Honors and Scholars Residential Community

The Honors and Scholars Residential Community bridges residence life and academic student success.

Launched in Fall 2026 with Residence Life and Student Housing, the Honors and Scholars Residential Community is an opportunity for first-year University Honors Program students, Turner Scholars, Hilltop Scholars, and President's Scholars to live together in McElvaney Commons, located in the heart of SMU. Dedicated programming unique to each program will take place in McElvaney throughout the academic year.

“At its core, the Honors Residential Community is about connection. By more intentionally linking rigorous academics with residential life, faculty mentorship, interdisciplinary exploration, and community engagement, students will be able to push boundaries, ask big questions, contribute to SMU’s culture of excellence, and feel a greater sense of belonging.” - Jay Hartzell, SMU President.

The building is supported by a Residential Community Director (RCD) and an Honors and Scholars Faculty-in-Residence (FIR). For the 2026-27 academic year, the RCD is Greelie Bauman, and the FIR is Assistant Director of the University Honors Program, Professor Joan Arbery.

 

Honors and Scholars Peer Leaders

To support our incoming first-year Honors and Scholars Residential Community to advance the mission to make campus home, and bridge residence life and student academic success - the Honors and Scholars Program staff manages nine students leaders to serve as mentors and leaders. 

Honors and Scholars Peer Leaders are upperclassmen students currently enrolled and in good standing with our Honors and Scholars Programs, and live in the Residential Commons to support first-year students. Peer Leaders partner with the Residential Commons Student Leadership Team to coordinate and execute events and programming, encourage student participation in first-year activities, and advocate for students to the Honors and Scholars and Residence Life Teams.

Nine McElvaney Honors and Scholars Peer Leaders for the 2026-27 Academic Year.

Contact: Tulsi Lohani, Program Coordinator for Honors and Scholars Programs.