Category: News

Categories
News Student Academic Engagement & Success

Looking Ahead to FY26: Staffing Updates in SAES

As we look ahead to FY26, we’d like to share a few upcoming staffing changes within the Division of Student Academic Engagement and Success. First, the search for our new SAES Coordinator is well underway. We’re grateful for the strong pool of applicants and the thoughtful participation of our search committee. We anticipate having someone in place by the second week of May and look forward to welcoming this new team member to the division soon.

We also want to share that Bailey Price, our SAES Business Manager, will be leaving the University this summer. Bailey takes great pride in the care, clarity, and strategic insight she’s been able to contribute to budget planning and process improvements across the Division. While she is excited for what’s ahead, she will miss being part of such a thoughtful and dedicated team. Her last day will be June 17.

Bailey’s departure comes as she completes her MBA from SMU’s Cox School of Business and prepares for an exciting new chapter in Buffalo, NY, where she will begin a new role that builds on the skills and experience she’s developed here. While we will certainly miss her, we are excited for what lies ahead and appreciative of the impact she’s made across SAES.

If you need training, documentation, budget analyses, or assistance with any current projects or financial processes, please reach out to Bailey as soon as possible to schedule time before her departure. She is eager to ensure a smooth handoff and help set everyone up for continued success.

In the coming days, we will launch a search for a new SAES Business Manager. The position is expected to post this week, and we hope to welcome someone into the role by early June. We look forward to identifying a strong candidate to carry this important work forward.

Any questions can be directed to SAESBusinessManager@smu.edu or to Lynne Siegel(lsiegel@smu.edu). Thank you!

Categories
News Office of Engaged Learning Office of Engaged Learning - Entrepreneurship Student Academic Engagement & Success

Big iDeas, Bigger Impact: Spring Pitch Competition Sets Stage for What’s Ahead

The Office of Engaged Learning held its first Spring Big iDeas Pitch Competition on Friday, April 11, where 10 student teams pitched their new idea to a panel of judges in 90 seconds.

Congratulations to the four winners of the Spring 2025 Pitch Competition:

Caroline Edgerton, Amigo

Sophia Vasylyeva, FocusPass

Travis Pryor, Focus Path

Yaw Boateng: InfoSavvy

You might be wondering why the Office of Engaged Learning is hosting a Big iDeas Pitch Contest in the spring semester instead of the fall. We are excited to share what is changing and why!

As Big iDeas program continues to evolve, we’re expanding our collaboration across the SMU entrepreneurship ecosystem— including The SMU Impact Lab, The Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and others. These strategic partnerships are helping us refine our focus: supporting students at the earliest stages of ideation and positioning them to move forward with confidence. Our goal is to guide students in shaping bold new ideas and prepare them to pursue advanced funding and specialized coaching through these next-level programs.

We are also embracing a new model for our pitch competition cycle. Instead of offering only one opportunity per academic year to pitch an idea, students will now have the opportunity to pitch an idea once in the fall and once in the spring semester.

Additionally, we are moving the Big iDeas Business Plan Competition to SMU Family Weekend! this exciting new timing gives us a chance to showcase our most advanced student ventures to a wider audience — including families, alumni, and the full SMU community.

A special thanks to our judges for this competition: Jake Batsell, Justin Childress, Jennifer Ebinger, and Marissa Heyl and the SMU Impact Lab for sponsoring an additional $500 award to Focus Path for having a creative social impact edge on their idea.

To learn more about the Big iDeas Program, visit us at smu.edu/bigideas.

 

Categories
News Office of Engaged Learning Office of Engaged Learning - Entrepreneurship Student Academic Engagement & Success

SMU Big iDeas Students Make Their Mark at ACC InVenture and TCU Values and Ventures

The start of April was a big one for SMU Big iDeas students, who showcased their ventures on two national stages of collegiate entrepreneurship.

At the ACC InVenture Prize Competition, hosted by the University of Notre Dame, the TIMIO News team – Josh Baier, Abbie Ellermeier, and JustusWoods – represented SMU as they pitched their venture alongside student teams from 12 other ACC universities.

Left to Right (Abbie Ellermeier, Justus Woods, Josh Baier)

Josh Baier (’24), CEO and Founder, said, “My favorite part of the ACC InVenture was meeting a community of young entrepreneurs. It was incredible to meet other people my age living through the same ups and downs of the entrepreneurship cycle.”

Abbie Ellermeier, Lead Designer, said, “My favorite part was seeing all the innovative ideas the other groups presented. It was so fun to be around so many bright, young minds all trying to make the world a better place.”

Justus Woods, Lead Campaign Manager, said he enjoyed “getting to meet so many world changers who wanted to make a positive impact in the world. Their creativity and perseverance was incredibly infectious.”

Back in Texas, Senior Jude Lugo and Junior Ryland Robb took the stage with 41 other finalist companies from all over the world at the TCU Values and Ventures Competition in Fort Worth to pitch LectureLogger, an app that tracks attendance and promotes student wellness for colleges and universities. 

Left to Right (Ryland Robb, Jude Lugo)

Lecture Logger had an exceptional showing at the competition. After pitching in the lightning rounds, they advanced to place in the top quarter of participants over the weekend.

Judges praised the team’s strong engagement, confident delivery, and clear grasp of both the facts and the business model. The pitch was visually compelling, and both presenters brought a sharp, business-focused approach.

They also recognized Lecture Logger’s broad value for students – supporting wellbeing and academic success – and, interestingly, highlighted its specific relevance for student-athletes as a cost effective way to track attendance and ensure NCAA compliance.

A big congratulations to all of our Big iDeas students making their mark all across the country!

Categories
News Office of Engaged Learning Office of Engaged Learning – Research Student Academic Engagement & Success

Undergraduate Research Poster Session during Research and Innovation Week

SMU’s Research and Innovation Week 2025 will take place Monday, March 31-Friday, April 4. The week includes a series of presentations, panels and poster sessions showcasing student and faculty contributions.

The Undergraduate Research Poster Session will take place Tuesday, April 1, from 2-5 p.m. in the Moody Hall Atrium. Prizes are awarded for the Top 3 posters overall. We hope you will stop by to support the undergraduate researchers presenting!

2025 Undergraduate Poster Session Presenters

For additional information and full list of events, visit the Research and Innovation Week site. The SMU community and the public are invited to attend all events.

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

We are excited to announce the launch of SMU’s Global Career Accelerator

Student working with employer

Beginning in Summer 2025, SMU will offer undergraduate students the opportunity to gain real-world experience, develop in-demand skills, and enhance their intercultural competency through the Global Career Accelerator, a virtual internship program placing students on international teams to work on client-driven projects. 

Through this program, students will:  

  • Collaborate with peers from over 50 countries in an internship-style experience. 
  • Bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application through innovative capstone projects. 
  • Work on projects for top global companies like Intel, The Grammys, and Amazon. 
  • Earn 3 internship credits while developing critical industry skills. 
  • Engage in Global LiveLabs and interactive coursework designed to enhance intercultural communication and professional development. 

The program is open to all SMU students, with no prerequisites required. The flexible format ensures Mustangs can gain internship experience and enhance their career readiness while balancing academic and personal commitments.  

To learn more about the Global Career Accelerator program through Podium Education and its benefits, visit careeraccelerator.smu.edu.  

Categories
News Office of Engaged Learning Office of Engaged Learning - Entrepreneurship Student Academic Engagement & Success

SMU’s Top Entrepreneurs are Heading to the ACC InVenture Prize Competition

Some of SMU’s best and brightest innovators are set to represent the Hilltop at the ACC InVenture Prize Competition this April – an innovation competition where undergraduate teams from each ACC university pitch their inventions or businesses for the chance to win $30,000 in prizes for their company.

This year, SMU will be represented by TIMIO News, a set of AI tools that identify fake news and recommend articles with different viewpoints, empowering users to navigate the news media landscape with confidence. The team is led by Founder and CEO Josh Baier ’24 (left), alongside Campaign Manager Justus Woods (middle), and Lead Designer Abbie Ellermeier (right). The team was selected after winning an internal SMU pitch-off at the beginning of January.

This year will mark SMU’s second year competing in the ACC InVenture Prize Competition. In 2024, SMU was represented by SteadiSpoon, founded by Raleigh Dewan (’23) and VP of Operations Mason Morland (’24).

Stay tuned to follow TIMIO’s journey as they represent SMU on a national stage! You can download TIMIO now as a mobile app or chrome extension. More details to come on how to stream the live event and vote for People’s Choice Team on Wednesday, April 2nd.

 

Categories
Honors and Scholars News Office of Engaged Learning Office of Engaged Learning - Entrepreneurship

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Big iDeas Business Plan Competition

The Office of Engaged Learning held its annual Big iDeas Business Plan Competition on Friday, February 14 where 11 student teams pitched their business plan to a panel of expert judges in 4 minutes.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 competition:

Justus Woods, Abbie Ellermeier, and Josh Baier, TimioNews

Jude Lugo, LectureLogger

Wade Hunter, Sandra

Amar Khoja, Jonathan Zanzuri, Dorm Room Cleans, Inc.

Benjamin Omoregbe, InternSurf

Special thanks to our judges Carson Gibbons (Founder of DallasMeetup), Jenica Oliver (CMO of Blueprint Marketing Group), Michael Kelly (Chief Strategy Office at Mozee), and Dr. Sara Rana (VC & Investor Relations, Capital Factory).

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

Pathways to Careers in Management Science

Students sitting at table with notebooks.

As we dive into the Spring 2025 term, we’re excited to announce an upcoming event that will help connect current students with accomplished alumni: Pathways to Careers in Management Science Lunch and Learn. This event will take place on Wednesday, February 19th, from 12-1pm, and will feature five SMU alumni who have navigated their way into successful careers in management science: Lily Anderson, Sophie Fernandez, Hayden Hodes, and Elizabeth McPherson. These alumni will share their experiences in the field, providing valuable insights into how their education at SMU helped shape their careers and the variety of roles that exist for management science graduates. 

Management Science is a field that offers a unique combination of analytical thinking and practical problem-solving.  Sophie Fernando ‘23 shared what drew her to the Management Science major:

“We learned about process mapping and statistical modeling and operational efficiencies among many other things— all of which could be applied to see very tangible results of improvements in whichever organization we chose to join after graduation.”

This focus on hands-on, real-world applications is one of the key features of the program at SMU.  

Dr. Eli Olinick, Associate Professor in the Department of Operations Research and Engineering Management, highlights another crucial aspect of majoring in the Lyle School of Engineering:

“The Lyle Accelerated Pathways gives students the opportunity to earn a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in 5 Years. Students are encouraged to start exploring this option during the spring of their sophomore year.” 

Whether you are a current student, prospective student, or someone interested in exploring the possibilities within management science, this Lunch and Learn is the perfect opportunity to hear firsthand how these professionals applied their education to make a tangible impact in their organizations. 

To learn more about the PBI initiative, feel free to reach out to pbi@smu.edu. 

Categories
News Office of Engaged Learning Student Academic Engagement & Success

Seeking SMU-entrepreneurs to sell or demo at the Big iDeas Marketplace

Marketplace vendor talking with customer.

The Office of Engaged Learning invites all SMU-affiliated entrepreneurs to sell their products, demo their apps, share brochures, etc., at the Big iDeas Marketplace on Friday, February 14th, from 10am-1pm.

If you have a business, no matter the size, we encourage you to participate in the event. We are still accepting applications from SMU faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Fill out the application form to reserve a table.

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

Pathways to Business and Industry Spring 2025 Events

SMU Pathways to Business & Industry logo

 

 

The Pathways to Business & Industry initiative offers a full slate of spring programs in collaboration with campus partners. These opportunities are designed for students interested in exploring business and industry careers while pursuing a major in another field. Students can register for events through SMU360.

Social & Networking Events
PBI Scholars Welcome Social
Enjoy free tacos, meet other students and faculty, and learn about resources available on campus.
– Thurs, Jan 30, 2-4 PM, Clements Hall Scholars Den

TGIF Lunch in the Scholars Den with PBI
Come have lunch and meet other students and staff in the PBI program.
– Fri, Feb 21, 12-1 PM, Clements Hall Scholars Den

Workshops, Trainings & Panels
Pathways to Careers in Management Science 
Learn what a B.S. in Management Science can do for your future from a panel of recent SMU alumni. Lunch provided. Co-hosted with Lyle School of Engineering.
– Wed, Feb 19, 12-1 PM, HTSC Chamber

Introduction to Business Research 
Learn to use Mergent Intellect, IBISWorld, and Factiva to investigate companies and the industries they operate in. Co-hosted with Duda Family Business Library.
– Tues, Feb 18, 11AM-12 PM, Fondren Library 110

Degree Planner Workshop
Get help using SMU Degree Planner from your Peer Academic Leader (PAL).
– Thu, Feb 27, 2-3 PM, Fondren Library 109

Stepping Blocks Workshops
Learn how to use the Stepping Blocks Digital Career Counselor as a tool to guide your career path forward.
– Tuesday, March 4, 12:30-2:30 PM, Online
– Tuesday, April 15, 12:30-1:30 PM, Online

Advising & Mentorship
PBI Coffee Chats
We’re here for you! Enjoy some coffee or tea and have a one-on-one chat with PBI staff.
– Schedule anytime by e-mailing pbi@smu.edu

PBI PAL Office Hours
Have questions? Want to learn more? Meet with your PBI Peer Academic Leader (PAL) Tiffany Nguyen.
– Mon, Feb 3, 1:30-3:30 PM, Clements Hall Scholars Den
– Tues, Feb 4, 12:30-2:30 PM, Clements Hall Scholars Den
– More dates to come. Check schedule on SMU360.

PBI UAC Advising
Receive one-on-one advising with a PBI University Advising Center advisor.
– Workshop: Mon, Mar 10, 3-4 PM, Hughes-Trigg 227
– PBI Drop-in Advising: Mon, Mar 31, 2-4:30 PM, Blanton 408F
– PBI Drop-in Advising, Mon, April 7, Clements Hall Scholars Den
– PBI Drop-in Advising, Mon, April 9, Online