Contact Us
Email: ThriveScholars@smu.edu
Follow us on Instagram: @LyleThriveScholars
The Thrive Scholars Program is a peer mentoring program in SMU Lyle School of Engineering that is designed to provide academic and social support for first-year and transfer students who are traditionally underrepresented in the fields of engineering and computer science.
First-year mentees are paired with upper-class peer mentors who provide ongoing, one-on-one support during students’ first year at SMU.
Benefits of participating in the Thrive Scholars Program include:
- Attending events focused on social networking, leadership development, and well-being
- Direct access to personalized academic advising and degree plan development
- Opportunities to engage with faculty outside of the classroom
- Connections to industry experts and diverse SMU alumni
- Priority consideration for on-campus jobs in the Lyle School
Participation in the Thrive Scholars Program involves a one-year commitment, with additional opportunities to attend specialized events and serve as a peer mentor as students progress through their academic careers in the Lyle School.
Aaron Santa Cruz
Electrical & Computer Engineering ‘26
Arian Shamaei
Computer Engineering '25
Brianna Navarro
Mechanical Engineering '25
Celeste Zapata
OREM & Data Science ‘26
Elizabeth Larez Diaz
Computer Science ‘26
Janel Sarpong
OREM & Data Science '26
Jennifer Galindo
Computer Science & Data Science '26
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Jonathan London
Mechanical Engineering '26
Jose Martinez
Electrical & Computer Engineering '27
Julian Oliva
Mechanical Engineering '27
Katelyne Aguilar
Computer Science '25
Makayla Blackwell
Mechanical Engineering '26
Manny Garcia
Computer Science & Data Science '25
Mo Murtaza
Mechanical Engineering '26
Razkia Rouabah
Computer Science & Biomedical Engineering '26
Reece Smith
Civil & Environmental Engineering '26
Reese Mellor
Computer Science & Data Science ‘25
Ryan Resendiz
Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering '27
Serap Ogut
Computer Science & Data Science '25
Meet the Leadership Team
Kelyn Rola
Alain Mota
Kathy Hubbard
Ivy Phillips
Senior Academic Advisor & Success Coach
214-768-4081
zzphillips@smu.edu
Arath Dominguez
Student Coordinator
Computer Science '25
arathd@mail.smu.edu
Zeira Galindo
Graduate Assistant
Mechanical Engineering '25
zgalindo@mail.smu.edu
Zoe Mukendi
Student Coordinator
Civil Engineering '26
zmukendi@mail.smu.edu
FAQs
Thrive Scholars involves a one-year commitment for first-year mentees. There are additional opportunities to attend specialized events during students’ sophomore years and to serve as a peer mentor as students progress through their academic careers in the Lyle School.
No! Participation is at no cost for student mentees.
First-year and transfer students in the Lyle School of Engineering who identify as a racial/ethnic minority, first-generation, and/or Pell-grant eligible are encouraged to participate in the program. If you are uncertain of your eligibility, please contact ThriveScholars@smu.edu. There is no minimum GPA requirement to participate.
Mentors are upper-class students (juniors and seniors) from a variety of Lyle majors who have a passion for helping their peers succeed.
Mentees meet with their mentor twice per month and meet with the program director once per month.
The program hosts weekly seminars designed to help incoming students thrive. During these hour-long sessions, students have opportunities to engage with their Lyle professors and peers; learn about important college-related topics like financial literacy, stress management and mindsets, and résumé building; and participate in game nights and special-themed activities.