Exceptional scholar leaders were celebrated at the annual Simmons Outstanding Alumni and Student Awards Ceremony on May 15.
The exemplary students were honored at a reception and dinner in Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall. They were each presented with their awards by Dean Stephanie Knight and their Department Chairs.
Ellie Lewis received a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physiology and Health Management from Applied Physiology and Sport Management. She is described by faculty as a driven scholar, dedicated SMU rowing athlete, and natural leader. As president of the Applied Physiology Club and a multi-semester Anatomy Teaching Assistant, she became a trusted mentor to her peers. Ellie has also completed prestigious internships at Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical School demonstrating her strong commitment to academic excellence and professional growth.
Sonja Mugnier is the Counseling Department’s outstanding student. Sonja is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Counseling with concentration in children and adolescents. She is the President of the SMU Department of Counseling Play Therapy Association, Co-Chair of the Mentorship Committee and Secretary for Chi Sigma Iota, Sigma Mu, and is also active in the state and national professional counseling organizations. Her internship involved providing counseling and play therapy services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. Upon graduation she plans to pursue the Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist credentials, and her long-term career goals are to pursue a doctorate in counselor education.
Tim Linley received his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. His professors in Education Policy & Leadership describe him as an outstanding scholar and educational leader. They say his intellectual curiosity and thoughtful insights set him apart and make him an exceptional student. Beyond the classroom, Tim took a bold step in founding a company, Cadenza Strategy Group, to provide strategic data management services tailored specifically to fine arts educators. He hopes that with what he has learned at SMU and through his company he will make a strong impact, both locally and at state-wide levels.
Isaac Pearson, a member of the SMU Mustangs football team, received his Master of Liberal Studies with a concentration in Organizational Dynamics in the Department of Human Centered Interdisciplinary Studies. A talented athlete, Isaac came to SMU Football from Australia. His faculty advisors say he brings a human-centered perspective to even the most difficult class discussions on complex societal issues. They describe him as a model student-athlete with a thoughtful and balanced countenance. Isaac received his coaching certificate and has been nominated to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs National Honor Society.
Maricela León was named the outstanding student in the Simmons Ph.D. program and graduates with a Doctor of Philosophy. Her faculty advisors say her research speaks for itself in that she already has five publications, including one first-authored journal article and four co-authored pieces. Aside from that impressive publication record, she authored three dissertation papers she just defended. Maricela is described as an amazing researcher, collaborator, a talented and hardworking educator, a role model to her peers, and a rising star in bilingual education. She will join the University of Texas at Arlington in the Fall as an Assistant Professor of Bilingual STEM Education.
Hannah Galbreath was named the Outstanding Student of the Year in the Department of Teaching & Learning. Faculty advisors say Hannah consistently demonstrated leadership, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to excellence by submitting high-quality work ahead of deadlines, always engaging, and posing thought-provoking questions in class. Hannah’s dedication to implementing research-based science teaching practices and her thoughtful approach to understanding teacher education pathways have made a significant impact on her peers and instructors alike. Hannah now prepares to begin her Ph.D. at SMU and hopes to continue to make meaningful contributions to the field of science education.
