Greetings from the Hilltop!
As summer adventures come to a close, the Hilltop is buzzing with energy. With new students heading to campus, exciting faculty research underway, and new and improved structures all over campus, this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. We’re excited for what the new year holds, but it will only be possible with the support of dedicated Mustang donors. We hope you’ll take a moment to read about all the new Hilltop happenings and be inspired to support our students, faculty and campus with your gift today.
Cox School of Business
“Building business leaders” is more than a slogan – it is at the heart of everything the Cox School of Business does for its students. Offering numerous specializations for undergraduate and graduate programs, Cox provides a world-class business education.
We recently broke ground on our two-year, $140 million renovation and expansion project, which will include the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership, the new David B. Miller Business Quadrangle and much more!
Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
With more than 90 majors and minors, Dedman College is the cornerstone of the University. Students pass through Dallas Hall, soaking in the core curriculum taught by the college’s professors. In addition to teaching, Dedman faculty are conducting cutting-edge research on topics such as Batten disease, epilepsy, archaeological finds and methane gases’ effect on the ozone.
Annual gifts from supporters like you fund signature programs like SMU Human Rights, which is one of eight programs in the nation to offer a bachelor’s degree in this field.
Dedman School of Law
With your help, Dedman Law continues to successfully prepare our students for life after law school. Ninety-four percent of the Class of 2021 was employed 10 months after graduation, hundreds of alumni mentor current students through our Mustang Exchange program, and about one-third of our students participate in our corporate counsel externship program at one of more than 100 participating corporate legal departments.
Dedman Law’s 11 clinics and three academic centers are making real change. Join us this fall at one of our many events on campus or around the nation!
Lyle School of Engineering
Leadership and collaboration are core strengths of Lyle School of Engineering. By providing sales, marketing and other leadership training to every student, as well as facilities like the Deason Innovation Gym, our graduates are prepared to thrive in the real world as soon as they leave the Hilltop.
Lyle’s student body is 34% female – double the national average – and our engineers are creating better outcomes for our nation and world. They’re addressing equity through our Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity, advancing our nation’s transportation infrastructure with prestigious fellowships, accelerating data science and artificial intelligence and more.
Meadows School of the Arts
Meadows School of the Arts prepares students for self-sustaining careers that advance the creative ecosystem. At the heart of this initiative is a relentless dedication to partner the most promising students with premier and dedicated faculty preparing them for life after the Hilltop. Currently, 85% of recently employed alumni are working throughout the world in fields related to their degree.
SMU arts complex at Meadows School of the Arts is currently undergoing its most extensive renovation since being built in the 1960s. The new Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers Center for Visual Arts is almost complete, and upgrades to the spaces and technology have already begun enhancing the student (and prospective student) experience.
Perkins School of Theology
As one of SMU’s original schools, Perkins School of Theology remains the spiritual heart of the University. Perkins students learn, grow and worship as a diverse community of faith. The Houston-Galveston Extension Program site enables more students to take advantage of course content. The Black/Africana Church Studies Program, launched last fall, adds to a holistic learning experience for training future leaders for a variety of ministries.
Perkins is positioned as a global leader for the study of world Methodist traditions. With the acquisition of materials by Bridwell Library of the World Methodist Museum collection - the largest single acquisition of materials by Bridwell Library in its 70-year history - we remain a top destination for historical research.
Simmons School of Education and Human Development
Simmons School of Education and Human Development ranks No. 1 in private graduate schools of education in Texas and the Southwest. We champion a research-to-practice model: providing real solutions to issues challenging our community and the world.
Our engaging partnerships with the Dallas community through The Budd Center, Center for Family Counseling, Center on Research and Evaluation and our West Dallas STEM School show a commitment to practical education with a lens towards collaborative efforts that create change. We hope you see the many Simmons’ collaborations across our community and will join us in support of this impactful work.
Student Affairs
Campus life remains vibrant and active: The Division of Student Affairs’ 229 current student organizations and 38 departments produced almost 2,000 events last year, engaging more than 9,223 students. Community service, social events and leadership programs encourage our students to explore and pursue their interests.
Last year, students participated at record rates in career fairs, personal appointments, resume reviews and events at Hegi Family Career Development Center. Our commitment here remains strong.
Your support is critical as we focus on student wellness: improving access to mental health resources and substance abuse prevention programs and revitalizing the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports. Stop by and experience what’s new in campus life this fall.