Our Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni & Partners: A Virtuous Cycle of Success
Every member of the SMU Guildhall family contributes to our story. We're proud of the successful past we've had as a program, watching our students and alumni grow into stellar careers, and are excited to see the bright future that's ahead.
We're also proud of the "Virtuous Cycle" of success we maintain. The SMU Guildhall faculty of industry leaders teach our students to be skillful game developers. Those alumni go on to become pros, leading teams of their own and publishing top tiles. And they return to give back to the next generation, imparting wisdom in a multitude of ways and hiring our newest talent. This cycle makes the SMU Guildhall family strong and connected, and it's one of the many reasons our community continues to evolve and expand in both impact and size.
Our students
An important part of the student experience is providing ample opportunities to work not just with diverse team structures, but with diverse people. Guildhall’s commitment to diversity in the gaming industry is evident in its admissions and student services; our diverse student body comes from a variety of backgrounds and have represented 25 countries and 49 U.S. states plus D.C. Over half of our students currently come from international backgrounds, allowing our program to foster an inclusive learning environment that promotes a wide range of perspectives. This diversity enriches the collaborative experience in team-based projects and prepares students for working in globalized industry environments.
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Our alumni
We have graduated over 1000 alumni who have gone on to work at more than 350 game studios and tech companies around the world. Many have gone on to occupy senior or lead positions within 4-7 years after graduation. The caliber of our industry-modeled education allows our graduates to be studio ready on Day 1, ready to join professional teams with exceptional experience, knowledge, and skills. Recruiting studios and game development leaders approve and attest that our advanced curriculum outpaces and outperforms that of other programs, and the success of our alumni is direct proof of our preparation.
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Our Faculty & Staff
Our full-time faculty are industry veterans, who have worked on more than 290 professional games across three decades at over 40 leading game studios. Our adjunct faculty are leading game developers that make games by day and teach here in the evenings. Our staff members have a wide range of experience in higher education and 90 years of cumulative experience at SMU. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations of our program.
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Community: Guildmasters, Keynote Speakers, Industry Partners & Educational Partners
Industry leaders regularly participate as guest lecturers, advisors, advocates, and invited keynote speakers at SMU Guildhall. They, along with our alumni, also form our vast and ever-evolving Industry Network of partners, who are actively involved in our Career Services, Curriculum Enhancement, Project and Research Initiatives, and more.
We also give back to the changing educational landscape around us. Our commitment to bridging industry and academia is reinforced through a range of initiatives that allow us to benefit students, programs, and institutions beyond our walls. Partnerships with local educational institutions, including the Dallas Independent School District and Dallas County Community College District, provide pathways for high school students to earn college credit in gaming and STEM. Additionally, collaborations with the Texas Workforce Commission and the Workforce of the Future Leadership Summit demonstrate our role in preparing the next generation for emerging job markets. Our faculty also regularly work with other academic programs in game development education and higher education at large for educational opportunities, event collaborations, and research initiatives.
Learn more about our Guildmasters & Keynote Speakers
Learn more about our Industry Partnerships
Learn more about our Educational Partnerships