2026

Natalie Bell

Hometown: Plano, TX
High School Name: John Paul II High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Marketing major, Statistics and Psychology minors

High School Accomplishments:

  • Student Council President
  • National Honor Society President
  • Recipient of Dartmouth Book Award

SMU Accomplishments:

  • BBA Scholar
  • Cox Senator
  • Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity Member

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I am looking forward to being surrounded by passionate, like-minded individuals as we learn more about leadership and how to use each of our skill sets to better our communities. Being a Hunt Scholar presents unmatched opportunities for community, growth, and success and I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Oscar Chen

Hometown: Memphis, TN
High School Name: Briarcrest Christian School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Finance with Specialization in Real Estate, Computer Science minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Director of the Afghanistan Relocating Refugees' Families Project
  • Class President & Secretary
  • Co-founded the International Club
  • Four-Year Honor Council Representative

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Student Senate Pre-Major Senator and First-Year Senator
  • Director for Finance for Business in Healthcare Club
  • Outreach Committee for The Big Event
  • SMU Student Union
  • First-Gen Association

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

As a Hunt Scholar, I am most excited about the different opportunities that are given to venture out of our norms to experience different social and environmental settings. Along with my fellow Scholars, I am thrilled to be provided with resources to create a stronger and better tomorrow around the DTX area.

Keaton Cheves

Hometown: Dallas, TX
High School Name: Shelton School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Sports Management major, Corporate Communications minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Eagle Scout
  • Student Council President
  • Football Captain
  • YMSL President

SMU Accomplishments:

  • SMU Football Team
  • Student Advisory Board Panel

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I’m excited to be involved on campus. Also, I am looking forward to meeting fellow Hunt Scholars and learning more about their leadership experiences on campus and in the Dallas community. Pony up!

Michael Cohen

Hometown: Atlanta, GA
High School Name: The Lovett School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Finance major, Sports Management minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Student Body President
  • Founded, marketed, planned, and executed The Neighborhood Kids Camp
  • Tennis Team Captain
  • Summa Cum Laude

SMU Accomplishments:

  • BBA Scholar
  • Alpha Kappa Psi Member
  • SAE Class Treasurer
  • TAMID Treasurer
  • Career Accelerator Program (CAP)
  • Honor Roll with High Distinction

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

The community and the strong network within the Hunt Scholar Program.

Fisher Crews

Hometown: Hoboken, GA
High School Name: Pierce County High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Finance and Economics majors, History minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Member of State Superintendent Advisory Council
  • Class President
  • Student Council President
  • Varsity Golf Captain

SMU Accomplishments:

  • BBA Scholar
  • Alpha Kappa Psi Member
  • Phi Delta Theta Member
  • Boulevard Chair Executive Member
  • Emerging Leaders Program Participant
  • Student Facilitator for Emerging Leaders Program

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

The Hunt Scholars program offers unmatched student development along a variety of different skill sets. For example, the Tate Lecture Series is an experience only found in dreams and an experience only found as an SMU Hunt Scholar. Furthermore, the vast opportunities for leadership and personal growth under the experience and guidance of the Hunt Scholar Staff is second to none across the entire world. Finally, the chance to work with a completely diverse yet like minded group of peers is an adventure I can't wait to begin.

Payton Deichler

Hometown: Utopia, TX
High School Name: Utopia High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Real Estate, Finance, World Languages, and International Studies majors, Human Rights minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Student Council President
  • Class President
  • Salutatorian
  • FFA President

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Human Rights Finance Chair
  • Student Senator
  • Hillel Campus Outreach Director

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I am looking forward to joining the SMU community, especially the Hunt Scholar community, with its many opportunities for both personal and professional growth, and I am excited to be joining a group of such driven and motivated people from all backgrounds.

Matthew Garcia

Hometown: Duncanville, TX
High School Name: Duncanville High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science and Public Policy majors, Spanish minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Youth and Government Club Leader, National Conference Representative
  • Founder of Peer Mentor Program
  • Top 10% of class

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

The thing that excites me most about being a Hunt Scholar is having a group that I can always fall back on; a group that shares the opportunity of developing our leadership skills in a way most can’t on campus.

Zoey Hess

Hometown: Houston, TX
High School Name: Emery Weiner School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Business Management and Psychology majors

High School Accomplishments:

  • National Honor Society President
  • Treasurer, Secretary, and Representative of the Student Government Association
  • Head Chair of Honor Society Community Service Committee
  • Student Ambassador

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Director of Marketing and Communication for The Big Event
  • Alpha Kappa Psi Member
  • Student Union Member
  • University Honors Program
  • Chi Omega Philanthropy Day Chair

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I am beyond excited to join a tight-knit group of likeminded, service-oriented, individuals who intend to make a positive impact on the SMU community and beyond. Collaborating with my peers, alumni, and community leaders on campus will be such a rewarding and incredible experience. Overall, I am so honored to be a part of this program that will allow me to foster my leadership skills and make lifelong relationships.

Savannah Hunsucker

Hometown: Walton, KS
High School Name: Newton High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Business Management and Spanish majors on the Pre-Law Track

High School Accomplishments:

  • STAND President
  • National Honor Society Historian
  • Sole Youth Member of the Kansas Governor's Behavioral Health Services Planning Council

SMU Accomplishments:

  • The Big Event Director of Programming
  • Circle K International Director of Recruitment

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

My favorite part about being a Hunt Scholar is the community. I have met so many amazing individuals in my cohort as well as the other cohorts. The automatic feeling of support this program has given me is amazing, and the never ending resources are an added bonus.

Melanie Jackson

Hometown: Aldan, PA
High School Name: Cardinal O'Hara High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Journalism and Marketing majors

High School Accomplishments:

  • Student Council Vice President
  • Yearbook Editor-in-Chief
  • Junior and Senior year "Wake up Cardinal O'Hara" Leadership Member and Co-Host

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Student Foundation Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
  • First-Year Senator
  • Fro Freshman Liaison and Programming Chair
  • SCIE Connect Program Mentor
  • SMU Student Ambassador

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I love being apart of a community of students with the same passion for leadership! The same passion to get involved and make our campus a better place! I love having this community for support and friendship.

Ashley Jones

Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
High School Name: Central High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science and Public Policy majors, History minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Founder & President of Keller Central High School's Student Powered Anti-Racism Coalition
  • Certified Pharmacy Technician and Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Peruna Handler
  • Emerging Leaders Student Facilitator
  • Summer 2023 Orientation Leader
  • Public Relations for the Association of Black Students

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

Being surrounded by some of the most outgoing, talented, and innovative individuals from across the nation. I am so excited to watch our group grow and flourish!

Anekah Kelley

Hometown: Coppell, TX
High School Name: New Technology High at Coppell
Major(s)/Minor(s): Computer Science and Mathematics majors, History and Business minors

High School Accomplishments:

  • President of Texas DECA District 11
  • Four-Time DECA International Career Development Conference Qualifier
  • Valedictorian

SMU Accomplishments:

  • University Honors Program Student Advisory Board
  • SMU Student Ambassador
  • SMU ALEC Tutor
  • Vice President of the South Asian Student Association (SASA)
  • Resident Assistant Liaison
  • Kathy Crow Commons Council Director of Service

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

I am really excited to grow as a leader and to be part of a community that is so focused on giving back to others. Participating in the Hunt Scholars Program will give me the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, gain experience in many different fields of interest, and push me out of my comfort zone in the best way. Having older Hunt Scholars as mentors and eventually becoming a mentor myself is an important tradition and something that I am very excited for!

Will Leathers

Hometown: Tupelo, MS
High School Name: McCallie School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Finance and International Studies majors, Spanish, History, and Sports Management minors

High School Accomplishments:

  • Student Body President
  • TSSAA Team and Doubles State Champion
  • Restarted McCallie Service and Business Society and school newspaper

SMU Accomplishments:

  • SMU Student Senate First Year Senator and Parliamentarian
  • SMU Student Ambassador
  • SMU Alpha Kappa Psi Social Chair
  • University Honors Program

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

The community of people that surround and support me! Specifically, the mentorship program that has allowed me to meet lots of people and create connections for me on campus.

Cate Mossman

Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK
High School Name: Classen School of Advanced Studies
Major(s)/Minor(s): Economics major, International Studies minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Girl Up Chapter Founder and President
  • Girls Varsity Cross Country Captain
  • Yearbook Editor-in-Chief
  • National Honor Society President
  • Valedictorian

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Student Foundation Content Committee
  • Alpha Chi Omega Recruitment and Philanthropy Committees
  • University Honors Program

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

Hunt Scholars genuinely want to impact and improve our communities. I can think of no better feeling than participating in a dynamic group that shares my values. Surrounding myself with likeminded, driven individuals reminds me of the potential, and good, humans hold. My fellow scholars constantly inspire me to do good for my community and the world around us.

Thayer Orr

Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
High School Name: Fort Collins High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Finance major, Economics minor

High School Accomplishments:

  • Student Body President
  • National Honor Society Vice President
  • Fort Collins High School Student Ambassador

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Hilltop Scholar
  • Pre-Major Senator
  • Student Foundation Member
  • Student Union Member
  • Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity Member

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

What excites me most about being a Hunt Scholar is the plethora of opportunities to thrive and connect. With such a tight-knit and uplifting community, there are so many encouraging you to be the best version of yourself. I am excited to become a part of this program and contribute to the SMU community!

Gabriel Otero

Hometown: Miami, FL
High School Name: Belen Jesuit Preparatory School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management majors, Law & Legal Reasoning and Spanish minors

High School Accomplishments:

  • Founder of Soccer Program at Urban Promise Miami
  • Vice President of SOS (Students Offering Support)
  • Academic tutor and activity counselor for children at Urban Promise

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Pre-Law Scholar
  • Student Union member
  • College of Hispanic American Students Member
  • Sigma Chi Fraternity Member

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

Being a Hunt Scholar has allowed me to meet talented and inspiring individuals. Each member has their own strengths, and when combined, we are dynamic, effective, and model leaders at SMU. This group is full of intellectual, brave, curious, and unique people. With each member coming from different backgrounds, we are diverse in academics, spirituality, and cultures. As a Hunt Scholar, I look forward to participating in community service projects like I did back in high school. I am grateful to the Hunt Leadership Scholars Program for giving me this amazing opportunity!

Javier Perez

Hometown: Mesquite, TX
High School Name: North Mesquite High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Mechanical Engineering and Religious Studies majors

High School Accomplishments:

  • President of State-Level Robotics Team
  • Vice President and Co-Founder of Youth Leadership Group
  • Orchestra President

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Boaz President
  • Vice President of Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc. 

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

Having the privilege of joining a community of world-class leaders and gaining access to resources that will allow me to develop and use my leadership in meaningful and life changing ways.

Grant Richter

Hometown: The Woodlands, TX
High School Name: Houston Christian High School
Major(s)/Minor(s): Accounting and Political Science majors

High School Accomplishments:

  • Student Body Vice President
  • Co-Creator of an Anti-Sex Trafficking Organization called "Until Everyone is Free"
  • President of Student Ambassadors

SMU Accomplishments:

  • Student Senator
  • Member of Alpha Kappa Psi
  • Student Ambassador

What do you like most about being a Hunt Scholar?

The most rewarding aspect of being a Hunt Scholar is the relationships and connections built throughout the program. Being a Hunt has given me the opportunity to meet people who have become lifetime family and have taught me how to be the best version of myself on a daily basis.