Meet the Leaders
Natalia Silvera
HOMETOWN
Panama City, Panama
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Bachelor's in Psychology | 2026
ABOUT ME
Hi everyone! My name is Natalia and I’m very excited to serve as your International Leader this year. I hope to facilitate for you all a successful adaptation process to college in the US that allows you to feel as much at home here as I do. Campus-life in a close-knit community like SMU is perfect in the heart of a metropolitan city like Dallas: you never fall short of things to explore. My perfect plan includes taking a walk around Highland Park and having some frozen yogurt before heading back to campus to hang out with friends on Dallas Hall Lawn or catch up on some studying on Fondren Library’s Fourth Floor ;)
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any SMU-related questions. We can’t wait to meet you all!
Samuel Xie
HOMETOWN
Shanghai, China
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Bachelor's in Psychology | 2025
ABOUT ME
Hello, my name is Samuel Xie. I have been living in the Dallas area for six years now and absolutely loving it. My favorite part about SMU is Greek life, I am a member of Beta Upsilon Chi and it is always a blast to hang out with my fraternity brothers. Ask me about anything! I would love to chat and help!
Abdul Wasay
HOMETOWN
Lahore, Pakistan
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Master's Student in the Computer Science Department (A.I. Track)
ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Wasay, and I am currently in my second year of master's studies at SMU. I grew up in Pakistan and spent the last eight years in the Middle East before moving to Dallas. I absolutely love it here; the city is so vast that there's always something happening and new experiences to be had. I hope you feel the same way. Feel free to reach out if you want to discuss emerging technologies, traveling, F1, settling into Dallas, managing budgets, or if you just want to chat. I wish for your journey to SMU to be as smooth and welcoming as mine has been.
Anurag
HOMETOWN
India
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Master's in Game Design & Development at Guildhall
ABOUT ME
Namaste! My name is Anurag, and I've had the opportunity to reside in various vibrant and picturesque Indian cities such as New Delhi, Nagpur, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. My passion for the RPG genre of video games continues to grow, and in my free time, you can find me indulging in running and experimenting with different cuisines—though, rest assured, not simultaneously!
Should you also be captivated by video games or simply intrigued by them (who isn’t?), please don't hesitate to reach out, connect, and even visit our welcoming Guildhall building. As a proud participant in the International Leadership Program, I'm thrilled to forge connections with diverse individuals from all over the globe.
Sultan Alanazy
HOMETOWN
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
MAJOR/PROGRAM
PhD student at the Computer Science Department
ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Sultan Alanazy, I love to meet people and discover their cultures. I have a long experience in working at student's organizations at different universities such as IAU, USC, and SMU. Moreover, I have been a student at SMU since 2016, and I can say the SMU campus is so special for every Mustang! My best memory at SMU was when I attended "the Game Day" for the first time and watched SMU win! I'm so excited to get to know more international students!
Lucia Hinojosa
HOMETOWN
Mexico City, Mexico
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Business and Arts Management B.B.A.
ABOUT ME
Hi!! My name is Lucia Hinojosa. I am a junior at SMU, and this is my second year as an ILP Leader. I have lived there for 8 years, but I also grew up in New York City and London. I’d never been to Dallas before coming to SMU, but I have definitely grown to love how versatile and cultural the city is. I love that in Dallas you have access to a ton of sports games, new coffee shops, and beautiful parks.
Arush Gupta
HOMETOWN
India
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Master's in Software Engineering | 2024
ABOUT ME
Hello, I'm Arush, currently in my second year as a master’s student at SMU. Originally from India, I've been in the U.S. for over a decade, and the past three years have found me happily settled in Dallas. Dallas is a diverse city offering various activities, from sports and concerts to nature spots, art scenes, and great food. If you'd like to chat about life in the U.S., Cricket, Arsenal, movies, or just have a casual conversation, feel free to reach out. My virtual door is always open.
Wishing you a pleasant and enjoyable time at SMU!
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Rasiq Hussain
HOMETOWN
Hyderabad, India
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Master's in Software Engineering | 2025
ABOUT ME
Hello Everyone! I'm a Grad student here at SMU. I am a Graduate and an International Student Leader here at SMU. I am from India, but I've spent a major chunk of my life growing up in Dubai. Beyond my academic pursuits, I am passionate about exploring diverse cultures, engaging in meaningful travel experiences, and indulging in the creative world of cinema, particularly sci-fi films. Additionally, I find solace and joy in collecting vinyl records and seeking out culinary adventures in new locales. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Renata Cardenas
HOMETOWN
Mexico City, Mexico
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Sports Management Major | Advertising Major
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Renata Cardenas, and currently, I am a sophomore at SMU. I'm a huge fan of automobile sports, especially Formula 1 and Indy car racing but I'm always up for exploring new sports and understand their event coordination. Coming to Dallas for college was a new experience for me, and I must say that I absolutely adore this city. Dallas offers plenty of activities and attractions, providing endless opportunities for enjoyment. Among the various aspects that I appreciate about Dallas, one of my absolute favorites is visiting the coffee shops around the city. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to write me!