Effective August 1, the Department of University Foundations joined the Division of Student Academic Engagement and Student Success. University Foundations provides enriching coursework focused on students’ personal, academic, and leadership development as they transition to the SMU community. The department manages all courses with a UNIV or PRW prefix. You can find more information about University Foundations on their website.
Five faculty members transitioned from the Simmons School of Education and Human Development into the Department of University Foundations:
- Caitlin Anderson, Chair and Teaching Associate Professor – located in the Scholars Den
- Brian Fennig, Teaching Associate Professor – located in PAB suite 301
- Troy Forte, Teaching Assistant Professor – located in the Scholars Den
- Haemin Kim-Breunig, Teaching Assistant Professor – located in PAB suite 301
- Abby Pruitt, Teaching Professor – located in PAB suite 301
The department is thrilled to welcome three new faculty members to University Foundations:
- Jessica Garrett, Teaching Assistant Professor – located in the Scholars’ Den: Dr. Garrett is from the windy city of Chicago. She completed her Ph.D. in the Cultural and Policy Studies Program at Loyola University in Chicago. She is eager to help our students reach their full potential and live with purpose.
- Hannah Park Lee, Teaching Assistant Professor and Faculty Coordinator of the Hilltop Scholars Program – located in the Scholars’ Den: Prior to her current position, Dr. Park Lee worked with Honors and Scholars programs here at SMU in addition to working with non-profit organizations in the DFW area. She completed her Ed.D. in Higher Education at Southern Methodist University. Dr. Park Lee’s research interests include program and curriculum development as well as the impact diverse curriculum has on the student experience.
- Jan Mallett, Teaching Assistant Professor – located in PAB suite 301: Dr. Mallett previously worked at SMU as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning where she coordinated the M.Ed. with Montessori Specialization. She’s continued to teach in the Departments of Teaching and Learning and Applied Physiology and Sport Management. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M – Commerce.
Welcome to SAES, University Foundations!