Carnegie Mellon University

Life at CMU

What is life at CMU? It's everything. Class work and new experiences with new people. Research and self reflection. Study groups and social gatherings. Failing and being okay with that because you grew from it. Breaking boundaries and building friendships. Leaps and bounds but also baby steps. Challenging yourself and embracing self-care. Changing the world and opening your mind, and heart, to others different from yourself.

It's people and places and experiences ... that is life at Carnegie Mellon University.

Our Students

CMU students come from all over the world. They are change makers, doers, artists, industry starters, disrupters, entrepreneurs, thinkers and leaders. They are also learning about themselves as humans, building relationships with each other, experiencing the ups and downs of life, carving paths on campus and in the world and engaging in the CMU experience in unique and personal ways.

Our undergraduate and graduate students are at the core of all we do in Student Affairs. Who they are as people and the things they care about inspire daily life on campus. We celebrate that by supporting their work and sharing some of their stories.

Our students are diverse and creative. They support important causes and drive industry forward. They mentor, take the lead and care for each other.

CMU FIRST Together

Our students are first generation.

#CMUatSXSW

Master of Entertainment Industry Management students meet industry experts.

First-Year Students

Every year, we welcome a new class of Tartans.

Tony Awards

Our graduate students create and celebrate.

Donut Dash

Greek students raise (a lot) of money for a good cause.

Resident Assistants

Our students serve as leaders and mentors.

Our Initiatives and Programs

Student Affairs programs, initiatives and resources are offered to support and foster our undergraduate and graduate students' intellectual and personal growth and to help you explore and experience the different aspects of college life. We care about you, your studies, your social growth, your well-being and your future. We want to help you enjoy a great Carnegie Mellon experience. Here are a few examples of how we do that.

Photo of a counselor speaking to a patient, blurred to preserve privacy

Asking for Help Is a Sign of Strength

Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) provides a safe, confidential environment for students to talk about personal and academic concerns. CaPS provides a range of mental health services including urgent crisis intervention and emergency consultation, individual and group therapy, outreach and educational programming, referrals and psychiatric care.

An important learning objective of the university experience is to learn self-care skills, to find balance and to bounce back from adversity.

Photo of a group of students laying in the grass and smiling

Global Connections

Student Affairs affords the opportunity for up to 10 IMPAQT (Initiating Meaningful Pittsburgh and Qatar Ties) members to visit the Qatar campus during spring break. The purpose of the trip is for IMPAQT members to immerse themselves in student life by attending classes and activities, interviewing students, faculty and staff about their experiences, meeting with student organizations, exploring residential life in Education City, and touring facilities relevant to the student experience in Education City and Doha.

Photo of a group of students doing yoga

Free Fitness Classes

Group X classes are free to Carnegie Mellon students, faculty and staff! Group X offers aerobics and strength-based training exercise classes in our on-campus fitness facilities. The current Group X schedule has nearly 60 weekly classes, including Zumba, high intensity interval training (HIIT), indoor cycling, yoga, kickboxing and dance.

As a division, we prioritize the well-being of our students and encourage you to take the time to rest and re-charge, whether that be through fitness, winding down in The Underground with friends or cuddling pups during Paws To Relax.

SAMS program

A Diverse and Inclusive Community

The Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) is a six-week rigorous residential summer program at Carnegie Mellon University for minoritized student groups interested in pursuing STEM-related undergraduate majors.

Carnegie Mellon's Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion offers programs to enhance the student experience in dimensions such as access, success, social justice, campus climate and inter-group dialogue, inclusive of high school, pre-college and incoming first-year student populations.

Photo of a nurse checking her clipboard

Health and Well-Being at CMU

Carnegie Mellon's Mindfulness Room is open 24 hours a day during the fall and spring semesters and is a space on campus dedicated to rest and relaxation. Some of the relaxation features include plants, a soothing waterfall wall, yoga mats, meditation pillows and comfy seating.

At Carnegie Mellon, individual and collective well-being is rooted in healthy connections, both to people and to campus resources like Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and University Health Services. How we care for our holistic selves and others is important to our success.

photo of the CMU Pantry

CMU's Pantry Opened in 2018.

Food insecurity is a concerning and well-documented issue facing colleges and universities nationwide. After learning of the impact of food insecurity at CMU, campus leaders quickly mobilized to address this issue for students. 

The CMU Pantry is committed to reducing hunger among students by providing nutritious food at no cost. We are dedicated to serving our student community with accessible food resources to promote a healthier, balanced university experience.

Photo of a student speaking

Preparing for the Future

The Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) is Carnegie Mellon University’s centralized career services center providing a comprehensive range of services, programs and materials focusing on career exploration and decision making, professional development, experiential learning and employment assistance to meet today’s evolving workplace and student goals of finding satisfying work.

photo of a fruit salad

Food for Thought

Fresh, nutritious food is an integral part of the health and wellness of our campus community. Dining Services makes eating well easy and delicious by creatively preparing meals that emphasize fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits and lean proteins. Select eateries around campus serve vegan and vegetarian meals and foods that are free from gluten and the top eight major allergens.

Carnegie Mellon Dining Services is committed to integrating food and nutrition education into the student experience through interactive wellness events, farmers markets, food demonstrations, cooking classes, lectures and social media.

Newsletters 

Some Student Affairs departments distribute digital newsletters that students can opt into. Explore these options and sign up for content that interests you.

Be Well Newsletter

A monthly newsletter about well-being events, news and resources.

Sign up 

CaPS D-List

Keep up with the latest events, announcements and programs from Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS)

Sign Up

Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter

Bi-weekly newsletter sharing events and programs from the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion

Sign up

Nexus of Civic Engagement Newsletter

Weekly newsletter on civic engagement opportunities

Sign up

Fitness Newsletter

Newsletter about wellness and fitness events and opportunities on campus

Email Sara gauntner to sign up

Spirituality and Religious Life Newsletter

Newsletter about spirituality and religious opportunities on campus and in the local community

Email Jonny Cagwin to Sign up