University Strategic Fellows

The University Strategic Fellows provides a bespoke leadership opportunity for SMU students to develop their skills and talents through engagement with Strategic Plan Imperative teams, while contributing student perspectives to strengthen the teams’ focus on the student experience. The Fellows program launches in fall 2026 and in this inaugural year is sponsored by the Office of the President and Strategic Plan Leadership.

Each of the Strategic Imperative Teams will host one or more Fellows:

  • Transformative Teaching and Programs
  • Research That Matters
  • Athletic Impact
  • Exceptional Experiences
  • Principled Leadership

Fellows will be SMU juniors, seniors, and graduate students with a strong academic record who demonstrate a range of experiences and backgrounds and demonstrated engagement or leadership experience within the SMU community. 

Fellows serve a term of one year attending Imperative meetings, events, and related activities; planning and executing opportunities to gather broad student input and feedback related to Strategic Plan initiatives; and providing additional support to Imperative Co-Chairs as needed. While we anticipate the time commitment to vary, participants should plan for approximately three to four hours per week. 

 

A powerful team of Mustangs.

 

Transformative Teaching and Programs

Co-Leads
Bryan Stone
Melissa Chessher
James Linck

Fellows
Camille Nguyen
Fiona Furtney
Ruth Assefa

Research That Matters

Co-Leads
Janan Jayawickramarajah
Dinesh Rajan
Annie Wilhelm

Fellows
Katerina Chrysanthakopoulos
Charlie Craft
Luisa Tilhe

Athletic Impact

Co-Leads
Michael Harris
Sheri Kunovich
Damon Evans

Fellows
Andrew Fiser
Sydney Loutit

Exceptional Experiences

Co-Leads
K.C. Mmeje
Stephen Yeager
Holly Jeffcoat

Fellows
Damondre Lynn
Riley Murray

Principled Leadership

Co-Leads
Shilo Brooks
Rita Kirk
James Lee

Fellows
Isabella Singleton
Tessa Trivax