The academic year may be over, but we’re still here, weekdays from 8:00 to 4:00!
Student-athletes and students with DASS-approved accommodations can schedule tests for summer courses in the UTC Portal. Or, if you’re interested in CLEP testing for select academic courses, we can help with that, too. Visit our website for more information or contact us at universitytestingcenter@smu.edu and we’ll be happy to assist.
Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA) sincerely appreciates your ongoing partnership in supporting our Faculty Feedback Request process. Your feedback plays a vital role in helping student-athletes stay on track academically. We are grateful for your continued cooperation!
Summer 2025 Faculty Feedback Request Timeline
Below is a timeline of the Faculty Feedback Requests for student-athletes enrolled in summer courses:
New! Single Sign-On (SSO) Enabled for Teamworks
Teamworks now supports Single Sign-On (SSO), making it easier for faculty to access and complete grade checks. Please follow the steps below to complete your submission:
How to Complete a Grade Check Using SSO
Teamworks Help Guide – How to Access and Complete a Grade Check
Your input has a direct and meaningful impact on our student-athletes’ academic success. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Through this collaborative process, ADSA is committed to helping every student-athlete finish the semester strong.
Faculty with current student-athletes enrolled in their courses will receive these feedback requests directly from ADSA@smu.edu. A sample of the email can be found below.
ADSA is grateful for the support and collaboration with OIT during this transition!
April brings four new student-athletes to celebrate their academic achievements this month! Our Mustang Champions are chosen by their dedication to academic excellence and athletics. Meet the April Mustang Champions:
Hensley Humphries (Equestrian)
Hensley doesn’t just clear fences with grace and precision as a Jumping Seat competitor in Equestrian; this senior, originally from Austin, Texas, also leaps to remarkable heights in her academic pursuits. Setting a high bar for herself and her fellow student-athletes, she’s not only earned the BBA Scholar and Provost Scholar but also a member of the University Honors Program. She has consistently achieved the Honor Roll with High Distinction an impressive six times. Truly embodying the spirit of a Mustang Champion, Hensley has impressed her Senior Academic Counselor, Desmond Grayson, who is “extremely proud of her for maintaining a flawless 4.0 GPA throughout her first three years. She approaches every challenge with a meticulous plan, often having a plan A, plan B, and even a plan C! Hensley consistently gives her all, no matter the obstacles she faces.” She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the Cox School of Business, with an emphasis in Finance.
Ofek Shimanov (Men’s Tennis)
Ofek, a determined midyear international transfer and true freshman, has navigated his arrival at SMU and the United States with remarkable poise. His transition has been multifaceted, learning and adapting to a new country and college life, but also diving straight into the Men’s Tennis season. Just two weeks into the academic term, Ofek journeyed to Lithuania to proudly represent Israel at the prestigious Davis Cup. ADSA Senior Director, Dr. Teiana Jones shared that Ofek, “demonstrated exceptional foresight, he proactively engaged with the ADSA to thoroughly understand academic expectations before his departure.” This included an intensive introduction to CANVAS and essential academic resources, equipping him to seamlessly continue his coursework while competing internationally. Throughout his time abroad, Ofek maintained consistent communication with his peers and the ADSA support team, readily addressing any questions or needs that arose. Ofek is off to a truly impressive start to his academic journey at SMU. Adding to his achievements, he recently delivered his very first speech in English – a significant milestone he tackled with immense effort and preparation, resulting in an outstanding performance.
Sydney Japic (Women’s Soccer)
Sydney, a driven senior transfer, from Alabama has made a dynamic entrance on the Hilltop. She is striving for a degree in Economics with a minor in business and is on track to walk the stage in the Spring 2026. Sydney’s impressive work ethic has already paved the way to a coveted summer internship at Henry Schein, where she’ll gain experience in the world of medical device sales. Lexi Williams, her Academic Counselor, has noted “Sydney’s exceptional drive and her ability to leverage the wealth of resources available at SMU.” Learn more about Sydney here.
Zion Nelson (Football)
Zion, a graduate offensive line transfer from Miami, has been intentional and motivated at SMU this Spring. He’s strategically tapping into the full arsenal of resources offered by the ADSA and LAB, demonstrating a deliberate approach to forging meaningful connections within both the SMU and the Dallas community. He was selected as a VIP Dinner nominee this month and attended the Career Interest Talk (CIT) with Don Goldstein in April. Even though this event was a casual gathering, Zion’s sharp professional attire spoke volumes about his inherent professionalism and intention. He is currently focused on earning his Master’s in Liberal Studies, and on track to celebrate his graduation in the Spring of 2026.
These four Mustangs are no joke; they exemplify the drive, dedication, and boldness it takes to be a SMU Student-Athlete and compete at the highest level!
The ALEC would like to announce the recipients of the Ben Thomas Award for Excellence in Tutoring. This years recipients are Lauren Figura and Anh Khoa Nguyen. Congratulations for all your hard work this semester!
On behalf of the Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA), we want to extend our sincerest gratitude to the outstanding SMU students who are completing their SMU degrees in Spring 2025 and have served as invaluable members of our team in various roles. We extend a heartfelt congratulations and thank you to these SMU Graduates!
We deeply appreciate the significant contributions each of you has made to supporting the ADSA mission. The peer academic support you provided has been invaluable, not only to the student-athletes you assisted but also in fostering your own professional growth and development. We are confident that the skills and experiences gained through this work will truly set these graduates apart in their future endeavors.
Congratulations to:
Ana Rizo
Danny Discenza
Jason Zhang
Kaylee Dorough
Parisha Goyal
Rakesh Venkat
Viktoriya Kuchina
We hope you will keep in touch as you embark on your next chapters! Thank you all for your time, dedication, and commitment.
Congratulations on this momentous achievement – we are incredibly proud of each and every one of you! We hope you truly maximize this special time of celebration!
Dr. Teiana Jones
Senior Director of ADSA and Assistant Athletic Director for Academics
The ALEC would like to congratulate 10 tutors that have gone through the extra hours of training to become CRLA certified tutors. CRLA is a program designed to ensure tutors have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively support students. SMU has been a CRLA certified school since 2024 and is one of 300 schools in the US to have this international designation.
The tutors that have attained this certification are Abdullah Saifee, Anastasia Shyvilka, Aditi Brahmbhatt, Emmanuel Nworie, Pamela Gonzalez Barrios, Sofia Hueck, Avantika Chapagadikar, Jatin Yadav, Zaid Ghazi, and Faith Bellamy. We look forward to having these tutors use their acquired skills next semester!
March 2025 Mustang Champions
Every year, the Spring symbolizes the Earth’s resilience and focus on continued growth and development for our exemplary student-athletes, who’s dedication to enhancing their individual skills, improve and inspire their teammates/peers, and give back though encourgaing engagegment in the Dallas community. This month, we are celebrating Mustang Champions that have strived to invest in themselves and their future personal development. Stangs are always leading the Charge!
BJ Edwards- Men’s Basketball
BJ Edwards, a senior point guard, has embodied what it means to be a Mustang Champion. A starter for the Men’s Basketball team, BJ has shown commitment to his academics by his ability to communicate and advocate for himself in the classroom; “Watching BJ grow in his academic confidence and accountability has been truly inspiring. He tackles challenges head-on and approaches difficult assignments with a calm willingness. BJ maintains the best quality of a life-long learner, and that is his curiosity. He’s a champion this month and always, stated Samantha LoCoco, ADSA. He is on track to graduate with a degree in Sports Management in the Spring of 2026.
Hedda Kvalvag (Track & Field/ Cross Country)
Meet Hedda, a standout triple jumper and All-ACC honoree. She has made a remarkable impact at SMU, both on and off the field. Originally from Olso, Norway, she has overcome the challenges of adjusting to a new country, culture, and academic system with resilience and grace. A natural leader, Katie Evans, Senior Academic Counselor, added that, “Hedda approaches everything she does with kindness, determination, and a strong sense of purpose. As a dedicated student-athlete, she continues to impress with her growth, resilience, and the way she carries herself both in the classroom and on the track.” She is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and is on track to graduate in Spring 2026. She brings energy and enthusiasm to the classroom while inspiring her teammates through her work ethic and integrity. She consistently strives to do the right thing and be her best in everything she takes on, making her a powerful example of what it means to be a Mustang Champion!
Jentry Lamirand (Volleyball)
Jentry, a senior, was the sole captain of SMU’s Volleyball team. In Fall 2024, she made the ACC All-Academic Team. Athletics shared that she participates in Life After Ball and will be leading Team Impact. Jentry will be graduating in May 2025 with her B.B.A in accounting from Cox. Her Senior Academic counselor, Alana Owens, highlights Jentry’s character, “an amazing individual on and off the court. She is an example of a true leader for the young ladies on the volleyball team and a constant support to her peers. She is pursuing a master’s in accounting starting in the Fall”. Jentry will complete her bachelor’s degree in 3 years; we look forward to supporting her throughout graduate school.
Zakye Barker (Football)
Junior transfer, Zakye Barker has made a significantly positive impact since his arrival on the Hilltop this Spring. As a linebacker, he isn’t just making plays; he’s covering the whole field by building connections with teammates, staff, and faculty across campus. Majoring in Psychology, he takes the same approach on or off the field with equal passion, leading by example. Faculty members consistently commend his active participation and engagement in class, noting his diligent approach to notetaking. He serves as a positive influence on his peers. Keyana Smith, ADSA Director, is impressed with Zakye effective communication, timely completion of responsibilities, and shares he is consistently respectful and professional. He is one to watch out for!
Alexa Taylor, Director of Disability Accommodations and Success Strategies (DASS), invites you to experience MeSpace, an adaptable study space thoughtfully designed to support focus, sensory needs, and overall student well-being:
“In response to growing demands for inclusive and flexible campus environments, SMU, through a collaboration with the DASS office, Hughes-Trigg Student Center, and SMU Libraries, is testing out MeSpace, a plug-and-play, sensory-friendly study space – just in time for Autism Acceptance Month.
Designed for both Neurodiverse and Neurotypical students, MeSpace offers a space to enhance focus, reduce distractions, and manage sensory exposure, creating an ideal environment for studying and collaboration.
We invite SMU students, faculty, staff and guests to experience this innovative, sensory-friendly space at two convenient locations on campus:
The exhibit will be open for 6 weeks, now through the end of the spring term, providing an opportunity to experience the future of sensory-friendly strategies on campus.
On April 16, we will be hosting a Pop-Up Demo from 1-2 p.m., and immediately following the Pop-Up, we encourage all interested stakeholders to attend a roundtable discussion in the H-T Chamber from 2-3 p.m. We welcome your feedback to help us explore future collaborations with MeSpace.”
The Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA) appreciates the faculty’s participation and cooperation in supporting our Faculty Feedback Requests. The second round of Faculty Feedback will be sent out on Monday, April 7th and will include all student-athletes. Faculty with current student-athletes enrolled in their courses will receive these feedback requests directly from ADSA@smu.edu. A sample of this email can be viewed below:
Faculty Feedback Request #2 Timeline:
April 7: Teamworks Feedback Request opens
April 21: Teamworks Second Feedback reporting period closes
Please note: This authentication process is a temporary measure for Spring 2025 only. ADSA is working with campus OIT to implement Single Sign-On (SSO) for Teamworks access this summer. We understand this adds an extra step, but it is necessary to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the feedback process while we transition to SSO.
For detailed guidance and visual demonstrations of this update, please consult our faculty member grade check help center guide:
https://help.teamworks.com/academics/s/article/Access-and-Complete-a-Grade-Check
Your feedback is incredibly valuable and has a significant positive impact on our student-athlete’s academic outcomes. Thank you to our supportive faculty for your continued partnership in assisting with student-athlete success. Through this collaborative process, ADSA aims to ensure that the student-athletes finish the semester strongly!
The Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA) would like to highlight the hard work of our employees and the work that they do daily to positively impact the student- athlete’s lives that they work with. We are thrilled to highlight three staff promotions and announce a new Academic Counselor. ADSA and the student-athletes appreciate all of their contributions!
Lexi Williams – Academic Counselor
Lexi Williams, recently transitioned from a Literacy Specialist to Academic Counselor. She continues to expand her impact in ADSA. Lexi came to the Hilltop in Summer 2024 from Georgia Tech, where she was an Athletic Academic Advisor for various teams including Women’s basketball, Women’s tennis, and Softball. Lexi embraces the opportunity to work with different teams and individuals. For Lexi, the most rewarding part of her role is witnessing the development and personal growth of the student-athletes she supports. Her adaptability and genuine care make her a tremendous asset to our team and we are excited to watch her grow!
Leeann Oland – Office Manager
For 14 remarkable years, Leeann Oland has been a cornerstone of the ADSA department. In her elevated position, Leeann will continue to oversee several programs, student workers, while elevating her operational and fiscal responsibilities. She approaches her role with a warm smile, greeting every student-athlete with enthusiasm and a commitment to building meaningful relationships. Leeann is an invaluable part of our ADSA and SMU community. We celebrate her incredible tenure and consistency she brings to the ADSA every single day.
Desmond Grayson – Senior Academic Counselor
Desmond first joined SMU in 2023, as an Academic Counselor working with Football and Equestrian. In 2025, he was promoted to Senior Academic Counselor, serving the same teams. In this elevated position, Desmond is also taking on additional ADSA specific programming oversight. His commitment to fostering academic and personal growth ensures that every student-athlete he works with feels supported along their journey at SMU. Desmond’s work embodies the spirit of teamwork and excellence.
Kelsey Smith – Senior Academic Counselor
Kelsey recently promoted from Academic Counselor to Senior Academic Counselor in January. She has quickly embraced her new role as with enthusiasm and a drive to connect with her new teams. Previously, she worked with Men’s & Women’s Soccer, and Rowing. As a Senior Counselor, she will work with Football, Men’s Tennis, Men’s Golf, and oversee other internal ADSA programming. She had this to say about the future, “I’m really looking forward to getting to know even more student-athletes and getting to support them through their academic career at SMU. It’s been so fun attending practices and games to learn more about my new teams and their culture”.
Congratulations to Lexi, Leeann, Desmond, and Kelsey!