Month: February 2024

Categories
Office of Engaged Learning Office of Engaged Learning - Entrepreneurship

Seeking Clinton Global Initiative “Commitment-Makers”!

Clinton Global Initiative University promotional picture with panel discussion
The Office of Engaged Learning coordinates the Clinton Global Initiative University program at SMU. Undergraduate and graduate students can apply to join a growing global community of over 12,500 social entrepreneurs working to solve our world’s most pressing issues.
SMU’s CGIU “Commitment Makers” receive
  • Up to $1500 to fund their Commitment to Action Project
  • Funding to attend the CGIU annual meeting
Application Process
The deadline for CGIU 2024 is March 15, 2024. Contact our office at engagedlearning@smu.edu for help with your application.
Information sessions/workshops with former winners, on Zoom:
More details: SMU.EDU/CGIU
Categories
Office of Engaged Learning Office of Engaged Learning – Research Student Academic Engagement & Success University Honors Program

Interview with Paige Edwards, Engaged Learning Fellow

headshot of Paige Edwards, Engaged Learning Fellow

One year ago, Paige Edwards, a student studying Film and Human Rights, was able to travel to Hawai’i because of a scholarship awarded by the Human Rights and Honors Program where students learned about social justice issues. Paige connected to one of the bus drivers, Leina Fisher on this trip. Fisher is a Native Hawaiian woman working in the hospitality industry but who dreamed of starting her own business. Paige and her fellow students decided to help her out to make Makali’i – Fisher’s educational tour business catering to people interested in Hawaiians culture and history. This experience inspired her project Re-Imagine Paradise: The Impacts of the Illegal Annexation of Hawai’i and Tourism on Native Hawaiians. The project focuses on “how tourism is a consequence and a complicity of colonial and illegal annexation of Hawai’i.” 

A significant aspect of this project was that Paige had to collaborate with other students and professors. Last summer, Paige was in McNair Scholars Program SRI course which provided her with a good foundation to write research papers. Paige also leaned on other research students by running ideas by them to help improve her paper and she often contacted her faculty mentor Brad Klein when needing help. 

This project is not only a passion for Paige now but impacts her long-term goals of going to law school where she wants to focus on serving underrepresented communities. Her “interests in human rights and law have not only shaped [her] research, but also the kind of work [she] likes to produce.” For right now though, Paige is producing a documentary film called Kanaka Driven Tours which “focuses on the impacts of tourism on Native Hawaiians and will educate viewers on ethical traveling.” Make sure to keep an eye out for it to learn more about the tourism industry in Hawai’i and how there is so much more to it than what meets the eye! 

Categories
Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Student Academic Engagement & Success

47 SMU Student-Athletes Make Honor Roll in Fall 2023 Semester

peruna celebrates

We are honored to highlight our Fall 2023 student-athletes that have shown their dedication and hard-work in the classroom. In total, 47 student-athletes made one of three categories of the honor roll: Honor Roll, Honor Roll- Distinction, and Honor Roll-High Distinction. 

11 Student-athletes made the Honor Roll in the Fall 2023 semester. To achieve this honor at SMU, the student needs to be in the top 15% of the school record. 

Name (Last, First) Sport Distinction 
Righellis, Ned Football Honor Roll, Honor
Chou, Megan Women’s Golf Honor Roll, Honor
Taylor, Alex Rowing Honor Roll, Honor
Berkovitz, Niv Men’s Soccer Honor Roll, Honor
Rudden, Mackenzie Women’s Soccer Honor Roll, Honor
Corbeau, Angus Men’s Swimming Honor Roll, Honor
Culver, John Men’s Swimming Honor Roll, Honor
Dickinson, Isabella Women’s Swimming Honor Roll, Honor
Parkinson, Maxine Women’s Swimming Honor Roll, Honor
Priest, Lauren Women’s Swimming Honor Roll, Honor
McPhaul, Camryn Track & Field, Cross Country Honor Roll, Honor

21 Student-Athletes made the Honor Roll with Distinction. To achieve this status, the student-athlete needs to be in the top 10% of the school record.

Name (Last, First) Sport Distinction 
Doles, Evie Equestrian Honor Roll- Distinction
Douglas, Grayson Equestrian Honor Roll- Distinction
Iwasaki, Augusta Equestrian Honor Roll- Distinction
Holleron, Case Football Honor Roll- Distinction
Vivier, Nicole Women’s Golf Honor Roll- Distinction
Fina, Anna Rowing Honor Roll- Distinction
Kercher, Saylor Rowing Honor Roll- Distinction
Knudson, Grace Rowing Honor Roll- Distinction
Lewis, Ellie Rowing Honor Roll- Distinction
New, Annabelle Rowing Honor Roll- Distinction
Schwenn, Haley Rowing Honor Roll- Distinction
Guerra Echeverria, Marcelo Men’s Soccer Honor Roll- Distinction
Halscheid, Hayden Women’s Soccer Honor Roll- Distinction
Yumul, Maura Women’s Soccer Honor Roll- Distinction
Bouwman, Leif Men’s Swimming Honor Roll- Distinction
Fields, Wyatt Men’s Swimming Honor Roll- Distinction
Forrest, Jack Men’s Swimming Honor Roll- Distinction
Ruan, Tiffanie Women’s Swimming Honor Roll- Distinction
Grammas, Ellie Track & Field, Cross Country Honor Roll- Distinction
Tissier, Flora Track & Field, Cross Country Honor Roll- Distinction
Lamirand, Jentry Volleyball Honor Roll- Distinction

The third and final category is Honor Roll with High Distinction; which means that the student-athlete’s listed below are in the 5% of the school record.

Name (Last, First) Sport Distinction 
Young, Jackson Men’s Basketball Honor Roll, High Distinction
Hoch, Hannah Equestrian Honor Roll, High Distinction
Fiser, Charlie Equestrian Honor Roll, High Distinction
Schumacher, Markus Football Honor Roll, High Distinction
Stuelpe, Sydney Football Honor Roll, High Distinction
Annen, Peyton Rowing Honor Roll, High Distinction
Burr, Isabella Women’s Soccer Honor Roll, High Distinction
Dermott, Abigail Women’s Soccer Honor Roll, High Distinction
Binder, Benjamin Men’s Swimming Honor Roll, High Distinction
DeJean, William Men’s Swimming Honor Roll, High Distinction
Olsen, Mia Track & Field, Cross Country Honor Roll, High Distinction
McGinley, Caroline Women’s Tennis Honor Roll, High Distinction
Cullen, Celia Volleyball Honor Roll, High Distinction
Categories
Office of Engaged Learning Office of Engaged Learning - Entrepreneurship Pathways to Industry

SMU Alum’s business featured on NBCDFW

Woman talking to news anchor at desk with beauty products.

We love seeing SMU entrepreneurs in the news! SMU alum Lidya Winnie ‘19 was recently featured on Texas Today on NBC discussing her natural beauty business Konjo Beauty. Watch Lidya’s Texas Today segment. 

Lidya started her company Konja Beauty while studying Arts Entrepreneurship and Markets and Culture and developed this idea as a fellow at the Big iDeas, SMU Incubator. You can learn more about her business and shop her products at konjabeauty.com.

Categories
Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center First-Generation Initiative Rotunda Scholars Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs

First-Gen Feature: Caroline Madrid

headshot of Caroline Madrid

First-generation college students must overcome unique obstacles to be successful in college. Every obstacle comes with a story worth hearing. First-Gen Feature is a chance for first-generation college students to showcase their stories. Caroline Madrid, a first-year student shares what being first-gen means to her.

Q: What was your motivation for pursuing college?

A: My motivation for pursuing college was simply just to make my grandpa proud, he was a very smart man and he always inspired me to pursue my dreams. My parents were also another motivation, my parents worked really hard my entire childhood to provide for me and my siblings, and being able to return the favor was really important for me.

Q: What are your career goals?

A: My career goal is to make it as a lawyer and ultimately raise a happy family. As a first-gen, I’ve watched my parents work tirelessly every day to provide for me and my family and even today, they continue to work hard so I can be here. I want to not only release this burden off their shoulders but work hard for my future family.

Q: What extracurricular activities are you involved In and how do you manage course load and other aspects of life?

A: I have two jobs and Rotunda scholars where I have monthly and weekly requirements. The best way I have found to manage my courseload is to maintain my priorities and remember what I came to SMU for. Every day here at SMU is a reminder of the life I want to provide for myself and my family, and that gives me the strength to focus on my studies.

Q: What achievements are you most proud of?

A: Considering I am in my first year, I am proud of myself of staying persistent on my academics and maintaining good discipline while managing my two jobs and social relationships.

Q: Advice for first-gen students?

A: Don’t fight your battles alone, for so long I always thought I had nobody to help me through my hardships but after coming to SMU I realized so many of the faculty care about you and your success and truly want to see you succeed.

 

Categories
Office of General Education Peer Academic Leaders Student Academic Engagement & Success University Advising Center

Degree Planner To-Do Tasks added to undergraduate students’ my.SMU

On Thursday, February 15th, two separate To-Do Tasks were added to all undergraduate students’ my.SMU accounts to promote the completion of their Degree Planner by March 1st and Success Fest on February 28th.

  • To-Do Task for pre-major students: “Complete your Degree Planner, if you have not already. Pre-major students are required to plan through the semester after their major declaration by Friday, March 1st. Students with a completed path in Degree Planner can attend Success Fest on Wednesday, February 28th. Students can get help with Degree Planner from a PAL, advisor, or at a Degree Planner workshop.”
  • To-Do Task for declared students: “Complete your Degree Planner, if you have not already. Declared students are required to plan through the semester of their graduation by Friday, March 1st. Students with a completed path in Degree Planner can attend Success Fest on Wednesday, February 28th. Students can get help with Degree Planner from a PAL, advisor, or at a Degree Planner workshop.”

A message was also sent via students’ Message Center, detailing information on Degree Planner, how to enter Success Fest, and upcoming Degree Planner workshops.

Students are encouraged to attend a Degree Planner Workshop hosted by the Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) on February 22nd from 4pm-5pm in Hughes-Trigg room 120, or to schedule a 1-1 appointment with a PAL.

Students can also attend Degree Planner Workshops hosted by the University Advising Center (UAC) on February 26th or February 27th from 11:30am-2:30pm in Hughes-Trigg room 130. Students who show proof of a complete Degree Planner can enter Success Fest on February 28th from 2pm-4pm in the Hughes-Trigg Varsity.

Every Fall and Spring semester, undergraduate students can expect a Degree Planner deadline and Success Fest as it becomes a pre-advising season ritual.

Categories
Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies Student Academic Engagement & Success University Testing Center

University Testing Center now accommodates Respondus LockDown Browser for Canvas assessments

Student taking test at SMU University Testing Center
SMU students take tests in the University Testing Center, January 24, 2023 in Clements Hall on the SMU Campus.

The University Testing Center (UTC) is excited to announce a new proctoring software that allows Canvas tests to be administered with the Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB).

The new software, NetSupport School, replaces a previous program, iTalc, that could not facilitate real-time surveillance of students taking Canvas tests with the Respondus LockDown Browser on UTC computers.

With NetSupport School,  professors will no longer have to create non-LDB versions of Canvas tests administered at the UTC — classroom test versions with LDB can now be used without issue.  And, on test day, students will not have to search for a “UTC version” of a Canvas test different from what is given in the classroom.

With its expanded features, NetSupport School streamlines the student and faculty testing experience while enhancing the UTC’s commitment to test integrity and security.

Various academic departments and professors utilizing the testing center suggested this feature and service enhancement, and we are excited to offer this new ability.

For more information, please contact the UTC at 214-768-6064 or universitytestingcenter@smu.edu.

 

Categories
SMU in Four Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Success & Retention

Early Progress Reports (EPR) are available and will be due on February 20 at midnight

Early and mid-term reports are an excellent opportunity to remind students about course expectations and to positively acknowledge what has already been accomplished.

It is also very important that faculty report a deficiency.

Faculty reminders about the Early Progress Report (EPR) deadline of Tuesday, February 20 at 11:59p.m. were sent today. SMU in Four School Implementation Teams were also notified of response rates over the weekend.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Student Success and Retention at ssr@smu.edu.

 

Categories
Student Success & Retention

Internal applications for Director of Student Success and Retention sought

SMU Student Academic Engagement & Success (SAES) is excited to share an internal full-time staff position within Undergraduate Education & Academic Success (UEAS). The posting will be available later this week, February 19, via the Internal Applicant login in the SMU Staff Career Portal.

Please consider sharing this with your offices and posting it within your SMU professional networks.   

Director, Student Success and Retention: The Director leads the Office of Student Success and Retention (SSR). The primary role is supervising three full-time staff and providing day-to-day problem-solving for students trying to remain, depart, or return to SMU. Working closely with the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education and Academic Success and the SMU in Four initiative, the Director operationalizes processes to identify at-risk students, strategically outreaches to inspire engagement, coordinates interventions, tracks academic progress, and assesses our institutional strengths and weaknesses in these areas. Manage interventions as projects, repeating annually or each term, involving multiple offices. The Director chairs a university-wide retention and financial support committee to retrain undergraduate students. Serves as a critical partner to the Office of the Dean of Students. 

  • Deadline: 10 days following posting
  • Applicant Type: Internal Only; only current SMU employees may apply
  • Hiring point-of-contact: Dr. Dustin Grabsch (dgrabsch@smu.edu; 214-768-4887) 
Categories
First-Generation Initiative Student Academic Success Programs

First-Gen Social “Let’s Talk About FAFSA”

On Feb. 15, 30 first-gen students attended a workshop sponsored by the First-Gen Initiative, First-Gen Association, and Financial Literacy to discuss the changes in the FAFSA, answer questions and socialize. The presentation was conducted by Jennifer Gomez with several Financial Services advisors in attendance for one-on-one discussions. Also joining the students were members of the University Advising Center, who mixed with the students and discussed summer and fall registration plans. Thank you FGI, FGA and Financial Literacy for sponsoring an informative program in an informal way to help our first-gen students. The Ben and Jerry’s ice cream was enjoyed by ALL!