We are excited to announce that Josh Beaty has been appointed as the new Director of the University Advising Center, effective April 4, 2025. In this role, Josh will oversee advising for both pre-major and declared students in select majors within Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, and Meadows School of the Arts.
Josh brings over a decade of advising experience to this position. He began his career at SMU in 2014 as an academic advisor and was later promoted to Assistant Director.
While many of us know Josh as a dedicated and collaborative colleague, he also has a rather unique extracurricular portfolio. He owns the fourth-largest pog collection in the lower Midwest, once attempted to traverse the Texas Panhandle on a Segway (until the battery gave out), and was originally cast in the role of Sebastian in La La Land—until producers decided they wanted someone who could “sing,” “dance,” and “look more like Ryan Gosling.”
If you haven’t already, please join us in congratulating Josh on his new role. We look forward to working with him in this exciting new chapter.
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 
