Explorations is a signature DMS initiative designed to take student learning and connection beyond the classroom. Through intentional group experiences, students step into new environments that encourage curiosity, reflection, and peer connection. These programs are about more than visiting new places — they are about helping Aggies build the skills, confidence, and support systems they need to thrive during their college journey and beyond.

Explorations is not about checking destinations off a list. It is about creating spaces where students grow personally and academically by engaging with new settings, new people, and new ideas. Whether traveling across Texas or experiencing the Bryan-College Station community, Explorations supports student transition, persistence, and social wellbeing by fostering shared experiences that connect learning to life.

Explorations gives students opportunities to:

• Experience new environments in ways that expand curiosity and personal growth.
• Strengthen social wellbeing by building connections with peers and mentors.
• Develop resilience and problem-solving skills through guided dialogue and reflection.
• Connect with campus units and community organizations that expand networks of encouragement and opportunity.

DMS partners with both Texas A&M campus units and local community organizations to deliver these experiences. These collaborations give students access to professionals, resources, and networks that reinforce their academic, personal, and professional goals.

Two pathways make up the Explorations initiative:

• DMS Explorations – staff-led day trips across Texas that connect students to science, history, art, and innovation while deepening reflection and peer support.
• Backyard Explorations – local experiences that link students to the Bryan-College Station community and encourage them to build confidence and networks close to home.

Explorations empowers Aggies to learn with intention, connect with purpose, discover the strength that comes from shared experiences, and gain confidence navigating unfamiliar environments.