THE EMIS DAC

The EMIS Distinguished Advisory Council (EMIS DAC) at Southern Methodist University (SMU) is comprised of CIOs and executives from Fortune 500 companies, global professional services firms, premier health care systems in the U.S., and other leading corporations with operations reaching beyond Texas into competitive world markets. 

Distinctive Members

Membership on the DAC is by nomination or invitation only. Since its founding in 2007, the Council has brought into affiliation during its two terms—the Inaugural and the Centennial—corporate and diplomatic representatives committed to the University’s mission to prepare students to “excel in their professions in an emerging global society.” Current membership includes the CIO for the State of Texas; His Excellency Francisco Villagrán de León, former Ambassador of Guatemala to the United States; and individuals of distinction from the following corporations:

Role of the DAC

To position Southern Methodist University as the recognized destination university for Engineering Management, Information, Systems, and Operations Research education defines the role of the Distinguished Advisory Council. It actively engages the community both on and off campus to honor SMU’s heritage as a private university renowned for engaged learning that cultivates the liberal mind.

Looking toward the future, the DAC observes that customer needs are changing. Higher education faces many challenges both internally (enrollments, scholarships, research funding, programs/course offerings, collaboration with industry) and externally (technological trends, globalization, competition, higher tuition costs). To continue its competitive edge, America needs to focus on IT leadership and management that promotes strategic thinking, effective communications, and relationship building—all of which are crucial skills of successful 21st Century change agents.

The EMIS DAC understands these requirements and envisions solutions that will bring to life a Virtual Leadership HUB to foster technical experts conversant in business, law, art, history, ethics, economics, international trade, cultural diversity, and other real world topics. Enriching education through multidisciplinary experiences that intersect in the world of the modern leader, the DAC serves as a partner to the EMIS Department and a voice for education in contemporary society.  With a broad systems perspective and an in-depth understanding of operations and people, the CIO, CTO, CEO, CFO, and CMOs of the future will contribute to the nation’s distinction building upon the disciplines of a diverse education and a mindset for leadership and sustained success in challenging times.