digital sound projects, and 3D works will fill the BrickHouse this week. These works, created by DSU Digital Art & Design (DAD) students, will be displayed by the Madison Area Arts Council (MAAC) at the BrickHouse on Thursday, April 11 from 7 to 9 p.m.
![Zach Rorhbach in front of a white background.](https://dsu.edu/news/_files/2024/03/rorhbach_1350x900.jpg)
Beyond the bedside
An interest in science, medicine, and health will often conjure images of potential careers as doctors, nurses, dentists, paramedics, and therapists, but there are other avenues for those who would prefer to work with different aspects of patient care. Health informatics and information include all data related to a patient’s medical history, including their symptoms, diagnoses, procedures, and outcomes.