Category: University Honors Program

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Honors and Scholars Office of Engaged Learning Office of Engaged Learning – Research President’s Scholars Student Academic Engagement & Success University Honors Program

Research & Innovation Week, April 1-5

Flyer for Research & Innovation Week: Showcasing discoveries, igniting change. April 1-5, 2024

Research & Innovation Week is happening next week! As part of RIW, The Office of Engaged Learning is excited to showcase the outstanding research and projects being done by SMU undergraduates across campus.

The Undergraduate Poster Session will take place Tuesday, April 2, 2-5 p.m. in the Moody Hall Atrium.  Prizes are awarded for the Top 3 posters overall, and the best poster in each school will be recognized. You can also vote for your favorite poster during the session for the Fan Favorite award. We hope you will come by to check out their posters, hear their presentations, and support these exceptional Mustangs!

The week is filled with panels, workshops and more. Visit the Research & Innovation Week website for event details and registration links.

  • Monday, April 1: Kick-off Event and Centers & Institutes Panel, 8am-12 PM
  • Tuesday, April 2: Undergraduate Poster Session, 2-5 PM
  • Wednesday, April 3: Graduate Poster Sessions, Dedman College graduate programs at 9 AM-12 PM, All other graduate programs and postdoctoral scholars at 2-5 PM
  • Thursday, April 4: Lunch & Learn: Navigating through the Research Labyrinth, 11:30AM-12:30PM
  • Thursday, April 4: Keynote Talk: Keivan Stassun, Director of the Frist Center for Autism & Innovation and Stevenson Professor of Physics & Astronomy at Vanderbilt University, 5 PM
  • Friday, April 5: SMU Faculty Innovation Day, 8 AM – 3:45 PM
  • Friday, April 5: MFA Qualifying Exhibition: “To Feel, To Mend, To Be”, 2-5PM in the Pollock Gallery

 

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Office of Engaged Learning Office of Engaged Learning – Research Student Academic Engagement & Success University Honors Program

Interview with Paige Edwards, Engaged Learning Fellow

headshot of Paige Edwards, Engaged Learning Fellow

One year ago, Paige Edwards, a student studying Film and Human Rights, was able to travel to Hawai’i because of a scholarship awarded by the Human Rights and Honors Program where students learned about social justice issues. Paige connected to one of the bus drivers, Leina Fisher on this trip. Fisher is a Native Hawaiian woman working in the hospitality industry but who dreamed of starting her own business. Paige and her fellow students decided to help her out to make Makali’i – Fisher’s educational tour business catering to people interested in Hawaiians culture and history. This experience inspired her project Re-Imagine Paradise: The Impacts of the Illegal Annexation of Hawai’i and Tourism on Native Hawaiians. The project focuses on “how tourism is a consequence and a complicity of colonial and illegal annexation of Hawai’i.” 

A significant aspect of this project was that Paige had to collaborate with other students and professors. Last summer, Paige was in McNair Scholars Program SRI course which provided her with a good foundation to write research papers. Paige also leaned on other research students by running ideas by them to help improve her paper and she often contacted her faculty mentor Brad Klein when needing help. 

This project is not only a passion for Paige now but impacts her long-term goals of going to law school where she wants to focus on serving underrepresented communities. Her “interests in human rights and law have not only shaped [her] research, but also the kind of work [she] likes to produce.” For right now though, Paige is producing a documentary film called Kanaka Driven Tours which “focuses on the impacts of tourism on Native Hawaiians and will educate viewers on ethical traveling.” Make sure to keep an eye out for it to learn more about the tourism industry in Hawai’i and how there is so much more to it than what meets the eye! 

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Academic Center for Excellence Academic Devleopment of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies First-Generation Initiative Hilltop Scholars Mustang Scholars National Fellowships Office of Engaged Learning Office of General Education President’s Scholars Rotunda Scholars SMU in Four Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs Student Success & Retention University Advising Center University Honors Program University Testing Center

SEAS units begin migration to new SMU-branded web pages

In partnership with the Office of Information Technology, Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES) began migrating unit websites to the new SMU-banded web pages.

As part of the brand migration, the SAES Marketing, Communication, and Digital Technology committee worked with unit webmasters to assist with a site content refresh (e.g., text, pictures, layouts). The committee recommended reorganizing navigation and pages based on Google Analytics data of high-traffic pages. As part of the process, broken links, spelling, SEO optimization, SMU web governance, and site navigation are also being addressed. Finally, professional headshots and employee biographies will be added over the summer.

Beginning with the SAES main navigation in late May, all units will be migrated over the course of the summer and early fall terms.

Last week, the following unit websites were completed:

Scheduled to migrate on or around the dates listed below will be:

  • June 23:
    • University Testing Center
    • University Advising Center
  • July 21:
    • Academic Development of Student-Athletes
    • Office of Student Success and Retention
  • August 11:
    • Student Academic Success Programs
    • Office of Undergraduate National Fellowships
  • September 1:
    • University Honors Program
    • First-Generation Initiative
    • Scholars’ Den
  • September 22:
    • President’s Scholars
    • Rotunda Scholars
    • Mustang Scholars
    • Hilltop Scholars

Please pardon our dust during this transition. If you discover broken links or issues, please direct them to academicsuccess@smu.edu to be routed appropriately. The next communication on the webpage migration will be once all SAES units have been completed.

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Academic Center for Excellence Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center First-Generation Initiative Hilltop Scholars Mustang Scholars National Fellowships Office of General Education President’s Scholars Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs University Advising Center University Honors Program

Writing Center is open Summer 2023

SMU’s Writing Center in the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (A-LEC) is open this summer from June 1 – July 31!  Appointment times are:   

  • Mon – Thurs 2:30-5 (in person at the A-LEC)
  • Tues & Thurs 4-6:30 (ZOOM)
  • Fri 2:30-4:30 (in person at the A-LEC);  Sun 5-8 (ZOOM)     

Book an appointment with a Writing Center Faculty Member in Canvas.

 

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Office of General Education SMU in Four Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs University Advising Center University Honors Program

Undergraduate students incentivized to complete Degree Planner

Yesterday, SMU in Four sent email communications to undergraduate students on the Common Curriculum regarding Degree Planner from smuinfour@smu.edu. Student communications were staggered – with tailored communications being sent to declared major students and pre-major students.  

Copies of the communication is below. 

January 18, 2023 

Dear Students – 

Use the new Degree Planner tool, located on your my.SMU Student Dashboard, to plan your path to graduation! This new tool will help you plan not only your upcoming semester, but all courses you will take throughout your college career.    

All undergraduate students on the Common Curriculum (CC) are required to complete Degree Planner by 03/20/2023. [Declared Majors] As a declared major you will complete your degree plan for all declared degree programs and CC requirements prior to Fall 2023 enrollment to avoid enrollment delays. [Pre-Majors] As a pre-major you will complete your degree plan for all CC requirements (Foundations, Breadths, Proficiencies & Experiences) prior to Fall 2023 enrollment to avoid enrollment delays.  

Complete it early for a chance to win some fantastic prizes! The sooner you complete your degree plan, the more raffles you are entered into. Raffle prizes include $25-50 Starbucks, Amazon, Uber, and Visa gift cards. You can also win SMU swag such as baseball caps, sweatshirts, hoodies, and more! Students who complete Degree Planner by 11:59pm on:  

  • January 27 (Friday) will be entered in three raffles.  
  • February 10 (Friday) will be entered in two raffles.  
  • March 10 (Friday) will be entered in one raffle.  

Visit smu.edu/degreeplanner for help getting started or watch the student dashboard video below

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Faculty and staff communications regarding Degree Planner were sent on Friday, January 13th. As promised, Records Offices and advisors will receive email templates to use to encourage student completion in the following weeks. 

Faculty and staff advisors who have the most students complete Degree Planner by the priority deadline of March 20, 2023 will win a $100 Amazon gift card. 

Any questions, comments, and/or concerns can be directed to SMU in Four. 

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President’s Scholars Student Academic Engagement & Success University Honors Program

Dr. Angela Jeon-Huh joins SMU as Assistant Dean for Scholars Programs

Dr. Angela Jeon-Huh joins Southern Methodist University (SMU) on December 5th as the Assistant Dean for Scholars Programs within the Office of the Provost. As the Assistant Dean for Scholars Programs, Dr. Jeon-Huh will work closely with campus colleagues to support the academic and personal success of the Hunt Scholars and President’s Scholars programs at SMU.

Before joining SMU, Dr. Jeon-Huh served as the Director of Global Programs at Pennsylvania State University. In this role, she oversaw the operations and services of the Office of Global Programs. These services and programs encompassed international agreements, study abroad programs, international students’ compliance policies, faculty-embedded programs, and curriculum development. In addition to her role as the Director of Global Programs, Dr. Jeon-Huh also served as a faculty for the following interdisciplinary courses: Global Studies and American Government.

Dr. Jeon-Huh has extensive experience in the work of Student Affairs. She served for five years as Drexel University’s Assistant Dean of Students (serving approximately 26,000 students) and Director of International Students and Scholars Services (serving around 5,000 students, faculty, and staff). In this role, she managed student crises cases, Student Conduct appeals, as well as supporting the development of academic success strategic planning for all undergraduate students. She also served as the principal designated school official for Drexel University’s foreign national employees and international students.

Dr. Jeon-Huh is an active member and a presenter for the Association of International Educators, NAFSA, Academic Impression, AI, and The Global Community for Academic Advising, NACADA. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Politics and a Master’s degree in Leadership Development at the Pennsylvania State University, and completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management at Drexel University. Her dissertation focused on undergraduate international student onboarding, specifically ways to improve the cultural and academic adjustment period.

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First-Generation Initiative Hilltop Scholars Mustang Scholars Rotunda Scholars University Honors Program

AT&T Data Science Scholars lunch and learn on September 21

A flyer with the title "AT&T Data Science Scholars Lunch & Learn". The lunch and learn is on Wednesday, September 21 at noon in Hughes-Trigg Student Center Chambers.

The First-Generation Initiative is excited to spotlight the AT&T Data Science Scholars program at an upcoming Lunch and Learn. The AT&T Data Science Scholars program is an eight-week program followed by an eight-week paid internship!

To learn more about this amazing opportunity, join the First-Generation Initiative for lunch and learn on September 21 at noon in Hughes-Trigg Student Center Chamber (lower level). All scholars and honors programs are welcome to join. RSVP on Connect.SMU to save your seat.

The program is actively recruiting students who are:

  • Current juniors (graduating December 2023 or after)
  • Seniors on accelerated pathways
  • Graduating seniors who will be immediately entering a graduate program
  • Current graduate students

Questions about the AT&T Data Science Scholars program can be directed to Terry Teague (tlteague@mail.smu.edu). Questions concerning the lunch and learn event can be directed to 1stgen@smu.edu.

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Mustang Scholars President’s Scholars University Honors Program

Now accepting applications for the Assistant Dean for Scholars Programs

SMU is excited to share an open position, the Assistant Dean for Scholars Programs, is live on the SMU Staff Career Portal. Please consider, share with your offices, and post within your professional networks.  

About the Position: The Assistant Dean for Scholars Programs (HR Title Associate Director 2) is responsible for the operations, strategy, and recruitment for two of SMU’s central Scholars programs: the President’s Scholars Program and the Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Programs.  The Assistant Dean manages these two distinctive programs in their entirety—from the scholars’ point of application to the University, through graduation, and into the alumni experience.  Working closely with scholars from both programs, the Assistant Dean will plan, orchestrate and supervise ongoing programming as well as the limited teaching of courses integrated into the experience.  With a focus on leadership, the Hunt Leadership Scholars Program involves shaping the scholars into engaged leaders, while the President’s Scholars Program has its strongest focus on creativity, innovation, and academic pursuits.  In addition, this position will collaborate closely with faculty mentors assigned to the programs, as well as other key campus offices that support leadership development, new student transitions, retention and the academic excellence goals as stated in the SMU in Four.  The tracking of student involvement, academic progress, and providing support, when necessary, will be of central importance.  The Assistant Dean will also supervise the Director of the Mustang Scholars Program and First Gen Initiatives.  Candidates must have a master’s degree but a terminal degree is preferred.  The candidate must be very detail oriented, and have a passion for working with students, fostering intellectual discourse, and becoming fully engaged in the larger SMU community. 

Deadline to Apply: October 1, 2022. Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by September 15, 2022. 

A collaborative search committee comprised of SAES members, student affairs, admissions, and faculty advisors will be formed in the coming weeks to review applications, conduct virtual and in-person campus interviews, and make a recommendation for hire. We are targeting a November 1 start date. 

Please contact Dean David D. Doyle if you have any questions. 

 

Categories
University Honors Program

Meet the SMU student who is an international dinosaur origami champion

Travis Nolan, an SMU paleontology student who makes origami dinosaurs to visualize what certain dinosaurs might have looked like in the prehistoric era, poses for a photo while holding a origami dimetrodon in the SMU Heroy Science Hall Monday, July 11, 2022, in Dallas, TX. (Juan Figueroa / Dallas Morning News Staff Photographer)
Travis Nolan, an SMU paleontology student who makes origami dinosaurs to visualize what certain dinosaurs might have looked like in the prehistoric era, poses for a photo while holding a origami dimetrodon in the SMU Heroy Science Hall Monday, July 11, 2022, in Dallas, TX. (Juan Figueroa / Dallas Morning News Staff Photographer)

See original publication in The Dallas Morning News, published 7:00 AM on Jul 27, 2022.

Travis Nolan is a Dedman Scholar and in the University Honors Program. If you’ve seen little origami figures in the Scholars’ Den Conference Room, they’re one of Nolan’s creations.