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Hilltop Scholars Honors and Scholars Student Academic Engagement & Success

Hilltop Scholars Program Senior Spotlight

Nearly four years ago, I, a simple fellow from Pennsylvania, arrived at SMU armed with no small amount of anxiety, self-doubt, and dubious writing skills. Though the transition was jarring, the Hilltop Scholars Program provided both an effective path to academic enrichment and an invaluable sense of community and belonging throughout that challenging first year and beyond. Indeed, I met my best friend during an HSP service event.  I learned to improve my writing through the tough but constructive criticism characteristic of my professor for both semesters, Dr. Krogh (who is also HSP’s director). She excelled at rewarding hard work while also spurring us to continue refining our writing. These argumentative and academic writing skills I learned in HSP classes have proven to be vital over the past three years. I remain deeply involved with the Hilltop Scholars Program as its Writing Mentor, guiding students to write papers on the same texts and themes and develop the same skills as I did. For this privilege I am grateful to Dr. Krogh, whose faith in my abilities convinced me to take on the mentorship role and boosted my confidence immeasurably.

Outside of HSP, I have pursued a major in Real Estate and minors in Latin and History. I am the treasurer of the 3D Printed Prosthetics club. Last semester, the Latin department awarded me the McLamore Scholarship, which is particularly gratifying after nearly a decade of studying the language. Now, I am preparing to graduate and go on to law school. Venturing alone 1,500 miles to Texas forced me far outside my comfort zone. It was a gamble that paid off.  I will miss SMU and Dallas, but I am eager to continue my education.

 

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Hilltop Scholars Rotunda Scholars Student Academic Engagement & Success

Now accepting applications for the Assistant Dean of Academic Transitions (HR Title: Associate Director 2)

Colleagues,

David Doyle and I are excited to share that a new position, titled Assistant Dean of Academic Transitions, which 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 of Academic Transitions (HR Title: Associate Director 2) is responsible for establishing the strategy for academic engagement and success of undergraduate students during their first year at SMU.  The position develops and executes unique programming for new students to prepare them for their academic transition to SMU. The person in this role will supervise the Directors of the Hilltop Scholars Program and the Rotunda Scholars Program.  In addition, this person will collaborate closely with faculty and other campus offices that support the transition to SMU; aligns programming and outreach with the stated goals of SMU in Four; plans and implements intentional programming with the university advising center, student academic success programs, office of general education, and the school records offices. The position facilitates university-wide initiatives such as strengthening faculty-to-student mentoring, shared reading experiences, and campus lectures. A key portion of the job is to work with other offices and academic departments to provide high-impact academic engagement and continuous monitoring, tracking, and support to improve academic outcomes at the end of the first year for new and transfer students.

Deadline to Apply: Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by September 30, 2022.  The position is open until filled.

A collaborative search committee comprised of SAES members, student affairs, and admissions, 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 December 1 start date.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sheri

Sheri Kunovich

O: 214-768-1285

Email: kunovich@smu.edu