Faculty and Staff

The Office of the Provost administers the President's Scholars Program.

Dr. Angela Jeon-Huh, Assistant Dean for Scholars Programs, is the Director for President's Scholar Program.

Dr. Susan Harris, Dr. Joseph Kobylka and Dr. Scott Norris are faculty advisors to the President's Scholars Program.

Primary contact information

President's Scholars Program
PO Box 750283
Dallas, TX 75275-0283
214-768-2508
ps@smu.edu

Faculty and Staff Biographies

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Dr. Angela Jeon-Huh

Dr. Angela Jeon-Huh earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Politics and a Master’s degree in Leadership Development at the Pennsylvania State University, and completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management at Drexel University. Her dissertation focused on undergraduate international student onboarding, specifically ways to improve the cultural and academic adjustment period. Prior to coming to SMU Dr. Angela Jeon-Huh served as Director of Global Programs at Pennsylvania State University and a faculty member for Global Studies and American Government courses. She served for five years as Drexel University’s Assistant Dean of Students and Director of International Students and Scholars Services. 

Dr. Jeon-Huh is an active member and a presenter for the Association of International Educators, NAFSA, Academic Impression, AI, and The Global Community for Academic Advising, NACADA. 

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Maria Izaguirre is a latina woman with dark brown hair. She wears a black blouse and a blue cardigan. The background is the classic red bricks used in most SMU buildings.

Maria Izaguirre

Maria Izaguirre, a Dallas Native, earned bachelor's degrees in Human Rights, Psychology, and Sociology from SMU. Before joining the team as a Program Specialist for Scholars Programs, Maria was the Postbaccalaureate Fellow for the SMU Human Rights Program. Maria is currently a candidate for a Master of Science in Counseling at SMU.

When not working or studying, Maria enjoys taking long walks at White Rock Lake with her dogs, spending time with her cat, attending concerts, and trying new coffee shops.

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Dr. Joseph Kobylka

Joe Kobylka became the President’s Scholars faculty sponsor coordinator in 2008. He is an inaugural member of the Academy of Distinguished Teachers, an Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor, and an associate professor of Political Science. His teaching and research interests include the areas of constitutional law, judicial politics, and American political thought. The Teaching Company published his lecture series “Cycles of American Political Thought” in 2007, and had a featured interview on PBS’s “The Supreme Court” (2007). He has received a number of honors and awards including: the “M” Award, the Willis M. Tate Award, the Rotunda Outstanding Professor Award, Distinguished University Citizen Award, H.O.P.E. Distinguished Professor Award, SMU Student Senate Faculty Member of the Year Award, Bridge Committee Award, and the Deshner Award.

He also owns and manages a competitive fantasy baseball team, Publius.

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scott noris profile

Dr. Scott Norris

Dr. Scott Norris is a former President's Scholar and graduated with a degree in mathematics from SMU in 2001 before earning a Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 2006. After a three-year postdoctoral position at Harvard University, Dr. Norris returned to join the faculty of the mathematics department in 2011, and became a PS faculty sponsor in 2016.

"I owe so much of my personal and professional development to my time at SMU in the mathematics department and President's Scholars community. It is an honor and a privilege to serve those communities as a faculty member so many years later."

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Dr. Susan Harris

Dr. Susan Harris graduated with her BA in Psychology from The University of Kansas in 1987 and then received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Texas in 1994. She was an Assistant professor at Trinity University and Northern Arizona University prior to joining the SMU Psychology Department as an adjunct faculty member in 2003 which continues to this day. In 2013, she also joined the staff of the University Advising Center as the pre-major advisor for the University Honors Program. It was her distinct pleasure to become a faculty sponsor for the President’s Scholars Program in 2019. In the Spring of 2021, Dr. Harris became the Director of PreLaw advising at SMU.

Susan and her husband, Dr. Ian Harris, an Associate Professor of Statistics at SMU, have 3 children. Their oldest became a proud graduate of SMU in May 2021. They enjoy spending time with family, watching soccer, and traveling when they can. They regularly host outdoor movie nights for friends, neighbors, and family when the weather permits.

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