Scholars' Den

We are honored to serve as the host location for the entire SMU Honors and Scholars community as well as the Office of Engaged Learning and its distinctive programs.

The Scholars' Den is a distinctive space intended for studying, group work, casual meetings, or even a quick nap between classes. Our space is designed to foster academic

The Scholars' Den is closed for renovation through January 2024

Honors and scholars programs

Six students stand in front of iconic Dallas buildings with their arms around each other

Hilltop Scholars

Hilltop Scholars is a first-year honors program that focuses on leadership and service. Students take specific courses together to build a strong academic foundation and participate in various social, cultural, and educational events to enhance their campus experience. Additionally, HSP provides opportunities for community service projects and philanthropies in the Dallas area, allowing students to make a positive impact in their community.

A group of students poses behind a podium at the Dallas Museum of Art

Rotunda Scholars

The Rotunda Scholars Program (Rotunda) is dedicated to supporting historically underrepresented first-year students in achieving academic success, fostering leadership skills, and cultivating personal excellence.

Student is studying in the library with her laptop open on her lap. She sits in an armchair in front of a large window, and the picture is framed by library bookshelves on either side.

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program (UHP) prepares undergraduate students for their future by emphasizing a broad-based education in the humanities and sciences, and fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity. Students in the UHP program enroll in distinctive courses that provide opportunities to travel, complete independent research projects, and engage in Oxford seminar style coursework.

9 Students pose wearing business casual. 5 are standing on the back row, 4 are sitting in front on a bench.

Mustang Scholars

The Mustang Scholars Program makes an SMU education accessible by combining it with other awards to ensure that SMU tuition and fees are fully covered. Our Mustang Scholars attract highly achieving Dallas County area students.

4 students laughing while looking at an object of attention that is out of the camera's view

President’s Scholars

The President's Scholars Program (PS) provides full tuition & fees for some of the nation's high achieving students. This program is dedicated to supporting students who have demonstrated a remarkable level of academic achievement and possess a strong commitment to making a positive impact both on campus and beyond.

Featured Honor Students

Portrait of SMU junior Gabrielle Gard, pictured in front of SMU building in a blue blazer and white button up with a blue flower pattern

Gabrielle Gard ’22, Engaged Learning fellow and recipient of Goldwater Scholarship

Featured in SMU News: "Carefully nurturing the cancer cells she uses in SMU biology professor Pia Vogel’s research lab is routine for SMU junior Gabrielle Gard, who has been working in sophisticated research labs since she was a junior in high school. Her dogged pursuit of hands-on research is just one of the reasons she has received a 2021-22 Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious national science awards presented to undergraduate students."

Learn more about Engaged Learning

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