PATHWAY PROGRAM

Where Faith doesn’t have to be alone.

FALL 2026

Your path starts here.

A five-week experience designed to help new students find community, navigate college with confidence, and grow in their faith.

KICKOFF Aug 29, 2026

THURSDAYS Sept 6:30-9:30 PM

APPLY FOR PATHWAY

WHAT IS PATHWAY —

Five Weeks.

A lifetime of community

BSM Pathway is a five-week experience designed specifically for new students at UTD. You'll be placed in a cohort of fellow freshmen led by an upperclassman mentor who has walked this road before.

Together you'll build real friendships, explore life at UTD, and gain practical tools for thriving during your college years — all grounded in faith and community.

To get the most out of Pathway, participants are asked to commit to all five sessions. This isn't a drop-in program — it's an investment in the people who will walk with you through college.

5 wks

A focused, five-week experience built for new students

Aug. 29

All-day kickoff adventure to start the experience strong

1+

Upperclassman mentor leading your cohort every step

4x

Thursday evening gatherings through September

All-day kickoff adventure to start the experience strong

WHAT TO EXPECT —

Each week is

designed with intention.

Mentor-led Discussion

Each gathering opens with a real conversation led by your upperclassman mentor — on topics that actually matter for college life: faith, relationships, purpose, and mental health.

Faith-rooted Foundation

Pathway is part of UTD's Baptist Student Ministry. Everything we do is grounded in the belief that walking with Jesus makes college — and life — richer, fuller, and more purposeful.

Cohort Group Experience

After discussion, the whole cohort does something fun together — whether that's exploring campus, trying local food, or a shared activity that helps everyone connect beyond the surface.

Real Commitment

We ask participants to commit to all five sessions. Not because we're strict — but because the depth of what happens in week 5 depends on the trust built in weeks 1 through 4.

Practical Tools

You'll walk away from each week with something actionable — habits, frameworks, and relationships that help you thrive not just in September, but throughout your entire college career.

Your People

The cohort you go through Pathway with becomes the community that carries you through college. Many of the friendships built in Pathway last well beyond the five weeks.

FULL SCHEDULE

Five sessions.

Mark your calendar.

KICKOFF Aug 29

‍  Day 1

All-Day Kickoff Adventure Saturday · Full day · Location TBD

WEEK 2 Sept 4

    6:30-9:30PM

Finding Your Footing‍‍ ‍Thursday evening · Student Union

WEEK 4 Sept 18

    6:30-9:30PM

Building You Community Thursday evening · Student Union

WEEK 3 Sept 11

     6:30-9:30PM

Faith in the Real World‍ ‍Thursday evening · Student Union

WEEK 5 Sept 25

      6:30-9:30PM

Walking with Purpose Thursday evening · Student Union

YOUR COHORT —

Led by someone

who’s been there.

Every Pathway cohort is a small group of fellow freshmen paired with an upperclassman mentor who has navigated UTD, the BSM, and college faith firsthand. They're not a program director — they're a friend ahead of you on the trail.

Long-term Community

Pathway cohorts often continue meeting well beyond the five weeks. These become your people.

Fellow Freshmen

You'll go through the experience alongside peers who are navigating the same season.

Connected to BSM

Pathway is your on-ramp into the. larger Baptist Student Ministry community at UTD.

Upperclassman Mentor

A vetted BSM leader who knows UTD and genuinely cares about your first year.

QUESTIONS

We figured you’d have a few.

  • Not at all. Pathway is open to any freshman at UTD. Whether you grew up in church, you're curious about faith for the first time, or you're somewhere in between — you're welcome here. The conversations are real and the community is genuine.

  • We ask participants to commit to all five sessions because the experience is designed to build on itself. If you have a conflict, reach out before applying and we'll talk through it. We want you to be able to fully participate.

  • Pathway is free for all participants. The kickoff adventure and all Thursday evening gatherings are covered by BSM. We believe finances shouldn't be a barrier to finding community.

  • Pathway is your on-ramp into the broader BSM community at UTD. After the five weeks, you'll be connected to weekly BSM gatherings, small groups, events, and the people who will walk with you through all four years.

  • Thursday evening cohort gatherings run 6:30–9:30 PM throughout September. Locations will be shared with registered participants. The kickoff on August 29 is an all-day adventure — details sent after you apply.

— APPLICATION OPEN

Ready to find

your people?

Spots are limited. Apply now to be placed in a Pathway cohort for Fall 2026.

Commitment required

All 5 sessions · Aug 29 kickoff + 4 Thursday evenings in September · 6:30–9:30 PM

APPLY FOR PATHWAY