Residence Life & Student Housing (RLSH) provides a complete residential college experience that serves as a converging point for one-of-a-kind living and learning opportunities in dynamic Dallas.
We bring together partners from all over campus and Dallas to help us offer unique opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and SMU departments to get involved in life on campus. Undergraduate and graduate students can now explore opportunities to serve as a peer leader and to get involved with life on the Hilltop.
Applications are now available for the 2021 – 2022 academic year and are due March 5th at 11:45p.m. via bit.ly/applypeerleader. Available peer leader positions include:
Engage Dallas Student Director: The Engage Dallas Student Director leads the commons in service around their community need, and provides the community with a point of contact for all things Engage Dallas. Student Directors plan and execute service events and educate the community about culturally conscious serving in South and West Dallas. Learn more about Engage Dallas.
Honors Mentor: From the beginning of the school year, Honors Mentors take an active role in welcoming the honors residents in their Residential Commons. They continue to meet informally with the honors students, serve as a resource, and encourage their participation in their Residential Commons and other University Honors Program events. Learn more and connect with your Honors Mentor.
Peer Academic Leader (PAL): Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) are a diverse group of undergraduate students with a common goal to help students better understand the University curriculum, utilize academic resources, and navigate academic challenges. Under the direction of the University Advising Center, PALs work directly with students in their residential community, empowering them to take ownership of their collegiate careers through mentorship and educational programming.
Peer Chaplain: Student leaders provide a listening presence to fellow students struggling with academic pressure, relationships, homesickness or other stressors through programming, 1-1 meetings, and small group settings. The aim of the peer chaplain is to help connect a peer’s personal experience to their purpose in life so that they find meaning not only in what they do but in who they are.
Student Wellness Champion (SWC): Student Wellness Champions are a diverse group of students trained to educate their Residential Commons and campus community about college lifestyle and wellness issues in a positive, interactive, fun, and nonjudgmental manner. In this program, students serve as liaisons for the Office for Community Health Promotion and the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center and act as health leaders on campus. Student Wellness Champions are given the opportunity to specialize in a health area of their choice: nutrition, mental health, physical activity, stress management, time management, sleep, resiliency, alcohol and drug prevention, sexual health, violence prevention, and healthy relationships. Learn more about the Student Wellness Champion program.
Questions about any of the above available leadership positions can be directed to Dr. Dustin Grabsch at dgrabsch@smu.edu or by calling 214.768.4887.