SMU Today // August 6, 2026

SMU Welcomes Largest Class of New Mustangs This Fall

More than 1,800 first-year students will join the SMU community this fall, making the Class of 2030 the largest incoming class in University history. Applications have increased by nearly 60% over the past two years, reflecting growing demand for an SMU education and the University’s continued momentum.

The class also ranks among the nation’s strongest academically. Among students who reported ACT scores and class rank, the average ACT places them in the top 5% nationally, nearly half graduated in the top 10% of their high school class, and more than 80% completed AP or IB coursework.

Help Welcome the Class of 2030

Faculty and staff are invited to help welcome our newest Mustangs during Move-In and Stampede, August 14–23. Whether you're greeting students and families as they arrive or helping make the first week a memorable experience, your time makes a difference.

Move-In (August 14-15): Residence Life and Student Housing is recruiting volunteers to help greet and guide families on move-in days.

Stampede (August 14–23): Orientation & Transitions is seeking volunteers to assist with check-in and late check-in, help students navigate campus, serve as Discover Dallas chaperones, and more. View the Stampede schedule here.

First Week of Classes (August 24-28): Email orientation@smu.edu to sign up as a Hilltop Helper during the first week of classes. Employees will be stationed at campus information tents to help students navigate campus while sharing maps, snacks, and information about your department.

Around the Hilltop

Academic Excellence and Research

Creative Computing, MADI and SMU Guildhall are coming together in Meadows School of the Arts’ new Division of Design, which will welcome the first students in the new B.A. in Game Development program this fall.
More than 1,800 square feet of new lab space gives Lyle School of Engineering students and researchers hands-on experience with artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones and digital twins.

Innovation, People and Community Impact

A record 42 SMU students interned in Washington, D.C. over the summer, gaining experience in congressional offices, think tanks, news organizations and federal agencies while building connections with fellow Mustangs and local alumni.
Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences’ Human Rights Program is celebrating 20 years of preparing students to recognize and address injustice through classroom learning, global travel and engagement with human rights leaders.
The Perkins School of Theology announced a $3 million gift to create The Reverend Charles R. Millikan, D.Min., Endowed Chair of Spiritual Care, expanding opportunities for students preparing for chaplaincy and healthcare ministry.
Dedman School of Law Professor Christine Hurt has been elected to the American Law Institute, a distinction recognizing her professional achievement and contributions to securities law and corporate governance.
The Cox School of Business welcomed nearly 30 rising high school seniors to its fifth annual Subiendo Academy, where students explored their academic and career potential and heard success stories from program alumni.
Discover a lesser-known chapter of North Texas history through the SMU Libraries’ Kidd-Key College collection, which documents a women’s college with Methodist ties that predated SMU and later welcomed its graduates into the SMU alumni community.

Community Notes

Lyle Leadership Transition
Nader Jalili has decided to step down as the Mary and Richard Templeton Dean of the Lyle School of Engineering to return to the faculty and devote his full attention to research and teaching. Dean Jalili will remain in his role through August 17 to help ensure a smooth start to the academic year, after which Dinesh Rajan will serve as interim dean.

Support Students’ Career Readiness
Professional Clothing Donations for the Career Closet will be accepted through August 14 at the Hegi Family Career Development Center. On-campus pickup is also available.

Student Academic Engagement and Success Services Relocate to Blanton
The Tutoring and Writing Center, Academic Skill Development and Dallas College Pathway Program are now in Blanton Suite 400. DASS has moved to the third floor, joining other academic support offices.

OCRL Moving to Canterbury House
The new space for the Office of Chaplain and Religious Life at 3308 Daniel Avenue offers a place for students and employees to connect, gather and explore spiritual life at SMU.

A Simpler Way to Clock In and Out
Enhanced navigation in my.SMU makes WebClock easier for hourly employees and student workers to use from a computer or mobile device. Physical time clocks will be deactivated August 7.

Plan Ahead for the Fall Semester
Fall classes begin August 24. Review the academic calendar for enrollment deadlines, holidays, breaks, final exams and other important dates throughout the semester.

Building on a Successful Pilot
SMU is modernizing mass email communications by delivering more relevant messages and reducing unnecessary email. See how the initiative is improving internal communications, including the introduction of a new Subscription Center.

New Campus Landmark Unveiled
The SMU Ignited Plaza honors the donors and volunteers whose support helped fund transformational projects and advance the University’s strategic priorities.

SMU in the News

Dallas Morning News: As employers increasingly seek AI-literate graduates, SMU Cox is responding with a new three-course undergraduate AI specialization launching this fall.

D CEO: Bobby Lyle, namesake of SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering and a longtime University trustee, will receive D CEO’s inaugural Leadership Excellence Legacy Award for his decades of business, civic and philanthropic leadership.

KERA: Lyle Engineering professor Khaled Abdelghani explains how autonomous vehicles could ease traffic congestion, reduce crashes and expand transportation access for seniors and people with disabilities.

Sports Illustrated: SMU Athletics recorded its strongest fundraising year to date, securing nearly $100 million in donor investments to support scholarships, student-athlete resources and the University’s pursuit of championships.

Sports Illustrated: SMU Football launched its “K7NG OF DALLAS” campaign for quarterback Kevin Jennings, highlighting his record-setting career and bid to become the University’s first Heisman Trophy winner since Doak Walker in 1948.

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