Here we go, Mustangs!

Hometown: Duncanville, Texas

Major: Music education

Matthew Wortham-Merritt has enjoyed a number of accomplishments during his time at SMU: He’s a Meadows Scholar, a Rotunda Scholar, a Dallas County Mustang Scholar, a student ambassador, secretary of the Association of Black Students and secretary of his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha. But it’s student teaching that helped him find his calling. “I want to be able to go back to my community or communities like mine and influence the next generation of students so I can play my part,” he says. After graduation, he hopes to become a high school choir director, with his sights on eventual master’s and doctorate degrees in education administration. 

“You’re the only person who can determine what your future is going to be like. I didn’t think it was going to be easy for me to find my community or become a student leader, and I was 100% wrong. My first semester, one of my peer counselors told me I should aim to be in an organization in my major and one outside of that, so that’s how I molded my experience.” 

Hometown: Edgewater, New Jersey

Major: Public policy and economics

Minor: Spanish and political science

Kate Morales’ real passion is serving as the director of recruitment, for the Big Event, the largest student-run service project in the nation. “Ask anyone on campus – I’ll chase someone down on Dallas Hall lawn to tell them how wonderful the Big Event is,” Kate Morales laughs. What she loves most is watching people discover a passion for service they didn’t know they had. Morales is also a Hunt Scholar, a tour guide and a member of the Student Senate, who served as an intern at the Bush Center in summer 2022. After graduation, she will move to Austin, where she will work in the business operations and corporate strategy department as part of Visa’s Accelerator Program. 

“SMU has kept me really grounded and surrounded by people who share the same values I do and push me to be the best version of myself. When I looked at other universities, they would push me to achieve, but that’s not the same thing as pushing me to be a better person. Those are not mutually exclusive. I feel grateful to go here.”

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Major: Marketing

Minor: Advertising

As student body president, Sydney Castle has seen the benefit of bringing individuals and groups together. She’s created a forum called the House of Representatives, where presidents of each student organization can come together on a monthly basis for collaboration and support. “That’s been really fun to build from the ground up,” she says. Additionally, the Hunt Scholar, Chi Omega member and Fulbright Scholarship semifinalist has a passion for mental health awareness. Over the past two years, she’s helped If You’re Reading This – an online open letter platform where students, faculty and alumni can share their mental health stories – raise nearly $16,000 for mental health organizations. Next, Castle hopes to work in consulting in Dallas. 

“I’m genuinely so excited for the next chapter. I’m not ready to leave SMU, but SMU has truly given me everything and shaped me into the person I am today. It’s given me confidence I didn’t even know I could have. I couldn’t have asked for anything else.”

Hometown: Reno, Nevada

Major: Finance and economics with financial applications

As 2022 president of Student Foundation and a tour guide, Ben Jaksick knows that campus life is just as important as academics. Working on events like Homecoming, Family Weekend, Celebration of Lights and Perunapalooza, he’s gained experience managing teams and working with board members. “SMU does an exceptional job of teaching you real-world skills and promoting student leadership,” he says. Jaksick worked with other students to form an unofficial fitness and fellowship club and organize financial support for dining hall employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Up next, he plans to stay in Dallas by working in the real estate development field. 

“I, too, can be a leader and make big decisions. If I do fail, I can learn how to make mistakes and learn how to trust myself at this University. I can make a decision, see how it plays out and develop that trust and confidence in myself that I can take into my next phase of life, as well.” 

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Majors: Spanish and marketing

As a transfer student from Dallas College going into her junior year, Brenda Baez was looking to get involved with student organizations as a way to feel plugged into the campus. Though not an engineer, she got involved with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers as its chief marketing officer – and she’s never looked back. “This has definitely been a big year for SHPE,” she says. “It’s one of my proudest accomplishments.” In addition to that, Baez is also involved in the First Generation Association, the College Hispanic American Students and Women in Business. Upon graduation, she hopes to work in Dallas for a local marketing agency. 

“Put yourself out there – especially for transfers. Be open to new experiences. Maybe there’s a club meeting in something you’re not typically interested in, but you might find the most fun people whom you wouldn’t otherwise have met if you hadn’t gone.”

Hometown: Abilene, Texas

Majors: Mechanical engineering and music

Faith Fang has been able to explore all parts of herself while in college. As a music and mechanical engineering double major, she’s pursued engineering and violin performance. She’s been involved in the Asian council and campus ministry – in fact, those two experiences helped her take on leadership in a new way. “I realized there was an intersection missing of Asian Americans involved in campus ministry,” she says. So in January 2022, she helped launch a group that helps embrace cultural identity within the context of faith. After graduation, she will pursue a full-time opportunity with Boston Consulting Group.

“SMU is where I found myself. I have diverse interests and could learn about both of them. I’ve grown as a violinist and an engineer and seen growth in my abilities as a leader and individual. SMU is a place where you can learn and find whatever you’re looking for. The academics are fantastic, but in terms of the growth and the people you meet and the way it challenges you, it’s a great place to grow as an individual. The people really care about you. I learned not to question who I am. I challenge myself and my beliefs, but in terms of confidence in my identity, I found that in college. SMU is a place of discovery.”

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Major: Finance 

Minor: Statistics 

Through her unique interests, Maria Knasel has crafted her own collection of unique experiences on campus. She is involved in an advanced professional development program at the Hegi Family Career Development Center and Women in Investing Club, both of which allow her to strengthen her skills in networking, mentoring and business. She’s also in the Best Buddies club, which pairs students with others in the community who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year, her buddy is Cindy, who lives near Snider Plaza. “I love hanging out with her,” she says. Following graduation, Knasel will attend SMU Dedman School of Law, hoping to practice corporate law or engage in pro bono initiatives in the special needs community. 

“When I came here, I didn’t know my potential. I have learned to go outside my comfort zone. I’ve found role models in students and faculty who push me to try new things. It’s OK to fail and test the waters. You may meet new people that you enjoy spending time with and become the best version of yourself.”

Hometown: Richmond, Virginia

Major: Applied physiology and sports management with concentration in sport performance leadership

Minor: Education

Elizabeth Klevana came to SMU thinking she was interested in graphic design and advertising. But one sport management class completely changed her plan. “I just fell in love with it,” she says. Today, she’s involved in her Tri Delta sorority and serves as an ambassador for Simmons Undergraduate Ambassadors. She’s been nominated for Outstanding Senior Woman by the SMU Mothers’ & Dads’ Clubs, and she’s had the opportunity to work with middle schoolers at the West Dallas STEM School through a program called Pony Connect. “We teach an interactive lesson. Afterwards, we play a sport,” she says. After graduation, she plans to work in the golf industry on tournaments.

“The professors I’ve been with in the Simmons School in sports performance leadership role have pushed me to find myself and go outside of my comfort zone in the best way possible. They’ve made me realize I can do things I never thought were possible. I’m capable of so much more than I thought I was, and I can do anything I set my mind to because I have the resources to help me get to that goal. SMU has brought out a lot of confidence in myself and helped me come into the person I am today.”

Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Major: Finance with a specialization in alternative asset management

Minor: Spanish and history

Mikayla Devin credits the Alternative Asset Management Program in the Cox School of Business with teaching her an array of skills. She learned how to manage her time, work on tight deadlines, learn new things, adapt quickly and deliver a high-quality product. “These experiences are vital for my success in my future career,” she says. Devin has also served as philanthropy chair for her sorority Chi Omega, focusing on fundraising for Make-A-Wish Foundation. “It’s near and dear to my heart,” she says. After graduation, you’ll find her at Goldman Sachs in Chicago, Illinois, where she will work in the investment banking division, focusing on the industrial sector.

“When I came to SMU, I did not have clear plans as to what I wanted to pursue professionally or what I wanted to be involved in on campus. I never thought I would be capable of having a career in high finance, and I’m so thankful to the people I met along the way who encouraged me to pursue this career. The location of SMU is also incredible. There’s nothing quite like Boulevarding on a warm, fall day or enjoying springtime on Dallas Hall lawn.”

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Degree: Juris Doctor

When flooding displaced Kevin Lee and his mother from their home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he found it difficult to finish high school. “I was denied access to school because I didn’t have a permanent address,” he explains. Administrators told him he would need an extra year to catch up – but he caught up in three months. A visit to Texas to look at colleges led him to Paul Quinn College, where he studied business. Now, he’s preparing to graduate from SMU’s Dedman School of Law after clerking for former chief judge Barbara Lynn ’76. Following graduation, he will work as an associate at Haynes and Boone, working in the business litigation department. 

“I really learned to be self-sufficient. Law school has prepared me to do anything because I’m not afraid. I know how to figure out answers. SMU is a great school and has a great reputation in the legal community. There are so many judges and attorneys you’ll run into in the DFW area from SMU. I really learned there are no limits to what I can accomplish.”

Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama

Major: Operations research and engineering management

Minor: Math, arts entrepreneurship and arts management

Chloe Chatham knew she wanted to major in engineering, but by junior year, she missed having a creative outlet – so she added additional minors in the arts. That opened up myriad options for her career. A chat with her dad over Thanksgiving break that year steered her toward Teach For America. “I like to challenge myself in different areas,” she says. Chatham has also served in the INFORMS Student Chapter, is an intern at the George W. Bush Presidential Center and has served as president of Chi Omega. While not pursuing a career in engineering, Chatham has been excited to see support from her professors as she prepares to teach STEM in Dallas.  

“What I really love about SMU is that I have a multifaceted education. I feel like I’ve been able to pursue different areas. Going into education doesn’t scare me, because I’ve done so many things that aren’t in my particular major. I’ve learned a lot of things that I wouldn’t have otherwise. It expands your worldview to meet different people and see what others are doing.”

Hometown: Curitiba, Brazil

Major: Master of Sacred Music

Fernando Berwig Silva was working as a music director at a Lutheran church in his home country of Brazil before deciding to pursue a master’s in sacred music at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. “The faculty we have in sacred music is unique in the world,” he says. “The professors and staff were quick to help me identify my calling.” During the two-year program, he has held a number of different positions, including Perkins Chapel assistant, where he led biweekly worship, and special assistant to the Sacred Music Program, where he helps with rehearsals and research. Next up, he will continue to explore the intersection of culture and Christianity by pursuing a PhD in Religious Studies at SMU. 

“I learned that I can be disciplined and that I can grow. I found myself way more prepared to face challenges, which was something that I didn’t think I was ready for. Coming here showed me that I can do that. It’s a portal to another world – it opens your mind.”