Class of 2023

Dima is a senior from Frisco, Texas, majoring in History and International Studies with a Specialization in the Middle East and minoring in French and Economics. She enjoys baking, working out and traveling. After graduation Dima plans to attend law school.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Teen Court of Collin County, Volunteer Attorney
• National French Honor Society
• Mock Trial

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Mock Trial, Vice President of Operations & Tournaments Director
• Program Council, President
  • Vice President of Programming
  • Programming Chair
• Muslim Student Association, Activities Chair
• Mustang Heroes

Burns is a senior from Denton, Texas, majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Economics and History. He enjoys playing video games, reading and writing. After graduation Burns plans to pursue a career designing video games. 

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Texas Boys State
• Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Sons of the Union award, Recipient
• International Baccalaureate Diploma

SMUACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Rotunda Scholar
• Engineers Without Borders
• Debate Club

Jordan is a senior from Dallas, Texas, majoring in Biology and Music Composition. He enjoys playing tennis, playing violin, and genealogical research. After graduation Jordan plans to attend medical school.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Composed and conducted three new pieces for high school orchestra
• 2018 TJSHS Epilepsy Research Presenter
• National AP Scholar

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• University Honors Program
• Martial Arts Club
• Meadows Chorale
• Hillel at SMU, Vice President
• Garcia-Bosch Chemistry Lab, Researcher
• College Hispanic American Students, member
• League of United Latin American Citizens, President
• Oxford University Study Abroad, Richter Fellowship Scholar

Daniel is a senior from San Antonio, Texas, majoring in History and Political Science and minoring in Arabic, Africa and Middle East Studies, and Public Policy and International Affairs. He enjoys theater, backpacking, rock climbing, and watersports. After graduation Daniel plans to attend law school before pursuing a career in public policy. 

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• National Merit Finalist
• Eagle Scout
• Tennis Team, Captain

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Highland Capital Management Tower Scholar
• Robert Stewart Hyer Society
• Pre-Law Scholar
• Alpha Chi National College Honor Society
• SMU Men’s Rowing Club, Treasurer
• SMU Historical Society, Programming Chair
• Rock Climbing Club, Treasurer
• Student Foundation, General Member
• Program Council, Associate Member
• Mustang EMS, Member
• Philip H. Solomon Outstanding Language Student in Arabic

Jackson is a senior from San Antonio, Texas, majoring in Art History and International Studies with a European specialization and minoring in Political Science, Public Policy and International Affairs, History, and Italian. He enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and writing. After graduation Jackson plans to earn a Master's degree abroad before returning to the United States for law school.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• National Merit Scholar
• Eagle Scout
• Coolidge Senator

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Student Foundation, Vice President of Programming
• Robert Stewart Hyer Society University Achievement Award
• Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
• Alpha Chi Honor Society
• NexPoint Tower Scholar
• Megan Laird and Raiberto Comini Italian Language Award
• Division of Art History, Undergraduate Research Assistant
• Honor Roll with High Distinction
• University Honors Program
• Pre-Law Scholar
• CVE internship in Uganda
• SMU-in-Tuscany study abroad program

Regan is a senior from San Angelo, Texas, majoring in Business Analytics & Supply Chain Management. She enjoys finding new coffee shops and polaroid photography. After graduation Regan will pursue a career in business and consulting.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Yearbook, Editor-in-Chief
• National Honor Society, President
• Salutatorian

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• BBA Scholar
• Collegiate Consulting Academy
• Honors Mentor
• Eta Sigma Phi Honor Society
• Alpha Chi Honor Society
• Studied Abroad in Denmark, summer 2021

George is a senior from Austin, Texas, majoring in Physics and minoring in Neuroscience. He enjoys rock climbing, skiing and playing soccer. After graduation George plans to attend grad school. 

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• LASA Liberator Newspaper, Editor
• AISD Trustees' Scholar Award, Recipient
• National Merit Commended Scholar

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Society of Physics Students
• SMU Global Medical Brigades
• University Honors Program
• MHPS Honors Mentor
• Rock Climbing Club, President
  • Vice President

Brittney is a senior from Denver, Colorado, majoring in Film and Media Arts and English with a Creative Writing specialization with minors in Arts Entrepreneurship and Arts Management. She enjoys reading, playing volleyball, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her friends. After graduation Brittney will pursue a career in creative development and film producing.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Jay is a senior from Birmingham, Alabama, majoring in Computer Science and Philosophy and minoring in Business. He enjoys making music and running. After graduation Jay plans to pursue a career as a musician or an entrepreneur.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Salutatorian
• National Merit Scholar
• Track and Field Team, Captain
• National Honor Society, President

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• University Honors Program
• Delta Sigma Pi
• GenUN Club

Sayumi is a senior from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, majoring in Biology and Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience and Chemistry. She enjoys playing the violin, singing, and watching Gilmore Girls. After graduation Sayumi will attend medical school.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Robotics Club, President of Marketing
• Young Musicians Camp, Mentor
• Druid City Hospital, Volunteer

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Caswell Leadership Fellow
• Engaged Learning Fellow
• Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholar
• Mustang Heroes Executive Board
• Mental Health Matters, President
• Cardiorespiratory Neurogenetics Laboratory, Research Assistant
• SMU-in-Tuscany Summer 2022

Karmen is a senior from Memphis, Tennessee, majoring in Dance and minoring in Biological Sciences and Applied Physiology and Health Management. She enjoys spending time with friends, making YouTube videos, and photography. After graduation Karmen plans to dance professionally and later attend graduate school to study physical therapy. 

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• National Honors Society
• Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts, Scholarship Recipient

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• University Honors Program
• Mustang Heroes
• Sisters Supporting Sisters

Dinobi is a senior from Germantown, Tennessee, majoring in Health and Society and Psychology and minoring in public policy. She enjoys playing tennis, cooking, and movie-watching. After graduation Dinobi plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatric oncology.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• DECA, Vice President
• Model UN, Secretary
• Student Congress and Policies in Education representative

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• University Honors Program African Student Association, President
• Mustang Heroes, Vice President
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Vice President
• Club Tennis Team, Vice President
• Alpha Epsilon Delta Honors Society
• Undergraduate Admissions Ambassador

Kevin is a senior from Katy, Texas, majoring in Biological Sciences. He enjoys working on cars, exploring nature and studying world health crises. After graduation Kevin will attend dental school.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• AP Scholar with Distinction
• 36 on the ACT
• National Merit Commended

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Mustang Heroes
• HOSA
• The Big Event, member

Nick is a senior from McKinney, Texas, majoring in Health and Society with minors in Art History, Biology, Chemistry and Spanish. He enjoys rock climbing, weight lifting, and playing piano in a band with his friends. After graduation Nick plans to attend medical school.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• National AP Scholar
• Elite Academy All-State
• Varsity Football Team, Captain

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Intramural Sports
• Robert Mayer Research Fellow
• Maguire Public Service Fellow
• Hamilton Fellow 
• Engaged Learning Research Fellow
• Undergraduate Research Assistant
• Dedman College Student Advisory Board
• Phi Beta Kappa, member
• Hyer Society

Ash is a senior from Euless, Texas, majoring in Human Rights and Environmental Anthropology and minoring in Photography. He enjoys hiking, drinking coffee, and dog sitting. After graduation Ash will pursue a career in environmental justice education.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Junior World Affairs Council, President
• World Affairs Council 20 Under 20
• Trinity High School Photo Staff, Head of Staff

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Rotunda Yearbook, Editor-in-Chief
• Human Rights Program, Photo and Video Coordinator
• The Period Project SMU, Executive Director
• Human Rights Council, Strategic Director
• PRIDE at SMU Research Capstone, Director of Photography

Shara is a senior majoring in Human Rights and Music. Shara’s unique academic background informs her ability to address systemic issues with creative solutions. As an SMU Human Rights Fellow, Shara is developing a podcast about the history of SMU through a racial justice lens.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Wind Ensemble, President
• Student Conductor
• Spanish Honor Society, Treasurer

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Human Rights Fellowship
• Human Rights Council
• Poland Holocaust Education Trip with SMU Human Rights
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Kairos Creative and Literary Magazine, Outreach Coordinator

Saavni is a senior from Plano, Texas, majoring in International Studies and Political Science and minoring in Philosophy and Arabic. She enjoys dance, debate and skiing. After graduation Saavni plans to attend law school and pursue a career in diplomacy. 

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Jasper High School and Plano Senior Academic Excellence Award
• National Speech and Debate All Americans Award
• Diploma in Indian Classical Dance

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Mock Trial
• Indian Student Association

Thatcher is a senior from Frisco, Texas, majoring in Psychology and Philosophy with minors in Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, and Computer Science. He enjoys tutoring, writing and crossword puzzles. After graduation Thatcher plans to work in financial services industry research and eventually pursue a Ph.D. in social neuroscience.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• National AP Scholar
• National Honor Society, Vice President
• Texas University Interscholastic League, Social Studies

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Social and Clinical Neuroscience Lab, Project Manager
• Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center, Research Assistant
• Journal of Undergraduate Research, Associate Editor
• Hyer Society
• Psi Chi Honor Society

Aiden is a senior from Cedar Hill, Texas, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Rights, Cognitive Science and Women and Gender Studies. He enjoys writing, reading, and late-night walks. After graduation Aiden plans to get a PhD in Social Psychology. 

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• National Honor Society, Historian
• Carter Blood Drive, Organizer
• Health Professionals Club, Vice President

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• University Honors Program
• SMUSH
• Connect, Mentor
• SMU Cats
• SMU Pride Project, Graphic Designer
• HUB, Director of Diversity and Inclusivity
• McNair Scholars Program
• Anxiety and Depression Research Center at SMU, Research Assistant

Sophie is a senior from Fayetteville, Arkansas, majoring in Management Science, and minoring in Business Administration. She enjoys tennis, figure skating and traveling. After graduation Sophie plans to pursue an MBA. 

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer, President
• Varsity Tennis Team, Captain
• National Hispanic Scholar

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Society of Women Engineers
• Hegi Career Leaders Program
• Alpha Chi Omega
• Club Tennis Team
• SMU Catholic Center

Oliver is a senior from Minnetonka, Minnesota, majoring in Biology and Spanish and minoring in Economics. He enjoys fishing, traveling and skiing. After graduation Oliver plans to attend medical school. 

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

• Lacrosse Team, Captain
• National Honor Society, Executive
• Spanish Club, Captain

SMU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Mustang EMS, Co-President
• Bridwell Institute Reading Goup
• Phi Delta Theta, member
• Alpha Chi Honor Society