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University Testing Center

University Testing Center Open House scheduled for January 25

The University Testing Center (UTC) is back open for Spring 2023!

We will be hosting an open house from 2-4pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 in our office G15 in the basement of Clements Hall to welcome students and faculty back to campus. Catering will be provided as well as information regarding the policies and practices of the UTC.

Learn more about how the University Testing Center can support you and join us in celebrating the start of a new semester.

Happy 2023!

Categories
University Testing Center

University Testing Center final examination hours of operations

The University Testing Center’s hours of operation will change for final examinations to accommodate an increased need for testing services.

Our facility and office will be open from 7:30am-7:30pm, with testing hours of 8:00am-7:00pm. This schedule will begin December 8th and conclude December 14th, with our center only closed on Sunday, December 11th through this period.

In summary, testing hours will be expanded to 8:00am-7:00pm on weekdays with the addition of Saturday. The center will be open 7:30am-7:30pm during that same schedule. You can view these updates on our website, smu.edu/testing.

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First-Generation Initiative

First-Generation Association to host pre-professional series

First-Generation Association (FGA) is a student organization for first-generation college students and supporters of first-generation college students. FGA is hosting a pre-professional series for students interested in the pre-med track.

Join them at 5pm on November 1 in Hughes-Trigg Student Center rm. 209 to learn about available resources for pre-med students!

FGA was established during the spring of 2020; Their mission statement is as follows:

First-Gen Association is an educational organization which exists to foster a community of people interested in all aspects of being a first-gen student, or connecting with students who qualify as such; promoting students, creating a community at SMU that welcomes students from different backgrounds, connecting and creating partnerships with other first-gen students in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Students can RSVP via Connect.smu.

Categories
First-Generation Initiative

Show your first-gen pride: First-Gen Fest

Mark your calendars for First-Gen Fest, SMU’s celebration of National First-Gen Day! First-Generation Initiative will host its third-annual First-Gen Fest on November 8, on Dallas Hall Lawn.

First-Gen Fest is for first-generation students, faculty, staff, and supporters of first-generation students wanting to celebrate their special day with them. Food/drinks will be provided while students have the opportunity to connect with faculty/staff, students, organizations and campus resources!

Faculty, staff and students can RSVP via SMU Connect.

 

Categories
First-Generation Initiative

Yellow September: First-Generation Initiative spotlights suicide prevention month

It’s National Suicide Prevention Week/Month, also known as Yellow September. The First-Generation Initiative would like to highlight campus and national mental health resources.

If you are looking for a sign, this is it. You matter. Your life matters. If you need support or someone you know needs support, resources are available.

SMU Mental Health Resources:

  • SMU Counseling Crisis Intervention: 214-768-2277, select Option 2
    • Speak to an on-call counselor 24/7
  • SMU Counseling Services Continued Care Support: 214-768-2277
    • All SMU students are eligible to receive free services at the counseling center, regardless of insurance

National Resources:

  • Suicide Crisis Center: 214-828-1000
  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
  • Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, press Option 1
  • Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
    • The Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer-support service for trans and questioning individuals in crisis. All operators are trans-identified.
  • Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
    • The only national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ young people under 25
  • TrevorText: Text START to 678678
    • A free, confidential service in which LGBTQ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention.
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
    • Crisis-intervention hotline that conducts conversations exclusively by text message 24 hours a day.
Categories
First-Generation Initiative Hilltop Scholars Mustang Scholars Rotunda Scholars University Honors Program

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

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.

Categories
University Testing Center

University Testing Center welcomes new Testing Assistants

The University Testing Center welcomes to its team three (3) new Testing Assistants: Cossy Ogburie, Matt Swigart, and Anku Upadhyay.

These Testing Assistants will work alongside the Testing Manager and Coordinator in preparing testing rooms, materials, and equipment for test administrations according to individual requirements and accommodation guidelines. Testing Assistants will also proctor online and conventional pen/paper tests.

Cossy says, “I enjoy doing volunteer community service which taught me how important it is to help others. It’s a habit I continue to practice and have used to help build positive relationships. I am a big fan of travelling and love taking pictures. I am that person that reads every ingredient list on skincare product before any purchase. Hey there buddy, SMU! I am happy to be here, and Dallas, my home away from home!”

Matt adds, “I came to SMU after performing with the Marine Band while in NC. I love to read, play saxophone, and travel during my free time. I would have to say my favorite place I had the opportunity to visit was Athens! I have had a great time so far at SMU and look forward to spending the next couple of years here completing my studies.”

Anku greets, “Nameste! I am a Master’s Student in SMU Guildhall Game Design & Development course. I like to read literary fiction. I also enjoy trekking and trying new cuisine. Not typically at the same time. My passion for learning has brought me to SMU, and I am excited to meet people from here, there, and everywhere.”

We are glad to introduce you to the team as we jump into the new semester!

Categories
First-Generation Initiative Mustang Scholars

Cesar Quezada joins SMU as the inaugural director of Mustang Scholars and the First-Generation Initiative

Student Academic Engagement & Success (SAES) is excited to announce Cesar Quezada as the inaugural director of Mustang Scholars and the First-Generation Initiative effective August 29.

Quezada brings his experience with first-generation students, cohort-based mentorship programs, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and undocumented students to the Hilltop. He is a first-generation college student and DACA recipient originally from Durango, Mexico who earned a degree in psychology from Texas A&M University-Commerce.  In his previous roles, he has been the associate director of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Division at Creighton University and assistant director for the Multicultural Center at the University of North Texas.

When asked about what he is most excited about, Quezada remarked “I am very excited to get to campus and begin working with everyone in order to start to impact students as soon as possible. The opportunity to get to work with Dr. Grabsch, the Mustang Scholars, and the large group of first-generation students is what has led me to take this opportunity.”

Quezada’s platform as a higher education professional gives him the advantage to incorporate both the student perspectives and needs into this overall work which includes teaching others what they can do in order to help and better serve first-generation student communities at their institutions. Since his undergraduate years, he has also been a part of various professional associations where he has presented at state and national conferences, among them the NatDC’s Diversity in Leadership Conference, NCORE, Excelencia in Education, and participating in Men of Color Consortiums hosted by Project Males out of the University of Texas at Austin. He also has received national recognition for his work from Excelencia in Education.

Please join us in welcoming Cesar Quezada to the SAES team!

 

Categories
First-Generation Initiative

First-Generation Initiative to host Welcome (Back) Reception

First-Generation Initiative was established in 2019 to support first-generation college students on campus. The initiative will host its first-annual reception on August 25 in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center Varsity.

The Welcome (Back) Reception is for new and returning first-generation college students and supporting faculty/staff. Food and drinks will be provided while students are given opportunities to make connections and learn about resources.

Faculty, staff and first-generation students can RSVP via SMU Connect.

Categories
First-Generation Initiative

First-Generation Initiative publishes refreshed and expanded website

The First-Generation Initiative (FGI) published a refreshed website (smu.edu/firstgen) for the SMU community on August 13. Just in time for the new academic year, the refresh expanded web-based resources and new features including:

Faculty and staff are encoruaged to direct students to the first-generation initiative via smu.edu/firstgen. Feedback and recommendations of additional resources/scholarships are welcome; please email firstgen@smu.edu.