Category: Professional Advising

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Academic Center for Excellence Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Academic Skill Development Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies First-Generation Initiative Honors and Scholars Office of General Education Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs Student Success & Retention Tutoring University Advising Center University Advising Center University Foundations University Testing Center Writing Center

October is Disability Awareness Month!

Disability Awareness Month events. Image text duplicated in body text.

Disability Accommodations and Success Strategies (DASS) invites you to recognize and celebrate Disability Awareness Month at these on- and off-campus events.

Students for New Learning (SNL), SMU’s chartered organization for neurodivergent students, hosts 2 meetings this month. The first, on October 7, in Hughes Trigg Student Center, rooms 226 & 227, is a collaboration with SMU’s tabletop gaming club, Board Together. At the second meeting, October 28 at 5 p.m. in the A-LEC, SNL leaders and members will discuss how to choose the right courses and build the best spring schedule for you! RSVP for these events on SMU360.

In honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10, University Academic Engagement and Success (UAES) staff are invited to take a break, step outside, and enjoy a walk in nature. This event is a chance to recharge, connect with colleagues, and reflect on the importance of caring for our own well-being while supporting our students. Details will be shared with those who register through SMU360.

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Presents Hopeville – Monday, October 14 at 5 p.m. in Frances Anne Moody Hall at SMU. Join IDA Dallas for the screening of a powerful documentary that explores the root causes of America’s literacy crisis and highlights evidence-based solutions grounded in the Science of Reading. Hopeville is a call to action for parents, educators, leaders, and community members to advocate for effective reading instruction. RSVP at Eventbrite.

On October 18, the Dallas Zoo is hosting the White Cane Day Walk, a “walk on the wild side” for people who are blind or visually impaired. Register to walk or support a walker.

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Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Professional Advising Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs

Welcome John Easton

Headshot of John Easton
John Easton

Please join us in welcoming John Easton to the Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES) team! John has joined as the inaugural assistant provost for Student Academic Engagement and Success. In this role, he will lead cross-campus collaborations to improve undergraduate academic success for first-year and transfer students, support the launch of professional advising at SMU, develop additional opportunities for summer academic bridge and academic recovery courses and provide operational oversight of Academic Development of Student Athletics (ADSA).

John is bringing with him nearly 25 years of experience at SMU. He currently serves as associate chair, chief undergraduate advisor and program director of the Master of Science in environmental engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lyle School of Engineering. Additionally, he is a clinical professor, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Environmental Engineering. John received his Ph.D. in environmental health engineering, along with an M.S. in civil engineering, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He holds a B.A. in biology from the University of Kansas.

In his new role, John says he is looking forward to “working with all of the great people! The SAES team, administration, faculty colleagues, and (of course) students and student-athletes! Student engagement and success is “my jam,” and I’m thrilled to be working to support those programs and projects.” Of the students, he mentioned that “it’s a privilege to work alongside such driven, smart, and dedicated young people. They’re going out to change the world!”

John is super engaged at SMU along with his family. His wife also teaches in the Lyle School and his son has two SMU degrees and was a member of the Men’s Swimming and Diving team. Since all of the kids have left the nest, John and his wife are rediscovering their love of travel, reading, puzzles and games. And they are staying in touch with our kids by playing a weekly Dungeons and Dragons campaign, which he says has been great fun.

Welcome to SAES, John! We are excited to have you on board.

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Student Academic Engagement & Success University Advising Center

Welcoming Brandi Primm as Our New SAES Degree Counselor

We are excited to announce that Brandi Primm transitioned to the Division of Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES) as our new Degree Counselor on June 2.

Brandi brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to student support. Most recently, Brandi has been serving as an Academic Advisor at SMU, and she brings more than two decades of experience as a counselor and educator in both K–12 and higher education settings. Her background includes extensive work with early college high school programs, student support services, and academic advising. Brandi holds a Master of Science in School Counseling from Texas A&M Commerce and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Stephen F. Austin State University.

In her new role, Brandi will serve as a key academic resource for both pre-major students and declared majors in the Simmons School of Education and Human Development. She will be responsible for maintaining student academic records, assisting with degree certification, evaluating transfer work, and supporting students and advisors through the completion of general education requirements and timely graduation. The SAES Degree Counselor plays a critical role in ensuring a smooth and successful academic journey for our students, and we are thrilled to welcome Brandi into this important position.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Brandi Primm to her new role!

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Professional Advising University Advising Center

Advising Communication Update for Simmons

Dear Simmons Faculty and Staff,

As we continue to enhance the undergraduate advising experience for our students, we would like to share important updates regarding advising procedures for current and new students in the Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

SMU in Four recently sent an advising update to all faculty and staff, stating that any student who declares a major before June 1, 2025 will continue to be advised under the current advising structure. Continuing students will receive communication in August regarding how to access advisor information through my.SMU. However, all Simmons majors who declare after June 1, 2025 will transition to professional advising through the University Advising Center (UAC).

Samia Siddiqui will become a full-time staff member of the UAC, with primary responsibilities in advising. Samia has played an integral role within Simmons, and her knowledge and expertise in the majors will be invaluable during this transition. The Division of Student Academic Engagement and Success is currently in the process of hiring a degree counselor to coordinate all Simmons records functions, including athletic certification, graduation certification, petitions, repeat rosters, and more.

Here is what you can expect from these changes:

  • Professional advisors will support students with:
    • Approving Abroad Proposed Plans of Study
    • Assist students with completing petitions
    • Awareness about departmental events
    • Declaring majors and minors
    • Fulfilling Common Curriculum requirements
    • Guiding students toward on-time (4 year) graduation
    • Semester and Intersessions scheduling (including support for double majors and major/minor combinations)
  • Faculty will continue to mentor students in:
    • Internship and experiential learning opportunities
    • Curriculum guidance and sequencing within majors and minors
    • Concentrations and specializations within academic programs
    • Career exploration and industry-specific advice

Together, faculty and advisors will form a co-curricular partnership to support student success throughout their academic journey on the Hilltop. Your role will remain integral to student success.

More information about this process will be shared soon. Departments will be meeting with advising staff over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and continued support for our students.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to student success.

Samia Siddiqui

Director of Advising & Student Records

Dr. Francesca Go

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, ad interim

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Professional Advising University Advising Center

Professional advising in Dedman College

Dear Dedman Faculty and Staff,

As we continue to enhance the undergraduate advising experience for our students, we would like to share important updates regarding advising procedures for current and new students in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

SMU in Four recently sent an advising update to all faculty and staff, indicating that any student who declares a major before June 1, 2025 will continue to be advised by their current faculty advisor in Dedman College. This aligns with our established advising structure. Continuing students will receive communication in August regarding how to access advisor information through my.SMU.

This semester, several Dedman College departments participated in a pilot program with the UAC to support a smooth transition to professional advising. These departments were Anthropology, Biology, Biophysical Science, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Health and Society, Mathematics, and Political Science. Students who declare these majors after June 1, 2025 will be advised by UAC professional advisors. We sincerely thank these departments for their leadership and collaboration during this important initiative.

Professional advising of other majors will be implemented in stages and will occur only after there has been a period of training and preparedness. Starting in Fall 2025, the next group of majors that will begin the process of adopting professional advising are listed below. They will receive communication in the coming months about advisor training in collaboration with the associated departments.

  • Earth Sciences
  • History
  • Human Rights
  • Markets and Culture
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

All remaining majors can expect communication regarding collaboration with UAC advisors beginning Fall 2025 or early Spring 2026 to begin the training process. As all programs adopt professional advising, they will be organized in a pod and supported by a team of 3–4 advisors. The purpose of this structure is to group similar majors based on student experiences. The pods will be structured as follows:

  • Business Adjacent: Advertising, Applied Physiology & Sport Management, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Economics, Journalism/Fashion Media, Markets & Culture, Sport Performance Leadership
  • Pre-Health & Natural Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysical Science, Health and Society, Applied Physiology and Health Management
  • Statistics, Math, and Physical Science: Data Science, Creative Computing, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics
  • Social Science: Anthropology, Human Rights, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology
  • Humanities: English, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, World Languages and Literature

Note: International Studies and Public Policy will continue to manage their own advising for declared majors.

Dr. Kacy Hollenback (khollenback@smu.edu), Director of Undergraduate Studies in Anthropology and a Provost Fellow, is dedicating time to learn how you advise your students, understand your best practices, and hear about any concerns or issues. The role of DUS will continue to play a vital role in student success. Even with the shift to professional advising, faculty engagement with students remains essential. Faculty will continue to mentor students and identify meaningful touchpoints each semester to support students in a variety of ways, including internships, minors, research, career pathways, etc.

All current and new advisors will continue to have access to the Advising Canvas course, as well as the newly developed Advising Handbook, which will be available in Summer 2025. These resources will support ongoing efforts to guide students to degree completion and academic success.

The UAC is currently finalizing advisor assignments. Once complete, DUSs and department chairs will be notified.

Continued Support from Dedman College Academic Services

Dedman College Academic Services will maintain essential enrollment functions, manage academic records, and provide academic support for all declared Dedman College students. Monthly reports—including rosters of assigned students and their declared majors—will be distributed to all advisors, DUSs, and department chairs.

Thank you for your continued dedication and partnership as we work together to support the academic success of our students. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Dr. J.B. Georges

Director of Academic Services & CIQ Officer

Dr. Tom Carr

Associate Dean, Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

 

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Cox BBA Academic Advising & Records Lyle Office of Undergraduate Advising & Student Records Meadows Student Academic Services Professional Advising SMU in Four Student Academic Engagement & Success University Advising Center University Advising Center

Transition to Professional Academic Advising at SMU

The following message was sent to all faculty and staff on April 22, 2025 regarding SMU’s transition to professional advising. 

—-

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As part of our ongoing commitment to student success, SMU is transitioning to a professional academic advising model for all undergraduate students. This shift, recommended in SMU in Four, our Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), was outlined in the Year-Three Progress Report (2023–2024) as a key strategy to enhance retention and timely degree completion.

The professional advising experience will be phased in based on a student’s major declaration date or term of matriculation to SMU:

  • Continuing undergraduate students who declared their major before June 1, 2025 will experience no changes in their academic advising through graduation.
  • Undergraduate students declaring a major after June 1, 2025, and all students admitted for Fall 2025 and beyond will transition to the new professional advising structure. Both pre- and declared majors will be advised by:

More school-specific details on this transition will be shared with school faculty and staff in late April. We will also launch a new landing page at smu.edu/advising to direct students, faculty, and staff to the correct professional advising unit. Remember, undergraduate students can look up their assigned advisor on their my.SMU Student Dashboard. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring a smooth implementation that benefits both students and the SMU community.

Thank you for your continued dedication to student success.

Best,

Dustin K. Grabsch, Ph.D.
Co-Director, SMU in Four

Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education & Academic Success

 

 

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Professional Advising Student Academic Engagement & Success University Advising Center University Advising Center

New Director to lead the University Advising Center

We are excited to announce that Josh Beaty has been appointed as the new Director of the University Advising Center, effective April 4, 2025. In this role, Josh will oversee advising for both pre-major and declared students in select majors within Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, and Meadows School of the Arts.

Josh brings over a decade of advising experience to this position. He began his career at SMU in 2014 as an academic advisor and was later promoted to Assistant Director.

While many of us know Josh as a dedicated and collaborative colleague, he also has a rather unique extracurricular portfolio. He owns the fourth-largest pog collection in the lower Midwest, once attempted to traverse the Texas Panhandle on a Segway (until the battery gave out), and was originally cast in the role of Sebastian in La La Land—until producers decided they wanted someone who could “sing,” “dance,” and “look more like Ryan Gosling.”

If you haven’t already, please join us in congratulating Josh on his new role. We look forward to working with him in this exciting new chapter.