The Division of Student Academic Engagement and Success will gather for our semesterly division meeting on Tuesday, February 11.
To permit full participation by all division employees, we will temporarily close all offices from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
We will return to normal business operations thereafter. Thank you for your understanding and we apologize for any inconvenience in advance. If you have any questions, please email academicsuccess@smu.edu.
SMU is thankful for these Mustangs that lead the charge in academics, athletics, and improving their community during the holiday season!
Emily Little (Cross Country and Track & Field)
Emily is a dynamic and dedicated student-athlete who has made significant contributions to her team and the university in the Fall semester. Her active participation in both on-track and off-track activities demonstrates her commitment to achieving excellence. During the Life After Ball (LAB) programming, she was highly engaged, offering valuable insights and actively participating in discussions. Her strong character and leadership qualities are evident in her interactions with teammates and coaches. Her athletic accomplishments, including earning All-ACC honors at the ACC Cross Country Championships, highlight her exceptional talent and dedication to her sport. As a recent transfer to SMU, she is eager to apply her knowledge and skills to her Master’s in Sport Management program.
Izzy Krantzcke (Women’s Swim & Dive)
Izzy is a dedicated leader and active participant in the SMU and Dallas community. Izzy was a nominee by SAS (Student-Athlete Success), as she consistently ranks at the top of the Athletic Service Leaderboard, demonstrating her commitment to volunteering and giving back to the Dallas community. Her enthusiastic participation in LAB and DEIB initiatives fosters a positive and inclusive environment at SMU. She has been excelling in the classroom as an academic weapon, most notably within her Health Management courses. Izzy is a rising star, as a sophomore, with a bright future!
Keldric Luster (Football)
Several ADSA staff members have acknowledged sophomore Keldric’s positive attitude. He has been nominated as a Mustang Champion because of his dedication to both academics and athletics. Keldric employs the same learning strategies he uses as a quarterback to master classroom content. The ADSA staff looks forward to seeing his hard work pay off in the coming semesters, and Keldric is optimistic that it will. The ADSA staff also appreciates his encouragement of his teammates, both on and off the field.
Vikas Deo (Men’s Tennis)
Vikas, a DFW Native from Carrollton, joined the Hilltop Fall 2024 after a stint at Wake Forest. The Computer Science major is specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Specialization. Vikas quickly became a regular presence in the ADSA while building connections with student-athletes across all sports. Dr. Teiana Jones, Senior Director of ADSA and Assistant A.D. for Academics, appreciates his positive spirit and perseverance. She believes that these qualities will continue to grow throughout his time at SMU.
We will be back next month to highlight another four student-athletes which will be the last four student-athletes of 2024!
As classes will not be in session on Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving, the University Testing Center will also be closed. The center will reopen on Monday, December 2nd.
Our best wishes to the entire Mustang family for a wonderful holiday, and we give thanks for your support!
It’s hard to believe this semester is coming to an end! Final exams are around the corner and the UTC will extend its hours to accommodate the schedule.
Testing hours will be 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. beginning Thursday, December 12th through Wednesday, December 18th, including Saturday, December 14th. The testing office will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. each day.
There will be no testing during Reading Days (Tuesday, December 10th and Wednesday, December 11th).
DASS students and student-athletes should schedule their testing appointments as soon as possible in the UTC Portal, as space is limited.
Best of luck on your finals, Mustangs, and congratulations to our December graduates!
This month’s Mustang Champions feature three Senior Mustangs and one on the rise Freshman! Check out the commitment to excellence by our Mustangs Champions of the Month!
Natalia Newsome (Volleyball)
Natalia Newsome is a freshman from Arlington, Texas and is having a standout year on the court and in the classroom. She has impressed her senior academic counselor, Alana Owens, who shared that she has a respectful and punctual attitude and that Natalie is committed to her studies. Owens notes that Newsome embodies the Athletic Department’s S.P.I.R.I.T. motto, making her a joy to work with. She is the middle blocker on the SMU volleyball team, which is nationally ranked at #10. Natalia’s academic interests include Business, Law, or Sports Management.
Kyran Chambron Pinho (Men’s Soccer)
Kyran Chambron Pinho is a senior from Frankfurt, Germany. During his time on the Hilltop, he has been a role model for the other international students on his team. He exemplifies what is means to be a student-athlete. Not only is he competitive and striving for excellence on the pitch, but he also expects perfection in the classroom and from his peers. The two-time ACC Player of the Week honoree, encourages the use of ADSA resources and regularly pursues opportunities for personal, educational, and professional growth, which will continue to serve him well. Dr. Teiana Jones, Senior Director of ADSA and Assistant Athletic Director of Academics, shared that Kyran has been a pleasure to get to know. She is proud of his academic journey. Kyran is on track to graduate in 3.5 years, with a degree in Economics and a minor in Psychology (Fall 2024). SMU awaits the reveal of the 48-team NCAA Championships bracket, which is set to be released during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 18. First-round NCAA tournament action will begin on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Maykayla Jackson (Track & Field)
Senior Triple Jumper, Maykayla Jackson has earned this honor, through her pursuits and voice on campus. She is an active member of BSAC (Black Student-Athlete Committee), whose mission is; “to create a safe space and advocacy channel for Black-identifying student-athletes at SMU”. Originally from Midlothian, Texas, Maykayla is consistently working to reach her personal and educational goals. She is majoring in Biological Sciences, conducting research with Professor Brewster, and has aspirations to go to medical school after she graduates in May 2025.
Keon Ambrose-Hylton (Men’s Basketball)
Keon’s journey to SMU wasn’t easy; originally from Ontario, Canada, his first stop in the US was Alabama University. He transferred to SMU in the Summer of 2022, and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Applied Physiology and Sports Management (APSM) in Spring 2024. He is furthering his education on the Hilltop, and is pursuing his Masters of Liberal Studies (MLS), expecting to graduate in 2025. Keon has been an active member of BSAC and LAB. This Fall, he has the second most community service hours logged by an individual SMU student-athlete at 11.25 hours. Come support Keon and SMU Men’s Basketball team (currently 3-0) this season! (Click here for Schedule)
A snapshot into traveling on the road in the ACC:
During the first week of the 2024 Fall semester, while most students were walking to their first class on campus, it looked a little different for the SMU volleyball student-athletes; who were on a plane traveling to Hawaii and San Diego for their first away tournament. Before they stepped into a class, they were walking on the court.
It’s no secret that the demands on a student-athlete are different than the average college student. There are early mornings, late nights, changing schedules, and traveling for competitions that take up an athlete’s “spare time”. In those small breaks, you can see the dedication shown by the athletes studying on the bus or plane, reading the in the hotel room, etc. Our Mustang Student-Athletes want to be the best at everything they do, so SMU Athletics partners with ADSA to ensure that academics are still prioritized even when they are traveling for competitions. The coaching staff “really value ADSA support and resources and make it a priority in the volleyball program” – Alana Owens, Senior Academic Counselor
More than Competition:
This trip allowed many of the volleyball players to experience Hawaii and Polynesian culture for the first time. While most away trips for student-athletes are scheduled to allow for the shortest travel time possible- to avoid missing classes, etc. On this trip, the team was able to experience several unique events including attending the Polynesian Cultural Center (see below)
When on the road, Alana Owens, the Volleyball Senior Academic Counselor, conducted mandatory academic study hall for all student-athletes on the team. This is to ensure that there is scheduled time dedicated to academics. “This group is very athletically and academically focused this semester; I am very proud of them for putting in the required road study hall hours through this busy road trip schedule” – Alana Owens. Of the 15 players on the team, 7 are graduate students pursuing programs in Cox and Simmons. These athletes are dedicated to pursing their degree while also having a record-breaking season in the ACC.
Come support this outstanding team at their next game on Friday, November 15, 2024 in Moody Coliseum in Dallas, TX.
Photography credit: FreeKey Three Creative Team
The ADSA would like to wish everyone a wonderful and safe Halloween! Every year, we participate in the Spooktacular S.P.I.R.I.T costume contest held by SMU Athletics. This year our selected theme was Space Jam! All your favorite Looney Tunes characters attended– even Gossamer made an appearance!
Happy Halloween!
Our 4 Mustang Champions for September highlight two upperclassmen and two freshman that embody the SMU Student-athlete experience and strive to be World Changers.
Mayu Inokawa
Mayu is a midfielder on our Women’s Soccer team and is no stranger to adversity. Originally from Japan, her journey as an SMU transfer student-athlete started with her acclimating to the Hilltop after spending time in the Midwest. Now as a senior, she has dealt with adversity this Fall soccer season but has not let it bring her down; she still persists through every day with a positive attitude and smile on her face. She has been just as supportive of her teammates during this season. She is extremely dedicated and hardworking student who takes advantages of the resources and opportunities provided in the ADSA and LAB events. She is a role model to all student-athletes, but especially her teammates!
Brandon Booker
Brandon, a freshman linebacker, has had a strong start to his academic pursuits at SMU! He has come into his first semester as natural leader. No only does he consistently show up early but he also encourages his teammates to always put their best academic foot forward. ADSA appreciates that he advocated for himself during his first semester regarding his academic goals, needs, and desires. We are excited to see his growth continue!
Sage Sungail
Sage is a junior on the Men’s Swimming and Diving team. He specializes in the freestyle and holds the conference record in 2024 for the 400 Free relay. Katie Evans, his ADSA academic counselor, had this to say about Sage, “ I’m incredibly proud of him for his dedication to both academics and athletics. As a Finance major, he’s challenging himself with a rigorous course load while also excelling on the swim team. His hard work in the classroom and in the pool is a testament to his commitment and drive. It’s inspiring to see him excel in both areas, and I’m excited to watch him continue to succeed.”
Emma Mehner
Meet Emma Mehner! She is a freshman rower who joined the Hilltop from Dresden, Germany in Fall 2024! She joined SMU to become a better coxswain, a type of rowing positon in which sits at the stern and steers the boat (learn more about coxswain here). Emma is already making strides towards success during her first semester. She started getting involved with the Life After Ball program, in her first few weeks here and has enjoyed the possibilities/opportunities it can provide. She plans on majoring in Business Management or Sports Management. It is great to see Emma’s dedication to her academic and personal development!
It’s easy to see why our Mustangs shine so bright when we have these four student-athletes leading the charge!
Dr. Teiana Jones, Senior Director of ADSA and Assistant Athletic Director of Academics, has promoted Keyana Smith, M.S., to Director of ADSA & Eligibility in October 2024. Smith joined the Hilltop in August 2023 as the Associate Director and lead Academic Counselor of Football. Since then, she has positively impacted the student-athletes and individuals she works closely with.
Keyana’s background has prepared her for this new role with 16 years of experience in academics; as she previously held titles such as the Assistant Director of Athletics Academic Services at the University of Mississippi. While there, she was responsible for the academic success of the Women’s Basketball and Football teams. She has a proven track record of providing individualized support and guidance to student-athletes, helping them balance their athletic commitments with their academic goals.
As a member of the ADSA leadership team, she is excited to further the ADSA’s mission in her elevated position. Keyana will continue to lead and supervise the academic support for Football as well as provide operational and key support in the unit.
Smith states “one focus will be improving processes to more efficiently serve our student-athletes. I am excited to further grow our campus partnerships and see continued success with increasing Academic Progress Rates (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), and overall student-athlete success at SMU”.
Join us in congratulating Keyana on this significant milestone in her career!
The Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA) program is committed to working with faculty to ensure student-athlete success at our university. Twice each semester, ADSA solicits feedback from instructors to align with key academic milestones like Early Progress Reports (EPRs), Mid-Term Progress Reports (MPRs), and the final withdrawal deadline.
What to Expect:
Collaboration for Student Success:
ADSA aims to provide early intervention and support for student-athletes facing academic challenges through this collaborative process. ADSA reports to Associate Provost Dr. Sheri Kunovich. Based on your feedback, you may also be contacted by a sport-specific ADSA counselor to discuss potential support options.
Thank you to our dedicated faculty for your continued partnership in supporting student-athlete success!
https://www.smu.edu/provost/saes/academic-support/student-athletes/about/contact