Here on the hilltop, students work around the clock to bring you events like Celebration of Lights, answer phones for SMU Rides, represent you on Student Senate and perform in productions like Brown Bag. But, did you know that there is a group of students who also work hard to represent the student perspective on the SMU Board of Trustees?
SMU is one of only a small number of universities across the country that allows a student to serve as a full voting member of its Board of Trustees, a testament of the university’s continued commitment to the students. I have the privilege to serve alongside alumni and friends of SMU such as First Lady Laura Bush, philanthropic leader Ruth Altshuler, stadium benefactor Gerald J. Ford and Dallas businessman Carl Sewell. SMU’s 40 Trustees are highly respected and successful individuals who have contributed to our University in many ways.
As a Student Trustee, I am honored to represent the student perspective on the Board, as well as on many of its standing committees. Not only is a student appointed to the Board each year, but there is also one faculty representative and one alumni representative. Dr. Rhonda Blair is currently serving as the Faculty Senate President and Marcus Malonson (’93) serves as the SMU Alumni Board Chair. It is an opportunity we approach with a sense of great responsibility, and are committed to the same level of integrity and confidentiality as our fellow Trustees.
The Board of Trustees meets four times each year in September, December, February and May. The Thursday meeting includes an executive session and various committee meetings and the full Board meets on Friday. One student serves as a full voting member of each of the Board’s standing committees, with the exception of two students on the Student Affairs committee. Student Body President Taylor Russ also serves as a non-voting member of the Student Affairs Committee, and reports on behalf of the Students’ Association at each meeting.
The mission of the Student Representatives to the Board of Trustees is to serve as liaisons between the SMU student body and the Board of Trustees. We seek to gain input to represent student perspectives fairly and completely to both the Board and the administration. If you do not know them, take a minute to get to know your Student Representatives. They are extremely bright, involved, open minded, and represent many sectors of SMU.
Academic policy, planning and management: Chelsea Hilliard
Hilliard, a senior art history major and University Honors Program student, came to SMU for the equestrian team. She has been involved in LEAD (2006 President), the Maguire Center and Chi Omega sorority. She is a University Scholar, an All-American Collegiate Scholar, a member of the Hyer Society and Golden Key. Chelsea hopes to attend law school in the fall.
Athletics: Andrew Galloway
Galloway is a junior marketing major and proud member of the SMU football team. The BBA Scholar has been an AARO leader, winner of The Big Shot sports marketing competition and is a member of Voices of Inspiration Gospel Choir. Andrew is also a Cox Ambassador and member of Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity.
Buildings and grouds: Brian Albrecht
Albrecht, a senior President’s Scholar, is a finance and English double major. He co-founded the Cox Entrepreneurial Organization (CEO) and served as its president for three years. An Eagle Scout, Brian volunteers with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of North Texas and serves as an SMU tour guide. He plans on attending law school in the fall.
Development and external affairs: Gabe Travers
Travers is a senior Hunt Scholar pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism with a Spanish minor. He has served as the Student Body Secretary, an AARO leader and director, a Mustang Corral leader, and is active in his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha. Gabe also works on the Daily Update and has interned with CBS-11.
Finance: Lauren Smith
Smith, a senior University Honors Program student, is an accounting and French double major. The BBA Scholar has served as the Student Senate Finance Chair, French Club president and is the current Students’ Association Comptroller. Lauren had an accounting internship at HBK Investments and plans on joining the audit staff at Ernst & Young in New York City after graduation.
Investment: Kyle Carlton
Carlton is concurrently pursuing his Law and M.B.A. degrees. He was an honors student at Texas A&M University and graduated with a B.A. in finance. As an undergrad, he was one of the top 12 student leaders. At SMU, he has served in many organizations, including Student Senate. He works part time for a large, Dallas-based law firm.
Student affairs: Pavielle Chriss
Chriss is a senior psychology major and has served as the Association of Black Students President, a Student Foundation ambassador, and officer for Golden Key. Pavielle is a campus tour guide and serves on the University Judicial Council. She is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board and the Hyer Society.
Student affairs: Garrett Haake
A senior President’s Scholar, Haake is pursuing a journalism degree with a political science minor. He served as The Daily Campus Sports Editor, works on the Daily Update and is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Garrett is an avid SMU athletics fan and enjoys attending Meadows performances. He has interned with the Dallas Cowboys and NBC News in New York City.
Want to know where your tuition dollars go? Talk to Smith. Wondering what is being built on Binkley? Talk to Albrecht. Curious about the Provost candidates? Talk to Hilliard. The Student Representatives to the Board of Trustees are here for you, the students, to ensure a bright future for our University. It is our responsibility to bear in mind what is in the best interest of our University as we continue to make strides to become a top-tier institution. As we approach the next Capital Campaign and look ahead to celebrate SMU’s centennial, rest assured students will be well represented.
The Board meets this Thursday and Friday, Dec. 7 and 8.
About the writer:
Liz Healy is a senior advertising and CCPA major. She can be reached a [email protected].
