General News & Announcements – Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education & Human Development

Simmons Educators Recognized for Transformative Mentorship

Posted on December 16, 2025Updated: December 16, 2025

Two faculty members in SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development — Anthony Petrosino and Leanne Ketterlin Geller — have been selected for the 2025 Moody Outstanding Mentor Award, honored for their exceptional guidance of doctoral and postdoctoral scholars.

Petrosino, a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, was nominated by Mark Sager, Ph.D., assistant director of research at The Budd Center. Sager said Petrosino’s mentorship “transformed my development as a scholar,” noting that he “recognized the potential in my interdisciplinary background and empowered me to pursue community-engaged research.”

Sager also praised Petrosino’s student-centered approach. “What sets Dr. Petrosino apart is his ability to see possibility in every student and cultivate it,” he said. “His mentorship reshaped my research trajectory and continues to influence my work long after graduation.”

Ketterlin Geller, the Texas Instruments Endowed Chair in Education, was nominated by former postdoctoral fellow Yanjun Pan, Ph.D. Pan described her mentorship as “holistic, warm and powerful,” emphasizing that Ketterlin Geller treated her as a “colleague-in-training,” adapting her support as Pan advanced in her scholarship.

“She gave me full intellectual ownership from the beginning,” Pan said, adding that a defining aspect of Ketterlin Geller’s mentorship is her “dedication to advancing underrepresented perspectives.”

The Moody Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes faculty who demonstrate exceptional commitment to nurturing emerging scholars. This year’s honorees, colleagues said, exemplify the care, rigor and inspiration that shape the next generation of educational leaders.

SMU Simmons School’s APHM Program to Benefit from $60 Million O’Donnell Foundation Gift

Posted on December 12, 2025Updated: December 12, 2025

Southern Methodist University (SMU) is celebrating a transformative gift from the O’Donnell Foundation, a portion of which is specifically designated to create academic honors programs on campus. The Applied Physiology and Health Management (APHM) Bachelor of Science degree in the Applied Physiology and Sport Management Department at Simmons is one of the SMU programs designated to receive initial funding from the $60 million gift.

A major facet of the O’Donnell Academic Honors Fund is aimed at advancing academic excellence to recruit top talent and provide high-achieving students with a clear path to career success. As part of the initiative, 20 outstanding undergraduates in APHM will receive scholarships to support their SMU education and future goals in the career world.

According to Dean ad interim Michael Harris, the O’Donnell gift will make a life-changing difference in students’ lives.

“The O’Donnell Academic Honors Fund will create transformational opportunities for our APHM students,” Harris said. “O’Donnell Scholars will deepen their learning with powerful practical experiences to be ready to lead in health-related careers.”

As part of the program, O’Donnell Scholars will engage in major experiences such as research assistantships, industry internships, and other hands-on opportunities to learn more about health professions. The APHM major focuses on holistic fitness and health outcomes. Courses are formulated and presented around the central theme of evidence-based practices to prepare students for careers in physical therapy, athletic training, exercise physiologist, research scientist, physician’s assistant, and other health related opportunities.

“Our students understand whole-body human physiology at the intersection of science, medicine and health. This new honors program will empower them to apply that knowledge and accelerate their careers in health focused professions,” says Dr. Scott Davis, Associate Professor and Director of the Applied Physiology and Health Management major.

“We are incredibly grateful to the O’Donnell Foundation for this funding,” Harris added, “as it allows us to create an honors-style learning community that will provide O’Donnell Scholars with highly personalized, small-sized, high-impact courses that will result in these students not only making an impact at SMU but in their communities for years to come.”

ACC Awards SMU and Clemson Professors a Research Grant to Study Student-Athlete Online Abuse

Posted on December 8, 2025Updated: December 11, 2025

Dr. Bo Li, an assistant professor in the Simmons School of Education and Human Development at Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Dr. Kevin Byon, chair of the Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management, along with Dr. Sarah Stokowski from Clemson University, have received a $5,320 grant from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for a collaborative research project.

Their project, titled “Betting, Bullying, and Burnout: Examining Online Harassment from Sport Wagering and Its Impacts on Student-Athletes’ Wellbeing and Coping,” aims to explore the escalating issue of betting-related online abuse targeting student-athletes.

The rapid growth of social media has provided student-athletes with opportunities to enhance their marketability but has also increased their public vulnerability by exposing more of their private lives. With the widespread legalization of sports betting, online abuse has intensified. A 2025 NCAA report found that nearly one-third of student-athletes have received abusive messages from individuals involved in sports betting.

This new study will delve into how such abuse influences the lives and well-being of student-athletes and examine the coping strategies they employ to manage these challenges. Through interviews with 12 student athletes from the ACC, the research will shed light on this emerging form of abuse and help identify potential support systems that college sports administrators could implement.

Dr. Li will serve as the principal investigator (PI), with Dr. Byon as the co-PI. “From working with student-athletes, we have seen firsthand what they experience and the need for this research,” Li said.

Dr. Byon added, “SMU is thrilled to be part of the ACC, and research opportunities like this prove the advantages are not only beneficial in the realm of athletic competition but in the academic and research areas as well”.

The SMU and Clemson team is one of five new grant recipients for the 2025-2026 ACC-CRIA Innovation Initiative Small Grant Program, which awarded a total of approximately $25,000. The initiative funds research examining issues related to college athletics administration. Proposals from faculty and students representing 14 different ACC institutions were reviewed by ACC Faculty Athletic Representatives and ACC Athletic Directors.

The research project is scheduled to begin in January and conclude in October 2026.

Simmons alum, interns provide pro bono mental health support after deadly Texas flood

Posted on November 19, 2025Updated: December 3, 2025

Texans and others across the nation continue to grieve the 135 lives lost in the July 4, 2025, Hill Country flooding. Tragically, 27 of those who perished were young campers and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerrville. Hundreds of volunteers rushed to assist in the subsequent rescue, recovery and cleanup efforts.

Eve Wiley, a 2013 M.S. graduate of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Simmons counseling department, witnessed firsthand the tremendous need for psychological and emotional support for the survivors and families of those who died. Her son was attending a summer camp in the affected area, and she experienced the anxiety parents felt while waiting for updates. Her son escaped physically unharmed, but many others did not. As friends asked for advice on how to discuss the tragedy with their children, Wiley began sharing guidance on Instagram about supporting youngsters and families impacted by the flood. She quickly realized the horrific outcome had created a mental health crisis requiring immediate emotional assistance for many.

Wiley, the clinical director at The Housson Center in Dallas, decided to act. Her team already had a framework for community outreach and unanimously agreed to offer pro bono counseling for anyone affected by the floods. The Housson Center has a longstanding partnership with SMU as an approved internship site for counseling graduate students. Wiley noted the master’s level interns, who work alongside expert team members to provide therapy to children, teenagers and families across Dallas, did not hesitate to volunteer for the emergency counseling effort. Their service allowed the developing counselors to live out the mission of their profession and the SMU counseling department: to bring healing and hope during people’s hardest moments.

As of today, the group has provided more than 300 hours of free counseling to those impacted by the floods, an effort Wiley credits to the Housson Center’s partnership with the SMU counseling program.

Intern Callie Conner, a ’25 graduate, said she is honored to be involved. “In my classroom experience at SMU, I was trained to listen intently, show empathy, and provide safety through relational connection,” Conner said. “As I entered my internship at The Housson Center, I was provided supervision by Eve Wiley, and it was there that I learned counseling strategies and was able to hone my skills. In the midst of the floods, and the ever-changing situation, I had full access to and support from some of the best clinical professionals in Dallas.”

Camry Georgia, also a ’25 graduate and another intern, called participating in the program for Kerrville flood survivors one of the most meaningful experiences of her training. “What I’ve learned in the classroom and through my clinical training at SMU has been foundational in allowing me to show up effectively for survivors and families,” Georgia said. “I’ve deeply valued the opportunity to connect with my community, give back, and serve as a steady support for those navigating immense loss and uncertainty. This experience has profoundly shaped me as a clinician both personally and professionally.”

Wiley says the program will remain in effect for those currently being served as long as they need. Being able to offer the pro bono effort is indicative of the strength of the SMU Simmons counseling community.

SMU Sport Management Team Finishes Third in Challenge Cup

Posted on November 10, 2025Updated: November 10, 2025

Five sport management majors from SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development earned third place in the national finals of the Sport Business Journal National Sports Forum Challenge Cup Competition, marking the first time in the program’s three years competing that the team has advanced to the finals. The Simmons team lost to defending champion Deakin University in the final round.

Created in 2021, the Challenge Cup brings together students from top undergraduate sport management programs across the country. School teams virtually present cases based on a sports-related topic to a panel of sports industry professionals and academic experts.

This marks the third year SMU Simmons has competed, joining Washington University and Deakin University in the finals. Twelve schools in total took part in this year’s competition.

Each year, teams are presented with a new case study. For 2025, the client was the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), which challenged teams to develop a comprehensive and creative marketing campaign to boost awareness, engagement and viewership for the 2028 Solheim Cup.

Members of the 2025 SMU Challenge Cup Team are:

Matt Bloomenthal, captain
Lily Hewitt, presenter
Lily Podolsky, presenter
Aiden Millis, presenter
Dev Dondra, alternate

Team captain Matt Bloomenthal said the experience offered a valuable opportunity to apply classroom learning to a real-world challenge.

“Although the result we wanted wasn’t fully there this year, it was a huge confidence booster to see that our work was recognized by industry professionals at such a relatively young age,” Bloomenthal said.

Presenter Lily Hewitt agreed that the competition was an invaluable experience.

“While we didn’t get the exact outcome we hoped for, we gained something more valuable — the experience,” Hewitt said. “This project felt like real-world work, and I came away with the satisfaction that comes from working hard on something as a team.”

Peter Carton, director of the SMU Simmons sport management program, praised the students and their coaches, Ken Troupe and Sydney Hammit, for their outstanding performance.

“Finishing among the top three schools in such a highly competitive field is a remarkable achievement and a true reflection of their talent, hard work and professionalism,” Carton said. “This accomplishment is a tribute to their collective effort, creativity and dedication.”

Prophets at the Margins: Cooper Lecture Series Examines Faith, Housing and Justice

Posted on November 5, 2025

SMU students, faculty and staff gained a deeper awareness of the challenges faced by families and individuals experiencing homelessness during this year’s Cooper Peace and Justice Lecture, Prophets at the Margins: Faith, Housing and the Fight for Dignity.

The event, co-sponsored by the Simmons School of Education and Human Development and SMU’s Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life, featured four faith leaders from local congregations and nonprofit organizations serving people who are unhoused or at risk of losing housing.

Panelists included:

– Rev. Richie Butler, St. Luke Community United Methodist Church and Project Unity
– Bill Holston, Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center
– Heather Mustain, Wilshire Baptist Church
– Wayne Walker, OurCalling

Each speaker shared firsthand accounts of their work and reflected on how compassion, courage and faith inform their response to the growing crisis of homelessness.

Audience members learned that many people in North Texas struggle with basic needs and depend on food pantries and shelters for daily survival — and that it can take just one job loss, illness or deportation for a family to lose its home.

The Cooper Lecture emphasized that faith, justice and housing are deeply interconnected, and that moral courage begins close to home. Through the stories of advocates, pastors and community leaders, listeners came to understand that housing is not merely an economic or political issue, but a sacred one — rooted in dignity and belonging.

The panel revealed that charity alone is not enough; true transformation requires prophetic leadership that challenges systems while offering compassion. Attendees heard that faith communities can serve as catalysts for justice and healing, and that being “prophetic” means showing mercy in action, building relationships, advocating for equitable policy, and affirming that every person deserves not just shelter, but home.

In addition to the panel discussion, attendees viewed a pop-up art exhibit featuring works by SMU professor Willie Baronet, creator of We Are All Homeless, an ongoing art and social project that transforms cardboard signs from people experiencing homelessness into powerful visual statements on dignity and belonging. The exhibit also included Humanizing the Homeless, a series of black-and-white portraits by photographer Leah den Bok.

“It was a joy to collaborate with Simmons and Dr. Robinson-Doyle to reintroduce the Cooper Peace and Justice Lecture at SMU,” said the Rev. Lisa Garvin, SMU chaplain and minister to the university. “This year’s lecture highlighted the importance of charity and justice — caring for our neighbors and working for systems that support abundant life for all.”

Dr. Laura Robinson-Doyle coordinated and emceed the event. “The Cooper Lecture reminded us that the margins were never as distant as we imagined. They have always lived beside us, sometimes within us. Bringing this work into the light showed that being a prophet was never about standing on a mountain shouting truth; it was about standing in the everyday, loving well, noticing the unseen, and moving toward need with mercy. We were all called to be prophets, each of us capable of being the hands and feet of love in a world that often forgets how near our neighbors truly are.”

The lecture took place Oct. 23 in Frances Anne Moody Hall at SMU.

Hilltop Hustle brings SMU community together for fun and fitness

Posted on October 28, 2025

Fog may have blanketed campus early Sunday morning, but that did not stop the smiles—or the strides—at the 2025 Hilltop Hustle. From serious runners to moms pushing strollers and casual walkers, participants filled Doak Walker Plaza with energy and sunshine as they took part in this year’s 5K walk and run.

Simmons Dean ad interim Michael Harris was on hand to cheer on the crowd as students, faculty, staff and community members joined together for a morning of movement and camaraderie.

Presented by Exercise is Medicine and sponsored by the SMU Simmons Applied Physiology and Sport Management Department, Campus Recreation and the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center, the event drew 185 participants, the largest turnout in the three-year history of the annual celebration of fitness and community spirit.

Organizers emphasized that the Hilltop Hustle is about more than competition. “It’s a no-pressure 5K and an important event,” said Dr. Kristie Abt. “It’s one more way our Exercise is Medicine initiative encourages people to get outside, move their bodies and realize that exercise is not only crucial to good health—but can be fun too.”

Dr. Laura Robinson-Doyle agreed, adding, “It is important to give faculty, staff and students a chance to connect outside the classroom. Fresh air, fun and fitness are a great way to do that.”

Participants left the plaza energized and smiling, already looking forward to next year’s run —a Hilltop tradition that keeps the SMU community moving together.

SMU, Dallas ISD, and DFW Non-Profit Organizations to Explore ‘What Works Best in Education’

Posted on October 24, 2025

Nearly 75 researchers, educators, and non-profit leaders from across North Texas gathered for the second annual Consortium on Educational Research and Improvement (CERI) Conference, a joint effort which included Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD), and several non-profit community partners.

The conference focused on key topics such as college and career readiness, integrating literacy and STEM for early learners, and the impact of after-school programs on student achievement and attendance. Educators and researchers from SMU and Dallas ISD presented research and insights across a wide range of additional subjects. Community partners, like Big Thought, Read Up, Catch Up and Read, Dallas Afterschool, Jubilee Park and Community Center and Vickery Meadows Youth Development Foundation, presented research to share their findings on the effectiveness of funding high-quality non-profit organizations that provide services to children and young adults across the DFW Metroplex.

Dr. Annie Wright, a co-lead for CERI and executive director of The Addy Foundation Center on Research and Evaluation (CORE), said the goal of the event is to identify effective strategies to learn “what works best in education.”

“Some attendees and presenters work in the classroom, some work in educational research, and others work in community-based learning settings; this offers us an opportunity to learn from one another what works best across all of the places and spaces where students learn and develop,” Wright said.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Christopher Hu, assistant professor of social and cultural studies in education at the University of Alabama, spoke about rethinking the relationship between research and practice.

“Collaborating and learning to dialogue across different organizations and priorities is more important than ever,” Hu said. “The need to build relationships is essential so that all parties involved in a research project can communicate their different priorities and goals.”

Hu emphasized that research projects are more successful when expectations are clearly communicated and understood among all team members.

Dr. Larry Featherston, chair of the Dallas ISD Research Review Board, said the educators who attended helped make the conference a success.

“It’s a great opportunity to get people from different backgrounds together to build relationships and break down walls, which results in some very exciting collaborative work,” Featherston said.

SMU Simmons researcher will lead NSF-funded STEM teacher preparation project

Posted on October 15, 2025Updated: October 15, 2025

Dr. Jeanna Wieselmann of SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development is part of a $1.5 million National Science Foundation grant aimed at preparing preservice STEM teachers to effectively facilitate discussions of real-world science problems.

Wieselmann will serve as the principal investigator for SMU’s portion of the project, which totals approximately $243,000. The collaborative research effort, titled Comparing Preservice STEM Teacher Preparation Using Virtual Reality Artificial Intelligence Simulations Versus Peer Teaching, involves five universities: University of West Florida, Drake University, Kennesaw State University, Texas A&M University, and Southern Methodist University.

The four-year project will engage 250 undergraduate STEM education students through teacher preparation programs at the participating institutions. It focuses on developing effective strategies for teaching students about scientifically relevant real-world problems.

“This research is important because novice science teachers often lack strategies for facilitating effective classroom discussions of complex scientific issues,” Wieselmann said.

The project will use innovative training methods, including virtual reality simulations with avatar students controlled by artificial intelligence and scaffolded peer teaching, to provide multiple ways for future teachers to access learning experiences. It will also produce and disseminate new teacher training materials designed to support STEM learning.

Wieselmann adds, “By encouraging students to solve real-world problems, we believe the project will increase interest in STEM fields and provide evidence supporting the use of scientifically relevant real-world problems in teacher preparation programs.”

Award empowers Simmons faculty member to take poetry to city sidewalks

Posted on October 7, 2025Updated: October 7, 2025

Dr. Mag Gabbert, clinical assistant professor in Simmons’ Department of Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies (HCIS) and Dallas Poet Laureate, has launched the city’s first Sidewalk Poetry Project.

Gabbert, who was named poet laureate for the City of Dallas in April 2024, was also selected as one of the American Academy of Poets’ 2025 Poet Laureate Fellows. The academy announced in August it was awarding $1.1 million to 23 fellows across the United States. The fellowships recognize poets for literary excellence and support projects that engage communities through the power of poetry.

Gabbert’s Sidewalk Poetry Project is a poetry-centered public art installation in which poems written by Dallas residents will be stamped into freshly poured sidewalks in 28 locations across the city. She worked with the City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture to create a website that houses an informational video, instructions for residents to submit their work for consideration, and educational resources.

Gabbert says the creative initiative aims to transform everyday walks around the city into opportunities for reflection, imagination, and connection. In a recent KERA News story, Gabbert noted that poetry has the power to “help us grieve and celebrate, navigate nuance and complexity, and overcome failures of imagination.”

Simmons is proud that Gabbert is not only inspiring the students she teaches but is also enriching the cultural and artistic life of Dallas.

Interested poets have until 5 p.m. on November 7 to submit a poem for the project at https://dallasculture.org/sidewalks-poetry-project/. Entrants whose poems are selected will receive a $150 honorarium.

See the KERA story at https://t.co/NZCWxuarbg