February brings many things, and among them is SMU’s Transfer Student Appreciation Week! UAC Transfer Advisor Dee O’Banner is leading the charge this semester with multiple events designed to share some Hilltop appreciation, treats, and info with SMU’s transfer students! Students, staff, and faculty are all welcome to attend!
RSVP now on SMU360!
The Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) and University Advising Center (UAC) have started preparing for the Spring 2025 Success Fest, which will take place on February 26th from 11:30am-1:30pm in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center, Ballroom C. Success Fest is an event dedicated to the promotion and adoption of Degree Planner.
As stated on the university’s academic calendar, undergraduate students are required to update and complete their Degree Planner before the March 1st deadline.
Students can expect a To-Do message on their my.SMU Student Dashboard that will prompt them to complete their Degree Planner. Undeclared students will be asked to plan through the semester after their major declaration, and declared students will be asked to plan to the semester of their graduation.
Students will also receive a message through the Message Center with more information about the Degree Planner deadline, Success Fest, and upcoming Degree Planner workshops offered by the PALs and UAC.
Students, staff, and faculty can refer to the Office of General Education’s SMU 360 event page for details about the February Degree Planner workshops. Alternatively, staff and faculty can request a PALs Degree Planner workshop on a date and time that is more convenient.
Students who show proof of a completed Degree Planner can enter Success Fest, however, students can also complete their Degree Planner on the day of the event. RSVPs to Success Fest are encouraged via SMU 360, but walk-ins are welcome.
The University Advising Center welcomes Anthony Cesario as the new office coordinator. Anthony joined the University Advising Center on November 11th during the peak of Spring 25 enrollment and has hit the ground running!
Born and raised in Coppell, Texas, Anthony graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in American Studies in December of 2023. Prior to joining SMU, he has held various customer service roles and was a summer camp counselor. Anthony enjoys listening to music, writing, exploring parks and nature trails, and binging Buffy the Vampire Slayer whenever possible. He is very excited to work in the realm of higher education.
Please join us in welcoming Anthony to the Hilltop and the UAC!
The University Advising Center is pleased to share that Gerralynn McKenna is continuing her work in our office as our newest Academic Advisor. She has gracefully stepped in to her new role and advising students for Fall 24 and beyond.
Before her new position, Gerralynn came to SMU in June of 2023 to serve as Coordinator for the UAC. Prior to her time at SMU, she taught elementary special education for 4 years, and moved to Dallas from Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband. She continues to enjoy hiking, being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and reading. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome to her new position!
The Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) and the University Advising Center (UAC) concluded Success Fest on September 26th. Success Fest is an event dedicated to the adoption and use of Degree Planner among undergraduate students.
In the weeks leading up to Success Fest, the UAC hosted 3 Degree Planner workshops with a total of 27 attendees. The PALs hosted 4 Degree Planner workshops with a total of 55 attendees. The PALs also offered 1-1 appointments in Blanton Suite 338, and helped 60 students complete their Degree Planner.
These efforts proved successful as there was a significant increase in the use of Degree Planner from September 13th until September 26th. Some data points include:
The PALs and UAC will host Success Fest again in Spring 2025 on February 27th, encouraging students to complete and update their Degree Planner before the March 1st deadline.
The Office of General Education and the University Advising Center (UAC) will be hosting their semesterly event, Success Fest, on September 26th from 11:30am-1:30pm in Laura Lee Blanton rooms 108/110.
Success Fest is an event dedicated to promoting usage and adoption of Degree Planner among undergraduate students. The event was first held in Spring 2024, and resulted in 1,938 students using Degree Planner over a month long period.
Students can enter Success Fest by showing proof of a completed Degree Planner or by completing Degree Planner on the spot during the event. The event will have games, raffles, a crafting station, and free food. RSVP’s are encouraged via SMU 360, but walk-ins are welcome.
The deadlines to complete Degree Planner are now on the SMU academic calendar, with an October 1st deadline for the fall semester and March 1st deadline for the spring semester.
Advisors from the UAC and the Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) will be hosting Degree Planner workshops in the coming weeks before the October 1st deadline. Students can also book a 1-1 appointment with a PAL in Blanton suite 338.
Staff and faculty are also welcome to stop by Success Fest, and are encouraged to promote the event to undergraduate students.
The University Advising Center has made some new additions to our staff this month. Veronica Gutierrez and Amy ‘Ricki’ Ward joined us just in time for the holiday season cheer.
A native Texan, Ricki is a 2002 graduate of Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in both History and Psychology. She then earned her Texas Teacher Certification via LeTourneau University’s Post-Baccalaureate Educator Certification Program. She began her career as a teacher at Dallas Academy, where she specialized in creating and implementing personalized curriculum for students with learning differences. Most recently, Ricki taught 4th grade math and science in Garland ISD, and was awarded 2022-23 Teacher of the Year at Dorsey Elementary in Rowlett. She lives in Rowlett with her husband, Tony, her two teenage children, Bailey and Jake, and her black lab, Charlie. Ricki is a lifelong Texas Rangers fan and avid reader, and recently began volunteering as a camera operator for Explore.org. Her email is arward@smu.edu and her office number is (214) 768-6835.
Veronica Gutierrez joins the University Advising Center after spending 29 years in public education as an elementary school teacher and counselor. Veronica graduated from Paris Junior College and Southwest Texas State University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She also received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Veronica was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and has always loved the beauty of the SMU campus. She is very excited to start this new journey. Her email is vgutierrez@smu.edu and her office number is (214) 768-6836.
Please join the University Advising Center in welcoming our two new advisors to the Hilltop!
The University Advising Center is very pleased to share that Ben Mandelbaum has joined us as our newest Academic Advisor! Ben joins us after spending 7 seasons as a college basketball coach. In his most recent position, he coached the Alcorn State University Men’s Basketball team to the 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship. Ben is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he received his Bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he received his Master’s degree in Exercise Science. New to Dallas, Ben has enjoyed exploring the Dallas area by visiting museums, attending shows, and taking in sporting events. In his free time, Ben likes following his favorite sports teams, traveling to the beach, and listening to podcasts.
His email is bmandelbaum@smu.edu and his phone number is 214-768-6790. Join us in welcoming Ben to the UAC and to SMU!
We are pleased to announce that Michelle Gaunt has joined the UAC as our newest Academic Advisor.
Michelle is a proud SMU alumnus with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English Literature and Composition. She has taught at secondary schools in Dallas ISD, Austin ISD, and universities in Texas and Arizona. She is dedicated to promoting art and literature in public education through PTA committees, community outreach programs, and other channels, and also co-authors contemporary women’s fiction. She is excited to return to the Hilltop!
Michelle will carry a generalist caseload of advisees. Her email is mgaunt@smu.edu and her phone is x8-2815. Please join the University Advising Center in welcoming her!
The University Advising Center is pleased to share that Gerralynn McKenna has joined our office as our newest Coordinator! Gerralynn comes to SMU after teaching elementary special education for 4 years. She recently moved to Dallas from Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband . She enjoys hiking, being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and reading. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome to SMU!