Learn more about each of our current scholars below!
If you have any questions about the program or would like to connect to one of the scholars, email Rod Jackson at rodrickj@mail.smu.edu.
If you would like more information on SMU and the admission process, please complete and submit this form.
Haneen Amarneh
High School: School of Science and Engineering at Yvonne A Ewell Townview Magnet Center
Major: Chemistry
Graduation Year: 2025
Tiayana Campbell-Addo
High School: Harmony Science Academy
Major: Psychology
Graduation Year: 2024
Leslie Castro
High School: Skyline High School
Major: Biology (Pre-Health)
Graduation Year: 2025
Giancarlos Dominguez
High School: Irving High School
Major: Computer Science
Current Extracurricular Activities: Computer Science Club, Cyber Security Club, and Creative Writing Club
Graduation Year: 2024
Bryan Flores
High School:
Major: Accounting
Graduation Year: 2025
Jaylen Freeman
High School: W. H. Adamson High School
Major: Accounting
Minor: Religion
Current Extracurricular Activity: Greek Life at SMU
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: My summer internship.
Graduation Year: 2023
Jacob Garza
High School: Cedar Hill Collegiate High School
Major: Political Science, Public Policy
Minor: Law and Legal Reasoning
Graduation Year: 2025
Julia Griffin
High School: Parish Episcopal School
Major: Psychology
Minor: Cognitive Science
Current Extracurricular Activities: Mustang Heroes (Dallas Animal Services volunteer), psychology research assistant, student employee at Meadows box office and education curriculum assistant and tutor for Project Intensity, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, and intramural volleyball.
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: My proudest accomplishment is helping conduct research in the Family Research Center as a research assistant. I learned a lot about my major and how to work in a real, professional environment. I also loved getting involved in something that I am passionate about and truly believe could help someone one day!
Graduation Year: 2023
Emma Hernandez
High School: Cedar Hill High School
Major: Finance, Music
Graduation Year: 2025
Maria Izaguirre
Majors: Sociology, Psychology, and Human Rights
Current Extracurricular Activities: First-Gen Association, Best Buddies, League of United Latin American Citizens,
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: Helping start the First-Gen Association student organization at SMU.
Graduation Year: 2022
Allysann Jackson
High School: Young Women's Leadership Academy at Arnold
Major:Marketing
Minor: Fashion Media
Current Extracurricular Activities: Rotunda Scholars Program and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: My proudest accomplishment has to be my internship with CultureHype.CultureHype is a public relations firm with wide suite of services that can be tailored to client needs. During my time there, I was able to secure brand deals for a local influencer and write the press release for Venny Etienne, a fashion designer featured in Beyoncé's Black Is King. Graduation Year: 2022
Jada Joseph
High School: Cedar Hill Collegiate High School
Major: Business Marketing
Graduation Year: 2025
Damondre Lynn
High School: Mesquite High School
Major: Education and Mathematics
Graduation Year: 2025
Catherine Madrigal
High School: The School of Health Professions at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
Majors: Business and Economics
Graduation Year: 2024
Abena Marfo
High School: Harmony School of Innovation
Majors: Sociology and Health and Society
Minor: Human Rights
Current Extracurricular Activities: African Students Association, Crum Commons Residential Assistant, Rotunda Academic Scholars, and First Generation Association
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: Becoming a McNair Scholar and also a student volunteer at Methodist Hospital Dallas.
Graduation Year: 2022
Matthew Merritt
High School: Duncanville High School
Major: Music Education
Minor: Spanish
Current Extracurricular Activities: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, INC., Association of Black Students, and Black Men Emerging
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: Being inducted into Upsilon Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, INC.
Graduation Year: 2023
Aqsa Mohammed
High School: MacArthur High School
Majors: Finance with an Alternative Asset Management Specialization and Market and Culture
Minor: History
Current Extracurricular Activities: Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, SMU Historical Society, SMU Bridwell Institute, the Alternative Asset Management Center Program, University Honor's Program, and the Student Foundation
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: My proudest accomplishment during my time at SMU is earning acceptance into the Alternative Asset Management program. It is a highly selective academic honors program based on academic performance, rigor, and an interview process.
Graduation Year: 2022
Kirk Ogunrinde
High School: Harmony School of Excellence
Major: Journalism
Minor:Computer Science
Graduation Year: 2025
Patricia Ortiz
High School: Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. Early College High School
Major: Biology (Pre-Health)
Minor: Spanish
Current Extracurricular Activities: College of Hispanic American Students, Medlife, Connect Program, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Rotunda Scholars, Hegi Career Leaders, Beasley Karate, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, and Project Belize (annual mission trip).
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: My proudest accomplishment at SMU thus far has been with Medlife. I delivered primary healthcare services to individuals and families who lacked access to proper health care in Cusco, Peru. While there, I collaborated with community members to establish development projects such as painting kitchens and creating bio-degradable organizing shelves. While in Cusco, I was exposed to dental care, pharmaceutical training, obstetrics, triage, and education. From my Medlife service, I gained an appreciation for hands-on science, and I emerged myself in a beautiful culture and broadened my horizons. This trip helped me solidify my calling as a physician.
Graduation Year: 2023
Jonathan Rivera
High School: Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy
Major: Finance
Minor: Political Science
Graduation Year: 2025
Cesar Sanchez
High School: Skyline High School
Majors: Computer Science and Management
Current Extracurricular Activity: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: Working under the Lyle School of Engineering's task-force to increase diversity and inclusion.
Graduation Year: 2023
Cit'Clalti Santos
High School: Trinidad Garza Early College High School
Majors: Health and Society and Spanish
Current Extracurricular Activities: League of United Latin American Citizens, Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas - Latinas In Progress, and I work as a pharmacy technician at CVS.
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: When I graduate from SMU!
Graduation Year: 2022
Roxana Santillan
High School: H. Grady Spruce High School
Major: Finance
Minors: Economics and Spanish
Current Extracurricular Activities: League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and College Hispanic American Students
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: Making it to the LULAC 2020-2021 exec board!
Graduation Year: 2023
Eli Segovia
High School: Faith Family Academy
Major: Computer Science - Software Engineering
Current Extracurricular Activities: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the Computer Science Club
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: Landing and participating at an internship at Raytheon.
Graduation Year: 2022
Luis Solorzano
Major: Finance, Sport Management
Minor: Economics
Graduation Year: 2025
Kayla Spears
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Art
Graduation Year: 2025
Mukeh Tejan
High School: Bishop Dunne Catholic School
Major: Finance
Current Extracurricular Activities: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Association of Black Students, African Student Association, Black Men Emerging, Forex Trader, Network Marketer, and Freelance Graphic Designer
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: Joining Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Graduation Year: 2023
Breonna Whittington
High School: Early College High School
Major: Human Rights
Current Extracurricular Activities: Feminist Equality Movement (FEM) and the Human Rights Council
Proudest Accomplishment at SMU: Being a part of the SMU Rotunda Scholars Program.
Graduation Year: 2024
Jesus Zepeda
High School: Uplift Peak Preparatory
Major: Sport Management
Graduation Year: 2025