News

Professor of practice Jim Hart in glasses and a newsboy cap

Innovating Impact: Jim Hart Honored with George Ellis Award for Excellence in Innovation

Arts Management and Nonprofit Leadership Corporate Communication and Public Affairs CCPA professor Jim Hart is recognized by Social Venture Partners Dallas for his forward-thinking leadership that bridges the arts, entrepreneurship, and social impact to drive meaningful change.

April 09, 2026

Senior Spotlight: Jess Silverstein

Students Journalism Our first senior spotlight of the May 2026 graduating class is fashion media major Jess Silverstein, who will kickstart her career as an Assistant Buyer for Burlington in August.

April 06, 2026

One female ballet dancer poses between two male ballet dancers on stage in costume

Division of Dance Launches Pilot Program to Expand Arts Access for Young Audiences

Events Dance A new initiative will bring North Texas K–12 students to campus for live performance, hands-on learning and a full day of artistic exploration.

April 02, 2026

Music alum Neeki Bey poses in a black shirt against a black background.

Alumni Spotlight: Neeki Bey

Alumni Music Music alum Neeki Bey (M.M. ’07) has built a career spanning performance and production, drawing on his Meadows training to lead creative work on national stages.

March 30, 2026

Meadows on the Mic: Brianna Woods – Theatre M.F.A. and “Ragtime”

Alumni Music Theatre Meadows alumna Brianna (Bri) Woods discusses her time in the Theatre M.F.A. program and playing a lead in the upcoming production of “Ragtime.”

March 23, 2026

Alumni Spotlight: Veronica Pesantes

Alumni Art History Art history alum Veronica Pesantes (B.A. ’94) turned the critical thinking and cultural perspective she developed at Meadows into a global career in the arts.

March 23, 2026

Four members of the cast of Ragtime stand in costume in the street

A Shared Stage: SMU Meadows and Dallas Theater Center Unite for “Ragtime”

Events Theatre A landmark collaboration between the Division of Theatre and DTC brings students, alumni, and professionals together in a sweeping musical that signals a bold future for theatre in North Texas.

March 20, 2026

TCA students flip through fashion magazine archives in the DeGolyer Library.

Fashion Media Program Hosts Local High School Students for a Day of Sustainability, Styling and Fashion Exploration

Campus Journalism Archival research and hands-on workshops with Fashion Media professors introduced students from Trinity Christian Academy to the creative and critical sides of the fashion industry.

March 18, 2026

Meadows on the Mic: Saniha Aziz Chakravarthy – Lead Communications Director, USAA

Students Corporate Communication and Public Affairs CCPA alumna Maria Murad interviews Journalism alumna Saniha Aziz Chakravarthy about her career in the communications industry.

March 09, 2026

Creative Computation alum Makayla Alston poses in a navy blouse and black frame glasses against a gray background

Alumni Spotlight: Makayla Alston

Alumni Creative Computing Creative Computation alum Makayla Alston (B.A. ’25) applies her interdisciplinary Meadows training to support large-scale events at Dallas Market Center.

March 09, 2026

teal background with outline of a white piano and piano player

The Cliburn Announces 20-Year Partnership With SMU and Dallas Symphony Orchestra for International Competition for Young Pianists

Music Applications are now open for the fourth edition of the event, for pianists aged 13 to 17, taking place June 9–19, 2027, in Dallas, Texas, with Sa Chen as jury chair.

March 06, 2026

Alumni Spotlight: John Paul Green

Alumni Theatre Theatre alum John Paul Green (B.F.A. ’12) built a successful TV career before bringing the creative freedom and collaborative spirit he discovered at Meadows to classrooms across LA as a theatre educator.

March 02, 2026

Violin student Daria Oleinik poses with her violin in a black dress outside

Violin Student to Represent SMU at Prestigious MTNA National Competition

Music After advancing through a competitive regional round, Meadows student Daria Oleinik will showcase her artistry on one of the nation’s most prestigious student music stages.

February 25, 2026

Meadows on the Mic: Elizabeth Stringer – Game Development at SMU Guildhall

Faculty Art Director of Academics of SMU Guildhall Elizabeth Stringer discusses the new B.A. in Game Development launching Fall 2026.

February 23, 2026

Alumni Spotlight: Jolie Guz

Alumni Advertising Advertising alum Jolie Guz (B.A. ’18) built the foundational skills at Meadows to prepare her for design work at a global brand.

February 23, 2026

colorful patchwork quilt design displaying the words "from soul to sole" the title of the conference

Dance Faculty Present, Teach at International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance

Dance Professors Michelle N. Gibson and Alvon Reed shared their artistry and scholarship at the 36th annual event, hosted by the International Association of Blacks in Dance in Atlanta.

February 20, 2026

Alumni Spotlight: Darian Taylor

Alumni Corporate Communication and Public Affairs CCPA alum Darian Taylor (B.A. ’20) credits his foundation at Meadows for shaping his leadership approach in his corporate communications career.

February 16, 2026

Alumni Spotlight: Andrea Mooney

Alumni Journalism Journalism alum Andrea Mooney (B.A. ’03) shapes how one of Dallas’ most recognized media brands connects with its audiences.

February 09, 2026

Meadows on the Mic: Willow Blythe-Carroll – Founder & CEO, Weaving Wisdom

Alumni Journalism CCPA student Lauren Edone interviews Journalism alum Willow Blythe-Carroll.

February 06, 2026

Dance alum Anna Kelley Zielke poses in a black shirt in front of bookcases

Alumni Spotlight: Anna Kelley Zielke

Alumni Dance Dance alum Anna Kelley Zielke (B.F.A. ’25) uses movement and language to foster connection as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Laos.

February 02, 2026

SMU Meadows Intern Fellowship Program Expands, Doubling Paid Internships in Year Two

Advertising Art Art History Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Creative Computing Dance Film & Media Arts Journalism Music Theatre Students will gain paid, hands-on experience, industry mentorship, and professional connections with nine leading Dallas arts and media organizations during the program’s second run.

January 28, 2026

A Tribute to Linda Pitts Custard

Linda’s relationship with Meadows was not simply one of philanthropy; it was a partnership grounded in belief.

January 26, 2026

Alumni Spotlight: Derek W. Hawkes

Alumni Music Music performance alum Derek W. Hawkes (B.M., B.A. ’14) has built a career that reflects the power of interdisciplinary training at Meadows.

January 26, 2026

Meadows on the Mic: Neeki Bey – Show Producer at Lincoln Center

Alumni Music Meadows music alum Neeki Bey discusses the importance of building community in your career and how he came to produce shows for Lincoln Center in NYC.

January 23, 2026

Alumni Spotlight: Mel Auberty

Alumni Art Art alum Mel Auberty (B.F.A. '79) blends decades of artistic practice with advocacy through her upcoming "Year of the Horse" exhibition and the nonprofit Blue Horse Sanctuary.

January 20, 2026

Meadows Art Students Explore Creative Connections at Corsicana Open Studios

Students Art Students visited the Corsicana Artist and Writer Residency to meet working artists, tour studios and experience the power of artistic collaboration beyond campus.

December 12, 2025

Meadows on the Mic: Jen Benoit-Bryan – SMU DataArts

Campus SMU DataArts Executive Director Jen Benoit-Bryan discusses SMU DataArts and how it’s impacting arts organizations around the country.

December 10, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Cameron Belgrade

Alumni Film & Media Arts Film & Media Arts alum Cameron Belgrade (B.A. ’21) made a pivotal leap from accounting to filmmaking during college, eventually landing him at Walt Disney Studios.

December 01, 2025

Brian Stokes Mitchell photo by James Edward Alexander

SMU Meadows Honors Broadway Singer and Leading Man Brian Stokes Mitchell with Meadows Award

Events Music Theatre Brian Stokes Mitchell will receive the Meadows Award at the Meadows at the Meyerson in Dallas on March 31 where he will perform with the Meadows Choirs and the Meadows Symphony Orchestra.

November 25, 2025

Students interact with digital project at creative computation showcase.

Creative Computation Showcase to Highlight Interdisciplinary Art and Innovation at Meadows

Events Art Creative Computing Music From sound-reactive installations to glow-in-the-dark sculptures, attendees will experience interactive projects from students in the Creative Computation program and beyond.

November 24, 2025

Cover of SMU Look spring/summer 2025 issue

Student Journalists Win Prestigious National Awards From Associated Collegiate Press

Students Journalism Members of "The Daily Campus" and "SMU Look" magazine earned six awards and numerous honorable mentions across reporting, writing, photography and art categories from the ACP.

November 19, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Michael Kirk Allen

Alumni Art History Music Art history and music alum Michael Kirk Allen (B.A. '03) draws on his dual-degree background to help today’s top artists share their stories at Republic Records.

November 17, 2025

Meadows on the Mic: Mari Sato – Fashion Media, SMU-LOOK and Forbes

Students Journalism Senior Mari Sato talks to us about her experience studying Fashion Media at SMU Meadows, internships, and her dream job in fashion.

November 12, 2025

Foundations of Arts and Nonprofit Leadership cohort of four students pose on campus in front of Dallas Hall.

SMU M.A./MBA Students Help Launch New Nonprofit in Hands-On Consulting Project

Students Arts Management and Nonprofit Leadership Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Through teamwork, creativity, and strategy, students in the dual degree M.A./MBA program help an emerging arts nonprofit in Dallas find its footing and its voice.

November 12, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Greg Oertel

Alumni Arts Management and Nonprofit Leadership Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Arts Management & Arts Entrepreneurship alum Greg Oertel (M.A./MBA '15) leads with both creativity and strategy shaping philanthropic initiatives across Texas.

November 10, 2025

Voice Performance Alumni Bring SMU Meadows Training to the Houston Grand Opera Stage

Alumni Music Jasmine Williams, master’s graduate and current Performer’s Diploma student, brings her artistry and training to HGO’s production of “Porgy and Bess” alongside fellow Meadows voice program alumni.

November 05, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Palmer Beldy

Alumni Advertising Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Advertising and CCPA alum Palmer Beldy (B.A. ’22) uses her Meadows-honed creativity to craft meaningful content for the National Geographic Society.

November 03, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Trigg Watson

Alumni Theatre Theatre alum Trigg Watson (B.F.A. ’12) builds upon his Meadows experience to bring theatrical storytelling, technology and human connection to modern magic.

October 27, 2025

Daniel Rios Rodriguez ; The Future , 2022 - 23; oil, acrylic, wood, foil, rope, terracotta, cement , wire on canvas; 94 x 73 x 3.75 i n,; Courtesy of the Artist and Nicelle Beauchene Gallery, N ew York, NY.

Division of Art Faculty Shine in Exhibitions from Taiwan to Texas

Faculty Art Art professors Brian Molanphy and Daniel Rios Rodriguez display their work in major exhibitions, from right here in Texas to the mountains of Taiwan.

October 24, 2025

Entrepreneur and Investor Trey Bowles Partners with SMU Impact Lab as Fund Manager and Advisor

Faculty Arts Management and Nonprofit Leadership Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Bowles will bring entrepreneurial expertise and investment insight to advance the Lab’s mission of purpose-driven innovation, helping build ventures that create lasting social impact.

October 22, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Claudia Zapata

Alumni Art History Art history alum Claudia Zapata, (Ph.D. ’22) draws on the mentorship and research foundation they built at Meadows to bring new depth to the national conversation on Latino art.

October 20, 2025

Cinematographer Shana Hagan instructs two Meadows students on camera work

Celebrated Cinematographer Shana Hagan Visits Meadows With Canon’s University EDU Initiative

Campus Film & Media Arts Film & Media Arts students gained hands-on experience and creative mentorship from cinematographer Shana Hagan, ASC, this week as part of Canon’s University EDU Initiative program.

October 16, 2025

Division of Dance students perform in the Meadows Museum gallery

artsLAB: Meadows’ Creativity Meets Wellness in a Campus-Wide Collaboration

Campus Dance Music The Meadows Museum blends art, movement, and mindfulness in cross-campus wellness event, uniting multiple SMU schools in an exploration of wellbeing through the arts.

October 13, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Lee Duveneck

Alumni Dance Dance alum Lee Duveneck (B.F.A. ’10) carries forward the artistic versatility and mentorship from his Meadows experience in his career as a professional dancer.

October 13, 2025

Meadows on the Mic: Taylor Good – SMU-TV and The New York Times

Students Journalism Journalism major Taylor Good shares her experience with SMU-TV, interning for The New York Times and being President of the SMU chapter of the Association of Black Journalists.

October 08, 2025

Music composition student Paul Johnson poses in a black shirt with yellow suspenders and glasses

Division of Music Student Paul Johnson Named New SMU-ISO Composer-in-Residence

Students Music A second-year master’s student double majoring in Music Composition and Music Theory Pedagogy has been selected as this year’s SMU–Irving Symphony Orchestra Composer-in-Residence.

October 07, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Beth Greenleaf

Alumni Art Art alum Beth Greenleaf (B.A. ’16) credits Meadows’ interdisciplinary approach with shaping the path that led her to a master’s at the Royal College of Art and a thriving career as a ceramicist and storyteller.

October 06, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Scott Summerall

Alumni Corporate Communication and Public Affairs CCPA alum Scott Summerall (B.A.'08) consistently applies the adaptability he learned at Meadows to leading global brand strategy at Texas Instruments.

September 29, 2025

SOLI Chamber Music ensemble poses for a photo

SYZYGY Welcomes SOLI Chamber Ensemble for Residency at SMU Meadows

Campus Music Meadows’ contemporary music ensemble SYZYGY joins forces with the SOLI Chamber Ensemble for a multi-day residency celebrating creativity and collaboration.

September 26, 2025

Meadows on the Mic: Margaret Winchell – SMU Choirs in China

Students Music Margaret Winchell, Director of Choral Activities, returns to the show to discuss the Meadows Choirs’ summer trip to China and what to look forward to this academic year.

September 25, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Ariel Martin

Alumni Alum Ariel Martin (M.A. '19) expanded her view of design as a strategic discipline in the MADI program, an approach that now guides her work as Director of Digital Product Design at Ford Motor Company.

September 22, 2025

Members of the Mustang Band play drums in their red and white striped uniforms

Mustang Band Boasts Record-Breaking Number of Members This Academic Year

Students Music The Band’s 125 members, including more Meadows students than ever before, showcase SMU’s spirit, creativity and tradition as the program enters a new era of growth and leadership.

September 17, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Russell Wyman Jr.

Alumni Advertising Advertising alum Russell Wyman Jr. (B.A.'06) credits Meadows with sparking his entrepreneurial mindset which led him to found his company, GruupMeet.

September 15, 2025

Meadows on the Mic: Yvonne Yang – Film Director, "Egg Drop Soup"

Students Film & Media Arts Meadows Film & Media Arts alum Yvonne Yang (B.F.A. ’24) discusses her time at SMU and directing the short film Egg Drop Soup.

September 08, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Cynthia McLaughlin

Alumni Journalism Journalism alum Cynthia McLaughlin (B.A. '17) was prepared for the high-stakes pace of her career in broadcast news and communications during her time at Meadows.

September 08, 2025

Poiesis Quartet poses with their instruments in an art gallery

Poiesis Quartet Wins Banff International String Quartet Competition, Named Newest Peak Fellowship Ensemble-in-Residence

Campus Music The Cincinnati-based ensemble won the grand prize at the prestigious music competition earlier this month and will begin their Peak Fellowship residency at Meadows in 2026.

September 05, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Peter Jutras

Alumni Music Piano performance and pedagogy alum Peter Jutras (M.M. '97) gained invaluable experiences during his time at Meadows, shaping him as both an educator and a leader in his field.

September 02, 2025

Colorful promotion poster for dance production titled This Time Tomorrow

Meadows Dance Student Self-Produces Show Inspired by Emotional Films

Students Dance Sophomore Colin Gross brings love and vulnerability to the stage in his full-length original production “This Time Tomorrow,” which featured several of his Division of Dance classmates.

August 27, 2025

Headshots of the nine new full-time faculty members at Meadows School of the Arts

Meadows Welcomes Nine New Faculty Members for the 2025-26 Academic Year

Faculty Art Art History Journalism Music Theatre Join us in welcoming nine new faculty members to Meadows, in divisions ranging from music and art to theatre and journalism, and learn more about these new members of our community.

August 26, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Cassandra Lazo

Alumni Film & Media Arts Film & Media Arts alum Cassandra Lazo (B.F.A. '22) shares how her Meadows experience prepared her for a career in television and gave her the confidence to pursue her dreams as a producer.

August 25, 2025

A screenshot of one of the AEJMC award-winning articles from SMU's news magazine "The DC"

SMU Student Journalists Win Multiple National Magazine Awards From AEJMC

Students Journalism The students took home five national awards from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)’s 2025 Magazine Media Division Student Magazine Contest.

August 21, 2025

Meadows on the Mic: Brent Turman – Entertainment Lawyer, Bell Nunnally

Students Corporate Communication and Public Affairs CCPA student Patrick Mason interviews Meadows film alum and entertainment lawyer Brent Turman.

August 20, 2025

Dallas Historical Society Names Dean Holland 2025 History Maker

Faculty The Dean of SMU Meadows, along with nine other leaders and organizations, will be celebrated during an awards ceremony hosted by the group this November.

August 18, 2025

Silas Farley on stage accepting his award as the 2025 John Neumeier Prize for Choreography recipient.

Creative Momentum: Summer Highlights from Meadows’ Innovative Faculty Members

Faculty Art Dance Film & Media Arts Music Theatre This summer, SMU Meadows’ faculty have earned global recognition, published new works, secured new creative roles and brought bold ideas to life across a variety of disciplines.

July 29, 2025

Meadows on the Mic: Bora Laci – From Communications to Financial Consulting

Students Corporate Communication and Public Affairs CCPA student Gigi Remy interviews finance consultant and CCPA alum Bora Laci.

July 25, 2025

Meadows students perform Zhou Long's piece "Words of the Sun" at the Fujian Grand Theatre in Fuzhou, China.

Meadows Music Students Build Cultural Bridges in China at Youth Choral Festival

Students Music SMU Meadows Choirs travel to Fuzhou and Beijing for the Bond with Kuliang 2025 Festival, forging friendships and sharing music across cultures.

July 25, 2025

Division of Art Professor Honored With Major Fall Exhibition at Wright State University

Faculty Art Meadows art professor and alum Philip Van Keuren’s “Elegy” will showcase decades of visionary work in the form of over 50 copperplate photogravures and silver gelatin prints.

July 17, 2025

Meadows on the Mic: Michelle Hagen – Marketing and the Movies

Students Corporate Communication and Public Affairs CCPA student Mia Verrochi interviews SMU Meadows alum Michelle Hagen, a marketing executive with over 30 years of experience in the film industry.

July 14, 2025

Meadows on the Move: Students Embrace Transformative Summer Opportunities Around the Globe

Students Advertising Art Arts Management and Nonprofit Leadership Dance Journalism Music SMU Meadows students have been pursuing a variety of opportunities all over the world this summer, from impressive internships and international programs to leading young artists and producing their own work.

July 11, 2025

SMU Meadows Names Kimberly Grigsby as Inaugural Music Director of Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre

Faculty Theatre Acclaimed music director, conductor and pianist Kimberly Grigsby will join Meadows’ new musical theatre program as it begins recruiting its first cohort of students for Fall 2026.

July 08, 2025

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