SMU junior Arath Dominguez builds a community of support and friendship as a first-generation role model
Arath Dominguez ’25 had a clear vision for his future as he approached his final year at Garland High School. Coming from a large, tight-knit family, he knew maintaining strong familial bonds was essential. Determined to find a college that allowed him to pursue his education without sacrificing his connection to his loved ones, he decided to attend SMU. By prioritizing his family values, Dominguez could ensure he would have the necessary support and encouragement to succeed inside and outside the classroom.
“I come from a family of seven, so I knew I wanted to find a university that would keep me nearby while still providing me with the opportunities I needed to succeed,” Dominguez said. “I was first introduced to SMU by a representative from the University who visited our civil engineering class in high school. The warmth and encouragement I experienced during that visit stayed with me, and the partnerships SMU had in electrical engineering were especially impressive, as it was the field I wanted to pursue at the time. I remember thinking SMU was the perfect choice, especially since it allowed me to be near my loved ones while providing a great education and easy access to companies in the tech industry.”
The SMU junior from the Dallas area is pursuing a B.A. in computer science and a B.S. in data science. His academic journey has been heavily influenced by his involvement in the SMU chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, where he has had opportunities to engage with diverse professionals in his fields of interest. These experiences, combined with interning and interacting with SMU alumni, led him to switch from electrical engineering. “SHPE helped me meet professionals in STEM who looked like me, which inspired me to pursue my current majors,” he explained.
As the first in his family to attend college, Dominguez had to figure out his pathway by conducting independent research on colleges and the application process, learning the intricacies of completing applications, navigating financial limitations and applying for financial aid. He collaborated closely with SMU Student Financial Services to secure the necessary resources to pursue his academic interests. He also explained to the financial aid office why he required more assistance: His goal was to become a better leader and student on campus, and he believed additional aid would assist him in achieving this goal.
“Students may think attending SMU is beyond their financial means, but that’s simply not true. Assistance is available for those who seek it, and I can attest to this personally. After contacting the financial aid office, I can say that they’re more eager to help students who advocate for themselves,” he said.
Thanks to the combination of federal grants, merit scholarships (SMU Distinguished Scholarships, International Baccalaureate Scholarship) and institutional support from the Opportunity SMU Fund and Access SMU scholarship, it was possible for Dominguez to cover almost 95% of his college expenses at SMU.
“Financial aid is a crucial aspect of student success. It liberates us from the financial burden of pursuing higher education, allowing us to focus on our studies without worrying about our families’ financial stability. Without the support of donors, I wouldn’t have been able to attend SMU and accomplish all I’ve learned and done so far,” he said.
Besides his academic pursuits, Dominguez is also the president of the SMU chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and a peer mentor in the Thrive Scholars Program, a student-to-student mentoring program in the Lyle School to promote academic and social support for first-year and transfer students from underrepresented groups in engineering and computer science. Dominguez meets with his mentees biweekly to provide guidance and discuss their short- and long-term goals. He connects with the Thrive Team weekly to plan social events and seminars that focus on various topics, such as navigating imposter syndrome, time management and financial aid.
While receiving financial aid at SMU, he actively sought out additional scholarships and was awarded several, including the SMU Latino Alumni Scholarship and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. “I did not stop looking for scholarships during my undergraduate career. Students are not limited to only getting scholarships during high school.” His own experience obtaining aid taught him the significance of self-advocacy skills, which he is now committed to sharing with students across campus.
“I aim to help students develop the confidence to speak up and make themselves heard when seeking financial assistance,” he said. By sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire and support them along their journey.”
Dominguez is deeply committed to the Thrive Scholars Program, but his dedication to the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers goes even deeper. The organization aims to empower the Hispanic community by helping them achieve their potential and positively impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development. Where the Thrive Scholars Program has given Dominguez vital connections and confidence, SHPE has enabled him to become a true SMU student leader.
“Attending SMU was challenging for me at first, especially because I came from a highly diverse high school where I had a strong network of friends. Thankfully, I was able to make a close friend during the first few weeks of school who was Hispanic, spoke Spanish, and also in Lyle. We made it a point to attend every possible event together, and one of the events we frequented was at SHPE,” Dominguez recalled. “When the first-year committee board applications were released, I applied and was placed on the SHPE Community Outreach Committee alongside students who shared my passions and experiences. My friend also applied and got in, and she now serves on SHPE’s current executive board under my term as president. Every year, SHPE SMU positively impacts new students, and we provide them with a support system to help them find their community.”
According to Dominguez, joining SHPE is not just about the value of community; it’s about the importance of “familia.” And while he expresses gratitude for his family at home — whose steadfast support has consistently motivated him to succeed —his involvement with SHPE has allowed him to discover valuable support systems at SMU that enable students to smoothly transition to college life and achieve academic excellence, including computer centers, expert tutors and career guidance. As the organization’s current president, he is committed to preserving this familial atmosphere while helping others cultivate the same sense of community that has been crucial to his success.
“Thanks to the contacts I made through SHPE, I interned at AT&T as a data scientist, analyzing data and creating internal products for them. This experience solidified my passion for pursuing a career in data science or technology consulting and reinforced my desire to work for a company that values diversity and work-life balance,” he explained. “One of the astounding things about the companies we meet through SHPE is their support of marginalized groups in STEM and other fields. Wherever I work after graduation, I would love to attend the SHPE convention and participate in recruiting future professionals.”
Dominguez understands that a strong foundation is crucial for college success and encourages students to understand the importance of seeking help and asking questions. “Just asking questions is crucial, especially for first-gen students like me. I struggled with this because I didn’t want to reveal that I didn’t know what was going on, even when I didn’t. In hindsight, I would have benefited from asking more questions,” he reflected. “The fact is that everyone learns at a different pace, so where someone else is in their understanding isn’t necessarily where you should be. Failure is a natural part of the learning process, and you need to be open to it to identify areas for growth. So don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you feel like the person next to you has it all figured out. Because the truth is, they probably don’t.”
