Author: Alisha Bailey

Categories
Office of Engaged Learning Pathways to Industry Student Academic Engagement & Success

Kick Off the Semester with the Mustang Mindset: January Stampede at SMU

SMU Balloons on Dallas Lawn

January Stampede Kicks Off the Semester

January Stampede is here, and it’s our collective opportunity to help students launch the new term with clarity, confidence, and connection. As faculty and staff, you play a crucial role in reinforcing the messages, resources, and habits that support student success throughout the semester. Below are the key Academic Transitions experiences we hope you’ll share with your students and incorporate into your early-term conversations.

Mustang Mindset for Incoming Transfer Students

Mustang Mindset features three breakout sessions focused on academic support services, High Impact Practices (HIPs), and Financial Aid services, along with two engaging panel discussions. These sessions give students a chance to reflect on goals, build healthy habits, and gain confidence for the months ahead. Please encourage transfer students you work with to attend on January 16, 2026, from 10:35 a.m. to 12:50 p.m in the Hughes Trigg Student Center.

 Red, Blue, and You Podcast on the Hilltop
The Red, Blue, and YOU! podcast series returns with episodes highlighting PBI Initiative, World Languages, and the Academic Calendar and many more. This is an excellent tool for staff and faculty to share with students who benefit from hearing real campus stories, insights, and tips directly from peers and SMU leaders.

Family Fest: Connecting Families to SMU
Family Fest invites parents and families to explore campus resources—from undergraduate research to libraries, study abroad, and entrepreneurship—and learn how to support student success. It’s a welcoming celebration of the Mustang community for the whole family.

Join the Fun!
Don’t miss Academic Transitions on January 16, 2026, in Hughes-Trigg Student Center! Attend Mustang Mindset sessions, hear inspiring stories on the Red, Blue, and You! podcast, and connect with the Mustang community to start the semester strong.

If you have questions about the Academic Transitions portion of January Stampede, please contact the Office of Engaged Learning at engagedlearning@smu.edu.

For more information about the 2026 January Stampede Schedule click here.

Categories
Office of Engaged Learning Pathways to Industry Student Academic Engagement & Success

Advancing High-Impact Practices: A Semester of Engagement in Pathways to Business and Industry

Business Journalism alumni

This fall, PBI continued its collaboration with key partners, including the Hegi Family Career Center, Mustang Mentors, University Advising Center, and Peer Academic Leaders (PALs). We are also excited to announce new collaborations with the Lyle Career Center and the Meadows School of the Arts Alumni and Career Success office.

PBI hosts events that promote recruitment and engagement for students interested in careers in business and industry, particularly for those not majoring in a Cox School of Business program.

PBI Playbook: Key Plays
The PBI Playbook provides students with a roadmap of experiences they can engage in to explore careers in business and industry. Key plays that students could have checked-off this fall included:

  • Scheduling an Advising Session
  • PBI Welcome Social
  • Welcome to Lyle: Pathways Prep
  • Pathways to Careers in Business Journalism Alumni Lunch & Learn
  • PBI Coffee Chat with Steppingblocks Digital Career Counselor
  • Introduction to Business Research
  • Scheduling a Degree Planning Session with PBI PALs
  • History in Action: Pathways to Business and Beyond

Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) Office Hours
This spring, PBI PALs Ruth Assefa and Tiffany Nguyen will continue hosting office hours to provide mentorship and guidance to current PBI students. They are available for coffee chats and can assist students with navigating the Steppingblocks Digital Career Counselor platform. Meetings with Ruth and Tiffany can be scheduled easily through SMU 360.

Upcoming Events

  • Cox 4+1 Webinar: PBI and the SMU Cox School of Business will host a webinar on December 4th from 12–1 PM. This event is open to all undergraduate majors. Students can register here.
  • January Stampede Family Fest: PBI will be recruiting incoming transfer students on January 15th.

If you know any first-year, second-year, or transfer undergraduate students eager to explore careers in business and industry—especially those without a business degree—please encourage them to join PBI by signing up at smu.edu/pbi.

Categories
News Office of Engaged Learning Pathways to Industry

PBI PAL Student Spotlight: Ruth Assefa

SMU student Ruth Assafa

Pathways to Business and Industry (PBI) provides a unique opportunity for first- and second-year undergraduate students, as well as transfer students, who plan to pursue careers in business and industry but are not enrolled in the Cox School of Business. It offers access to a range of internship opportunities and exclusive activities, guiding students as they explore potential majors, and connecting them with relevant classes tailored to their interests and career goals. The program serves as a bridge for students, empowering them with resources and support geared towards their professional aspirations.     

In the role of Pathways to Business and Industry Peer Academic Leader (PBI PAL), Ruth serves as a peer advisor and representative of this initiative. She will help to increase peer-to-peer engagement, plan events for PBI students, and strengthen connections with student groups across campus. 

Q: What intrigued you about PBI and what made you apply to be a PBI PAL? 

The mission of PBI was one I wanted to contribute to because PBI gives students a real chance to achieve their career goals by giving them resources to obtain certifications, training, and attending business related events and much more. My past job experiences and knowledge of technical industry was one of the main reasons I applied to be a PBI PAL because I felt like it was a good match to influence non-business students. 

Q: What skillsets are you hoping to gain personally and professionally?  

I believe by taking on the role as a PBI PAL affords me the opportunity to advise students on campus in career and by providing academic support, this puts me in a position to continue to grow in public speaking. I would like to continue to gain skills in event planning, and I believe this position will help me increase my skills in organizational and logistical coordination.   

Q: What skillsets are you hoping to share with other students through PBI PAL events and programs?  

I’m hoping to share my technical skills with other students because of my background in Computer Science. I feel like the business field and technology field intersect at times and I believe that I can help students find resources that can help them strengthen their technical skills as they explore other careers and internships that intersect with technology and business. 

Q: What are you looking forward to the most by being a PBI PAL this academic year? 

What I am looking forward to the most is creating and organizing events that can help non-business students. For example, the upcoming PBI PAL Data Analysis and Visualization Workshop that I am hosting with the SMU Statistics and Data Science Club will provide students with an understanding of how data science connects with the business world by walking them through a mini project where they are experimenting with Python and other coding tools. Undergraduate students can develop skills in data science by learning to use relevant tools, gaining insight into how these skills can open pathways into careers in business and industry. 

Q: As a PBI PAL, what services can you provide to undergraduate students that are interested in business and majoring in a non-business major? 

Undergraduate students can register on SMU 360 and sign up for my office hours for the fall on Mondays and Wednesdays. During my office hours I can help students navigate  the PBI Playbook which lays out key steps on being successful as a PBI student, teach students how to use degree planner on SMU dashboard, help students explore opportunities and resources by reminding them to schedule their appointments with their career counselors and engage with Stepping Blocks Digital Career Counselor. 

To find out more about PBI, visit smu.edu/pbi or to have student sign up for Ruth’s office hours, visit SMU 360. 

Categories
Office of Engaged Learning Pathways to Industry Student Academic Engagement & Success

Fall 2025 Pathways to Business and Industry (PBI) Events

Students attending alumni panel

We’re excited to kick off the Fall 2025 semester with a strong start! On August 28th, we welcomed 32 students to our PBI Welcome Social, a great sign of growing interest in professional development and career exploration. 

We’re especially grateful for the support from faculty and staff across campus — including the Lyle School of Engineering, Department of History, Meadows School of the Arts, Office of General Education, University Advising Center, Office of Engaged Learning, and PBI PALs Tiffany Nguyen and Ruth Assefa — who help make these opportunities visible and impactful for students. 

This semester, the Pathways to Business and Industry (PBI) initiative will host a variety of events designed to help undergraduate students explore career paths, connect with industry professionals, and build key skills for the future. These events are open to all students interested in business and industry, who are not pursuing a major in the Cox School of Business. 

Please encourage your students to check out the full list of upcoming events and register on SMU 360. 

 

Categories
News Office of Engaged Learning Student Academic Engagement & Success

Academic Explorations Open Houses This September

Sign for Academic Explorations

The Office of Engaged Learning is excited to partner with our academic colleges this September to host a series of Academic Explorations Open Houses.  These events are designed to help undergraduate students connect with faculty, tour departments, and learn more about potential – or planned – majors and minors. 

Throughout the month, Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Lyle School of Engineering, and Meadows School of the Arts will welcome student to a variety of engaging events—from lunches with professors and department tours, to informational open houses and even pizza galas! 

Students will have the opportunity to:  

  • Meet faculty and ask questions directly about academic programs. 
  • Tour departments to see where learning and discovery take place. 
  • Explore majors, minors, internships, and interdisciplinary programs that align with their interests and goals. 

By participating, students will gain valuable insights to help them make, confident, informed choices about their academic and professional pathways. 

We encourage faculty and staff to spread the word and support participation as we work together to help students explore, connect,  and succeed.

Check out the Academic Explorations full schedule. Thank you for your continued partnership in shaping meaningful academic experiences for our students! 

Categories
News Office of Engaged Learning

Celebrating Academic Connections at Stampede

The Hilltop was buzzing with energy and excitement as SMU welcomed its newest Mustangs during Stampede and Academic Affairs proudly played a key role in shaping a warm, informative, and engaging introduction to life at SMU. 

On Friday, we kicked off with Mustang Mindset, an inspiring session led by Dr. Whitney Jones and Dr. Jennifer Ebinger. Together, they helped incoming students begin their academic journey by diving into what it means to be an intellectually curious and growth-oriented Mustang. Through this interactive and empowering presentation, students were encouraged to envision their potential and embrace the opportunities that await them at SMU. 

Adding to the warm welcome was a special message from Executive Vice President and Provost Rachel Mersey. Her remarks reminded students that they are now part of a community that is deeply committed to their academic success, personal development, and sense of belonging. Her message set a positive tone and reinforced the university’s dedication to each student’s journey. 

Students eating lunch at Commuter and Transfer Lunch event

Later in the day, the Commuter and Transfer Student Luncheon brought together around 300 students, faculty, and staff in both Hughes Trigg Student Center Ballroom and Cox School of Business EY Gallery for a relaxed, informal networking event hosted in a welcoming setting, this luncheon created space for meaningful conversations and introductions. Students had the chance to engage directly with representatives from various academic departments and student service units including the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (ALEC), Hegi Career Center, and programs like Business Journalism, History, Management Science, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs (CCPA), and Chemistry. 

This casual yet impactful event gave commuter and transfer students a valuable opportunity to explore majors, learn about support resources, and connect with the campus community in an approachable way. Many left with new insights, helpful contacts, and a greater sense of confidence in navigating their path forward at SMU. 

From the dynamic kickoff sessions to the inclusive networking luncheon, Academic Affairs was thrilled to be part of such a vibrant start to the semester. Here’s to a successful year ahead as our students dive into their studies, explore their passions, and discover what it truly means to be a Mustang! 

Categories
Office of Engaged Learning Pathways to Industry Student Academic Engagement & Success

Pathways to Business and Industry Info Sessions for Students and Families

SMU Pathways to Business & Industry logo

Please help us spread the word to students and families about an exciting opportunity at SMU for those interested in business careers—regardless of their major. 

Pathways to Business and Industry (PBI) is a unique program designed for students who are not majoring in the Cox School of Business but want to pursue careers in business and industry. Whether a student is an incoming first-year or a transfer, PBI offers personalized guidance, access to campus resources, and opportunities for internships and professional development. 

We encourage you to share the details of our upcoming virtual information sessions with incoming students and their families:  

Navigating Business & Industry Pathways at SMU 
• Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 12:00–12:30 PM (CT) 
• Thursday, August 7, 2025, 4:00–4:30 PM (CT) 

These live, 30-minute sessions offer a chance to hear directly from SMU advisors and career coaches who will guide your student throughout their journey.   

Students and families can also explore more about PBI through the PBI Playbook and blog stories that highlight student success and offer practical advice.  

Questions? 
If students or families have questions, please email pbi@smu.edu. 

Categories
News Office of Engaged Learning Pathways to Industry Student Academic Engagement & Success

Reflecting on a Successful Year: SMU Pathways to Business and Industry

As we wrap up another incredible year, the SMU Pathways to Business and Industry (PBI) initiative is proud to reflect on its accomplishments and milestones. With 51 events hosted or co-hosted, we’ve been able to offer students countless opportunities to engage with industry professionals, peers, and mentors across various fields. 

One of the most exciting highlights was the hiring of Tiffany Nguyen as our PBI Peer Academic Leader (PAL). Tiffany’s dedication and leadership have been invaluable in fostering student engagement and success throughout the year. 

Our collaborations with key partners, including the Hegi Family Career Center and the University Advising Center, have played a pivotal role in connecting students to resources and providing the support they need to thrive. A particularly memorable event was the Pathways to Careers in Management Science Alumni Panel Lunch and Learn, a collaboration with the Lyle School of Engineering. This event provided an exclusive opportunity for students to interact with successful alumni and gain insights into the diverse career paths within management science. 

Additionally, we’ve continued to highlight valuable tools such as the Stepping Blocks Digital Career Counselor, which helps students better understand career trends and access personalized career insights. We’ve also produced the Pathways to Business and Industry Playbook – a comprehensive guide for students with campus resources and partners to know, as well as actions they can take to prepare for their future career.

Overall, this year has been filled with meaningful connections, exciting collaborations, and a continued commitment to providing students with the resources they need to succeed in the business world. We look forward to another year of growth and opportunities for our SMU community! 

PBI is currently planning programming and events for the fall, so if you are interested in collaborating with PBI for fall 2025, please contact us at pbi@smu.edu.  

Categories
Office of Engaged Learning Pathways to Industry Student Academic Engagement & Success

Pathways to Business and Industry collaboration with Peer Academic Leaders

The SMU Pathways to Business and Industry (PBI) initiative continues to build strong collaborations across the university throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. One of the highlights of this initiative is the active involvement of the PBI Peer Academic Leaders (PAL), who work alongside PBI and PALs to host events that connect students with valuable resources, networking opportunities, and engaging social experiences. 

With six active campus partners, including multiple academic departments, the PBI initiative offers a comprehensive approach to career preparation. Our PBI PAL is at the heart of planning and organizing a variety of events throughout the year. Among the exciting upcoming events is the Keychain Making with The DIG, scheduled for April 29th from 5:00-6:30pm. This event offers students a fun opportunity to network, unwind, and practice a technical skillset while tapping into their creativity. 

Tiffany Nguyen, our dedicated PBI PAL, shared her enthusiasm about hosting five PBI PAL events during the 2024-2025 academic year and engaging with nearly 40 students through combined PBI and PBI PAL events:  

“I feel that every event I plan, I’m always excited to host them. The enthusiasm I have for the PBI [initiative] can’t be put into words, because I don’t think there’s any other opportunity like this ever for students.” 

The collaboration between PBI and PALs is not only a testament to the strong sense of community at SMU but also to the initiative’s commitment to providing students with hands-on experiences that prepare them for success in business and industry. With exciting events like the upcoming Keychain Making with The DIG, students are sure to benefit from this invaluable partnership. 

If you have undergraduate students that are interested in attending our upcoming PBI events hosted by our PBI PAL, encourage them to visit the PBI SMU 360 page to sign up. 

Categories
Office of Engaged Learning Pathways to Industry Student Academic Engagement & Success

Pathways to Business and Industry: Drop-in Advising for Students

The University Advising Center (UAC) has been an active partner with Pathways to Business and Industry (PBI) throughout the academic year, offering valuable support through UAC Workshops and upcoming drop-in advising sessions to help students navigate their academic journey and career paths. These sessions provide students with personalized guidance to enhance their academic and professional development. 

Here’s the schedule for the upcoming advising sessions: 

  • March 31: 2-4:30 PM, Blanton 408F 
  • April 7: 2-4:30 PM, Clements Hall Scholars Den (Snacks provided) 
  • April 9: 2-4:30 PM, Virtual via Zoom 

During the advising session, advisors will show students how to easily navigate the Shopping Cart and Schedule of Classes by adding their desired courses to the cart, reviewing course details, and then registering once their schedule is finalized. 

Whether students are seeking advice on course selection or career planning, these sessions offer a valuable opportunity to connect with an expert advisor who is here to support your success. 

PBI will be hosting a recruitment table in the UAC, with the following dates and times: 

  • April 8, 10:00 to 11:30 AM, Blanton 408A 
  • April 9, 10:00 to 11:30 AM, Blanton 408A 
  • April 10, 10:00 to 11:30 AM, Blanton 408A 

This will be a chance for undergraduate students to learn more about the PBI initiative and sign up. 

If you have students that are interested in finding out more about PBI, feel free to reach out to pbi@smu.edu. Undergraduate students can easily register for any of the drop-in advising sessions via SMU 360.