Meet the Leaders
Natalia Silvera
HOMETOWN
Panama City, Panama
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Bachelor's in Psychology
ABOUT ME
Hi everyone! My name is Natalia and I’m very excited to serve as your International Leader this year. I hope to facilitate for you all a successful adaptation process to college in the US that allows you to feel as much at home here as I do. Campus-life in a close-knit community like SMU is perfect in the heart of a metropolitan city like Dallas: you never fall short of things to explore. My perfect plan includes taking a walk around Highland Park and having some frozen yogurt before heading back to campus to hang out with friends on Dallas Hall Lawn or catch up on some studying on Fondren Library’s Fourth Floor ;)
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any SMU-related questions. We can’t wait to meet you all!
Ana Sofia Rodriguez
HOMETOWN
Puebla, Mexico
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Environmental Engineering Major
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Ana Sofia Rodriguez, and I’m a senior majoring in Environmental Engineering here at SMU. I love SMU for its year-round activities and events that keep you engaged, and Dallas offers a wealth of communities for people with specific interests. In my free time, I enjoy working with ceramics, watching TV shows, and exploring new places. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all better soon! Feel free to email me so we can connect!
Jonathan Kalach
HOMETOWN
Mexico City, Mexico
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Economics Major
ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Jonathan Kalach Chelminsky from Mexico City. I’m currently studying Economics at SMU. I chose SMU because it’s close to home and offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with people from all over. What I love most about being here is how welcoming everyone is, especially to international students like myself. When I'm not studying, you can find me playing soccer, enjoying music, or strolling around campus. I’m excited to meet new students and am happy to help with any questions you might have!
Malik Abdulrahman
HOMETOWN
Saudi Arabia
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Chemistry Major | Minor in Biology and Neuroscience
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Malik Abdulrahman, and I am a senior from Saudi Arabia. I’m majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Biology and Neuroscience. I chose SMU because of its diversity and the people here. I enjoy playing football (the real one) and volleyball, and I also love playing video games. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about what’s expected of an international student!
Sultan Alanazy
HOMETOWN
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
MAJOR/PROGRAM
PhD student at the Computer Science Department
ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Sultan Alanazy, I love to meet people and discover their cultures. I have a long experience in working at student's organizations at different universities such as IAU, USC, and SMU. Moreover, I have been a student at SMU since 2016, and I can say the SMU campus is so special for every Mustang! My best memory at SMU was when I attended "the Game Day" for the first time and watched SMU win! I'm so excited to get to know more international students!
Jose Ayala
HOMETOWN
Ecuador
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Economics with Financial Applications Major | Political Science Minor
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Jose Ayala, and I am from Ecuador. I’m currently majoring in Economics with Financial Applications and minoring in Political Science. I love SMU for the amazing people and the valuable connections it has provided me, as well as the vibrant networking scene. I also enjoy exploring the campus and the city. I’m interested in UFC and the stock market, and in my free time, I love going to the gym and taking long drives.
Laura Rojas
HOMETOWN
Oaxaca, Mexico
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Double major in Finance and French | Law and Legal Reasoning Minor
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Laura Rojas, and I am a rising junior at SMU. I’m actively involved in various campus organizations, which has allowed me to meet many new people. One of my favorite hobbies is going to the gym and spending time with friends. I’m really excited to meet both new and current international students and explore the SMU experience together!
Sultan Alanazy
HOMETOWN
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
MAJOR/PROGRAM
PhD student at the Computer Science Department
ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Sultan Alanazy. I love meeting people and learning about different cultures. I have extensive experience working with student organizations at various universities, including IAU, USC, and SMU. I’ve been a student at SMU since 2016, and I truly believe the SMU campus is special for every Mustang! One of my favorite memories at SMU was attending 'Game Day' for the first time and watching SMU win! I’m excited to connect with more international students and learn from their experiences.
Renata Cardenas
HOMETOWN
Mexico City, Mexico
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Sports Management Major | Advertising Major
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Renata Cardenas, and currently, I am a rising junior at SMU. I'm a huge fan of automobile sports, especially Formula 1 and Indy car racing but I'm always up for exploring new sports and understand their event coordination. Coming to Dallas for college was a new experience for me, and I must say that I absolutely adore this city. Dallas offers plenty of activities and attractions, providing endless opportunities for enjoyment. Among the various aspects that I appreciate about Dallas, one of my absolute favorites is visiting the coffee shops around the city. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to write me!
Lucia Hinojosa
HOMETOWN
Mexico City, Mexico
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Economics Major | Art History Major
Minor in Art Management and Entrepreneurship
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Lucia Hinojosa, and I’m from Mexico City. I’m currently in my senior year, double majoring in Economics and Art History, with a minor in Art Management and Entrepreneurship. I love Dallas for its vibrant art scene and the diverse range of restaurants it offers. I also have a great appreciation for the SMU campus. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, traveling to new places, and reading new books. I’m passionate about meeting new people and creating memorable experiences.
Muxin Ge
HOMETOWN
China
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Economics Major | Data Science Major
Minor in Computer Science
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Muxin Ge, and I’m from China. I’m a rising sophomore majoring in Economics and Data Science, with a minor in Computer Science, and I’ll be graduating in May 2027. I chose SMU because of the amazing people and the freedom I have here. I love playing football and basketball, and I’m also interested in investing in the stock market. It’s very nice to meet you all—please feel free to contact me!
Adele LeBlanc
HOMETOWN
Canada
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy
ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Adele LeBlanc, and I am from Canada. I’m pursuing a master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. I love SMU and Dallas because the city is rich in music culture and a great hub for piano enthusiasts. The piano is my specialty, but I also enjoy discovering new things and connecting with new people. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Samuel Xie
HOMETOWN
Shanghai, China
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Bachelor's in Psychology
Minors in Chinese, Religious Studies, and Education
ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Xixiang Xie (Samuel Xie), and I’m from China. I’m currently pursuing a major in Psychology, along with minors in Chinese, Religious Studies, and Education. I love studying at SMU because it’s situated in the culturally rich heart of Dallas. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, playing pickleball, and spending time with friends. Feel free to chat with me and don’t hesitate to ask any questions!
Savannah Coventry
HOMETOWN
Mazabuka, Zambia
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Management with Entrepreneurship Specialization
ABOUT ME
Hey! My name is Savannah Coventry, and I’m an undergraduate sophomore at SMU. I’ve been to boarding school in a couple different countries and I love to travel so I’ve had the opportunity to experience many different cool cultures. I tend to keep myself busy around campus as I am a part of DSP business fraternity on campus, and I am on the women’s polo team. I love to play sports and dance in my free time or maybe read a book if I feel like relaxing. One of my favorite things to do around Dallas is visit the great restaurants with my friends! Please feel free to reach out if you need anything!
Rasiq Hussain
HOMETOWN
Hyderabad, India
MAJOR/PROGRAM
Master's in Software Engineering
ABOUT ME
Hi everyone! My name is Rasiq Hussain, and I’m from Hyderabad, India. I’m a graduate student studying Software Engineering. What I love most about SMU and Dallas is the food! The variety the city provides is fantastic. In my free time, you can catch me either playing soccer, listening to music from my record player collection, or watching sci-fi and mystery movies. Hope to see you at the events organized by the international office—feel free to email me if you need any help!
Yashasvi Raghavendra
HOMETOWN
India
MAJOR/PROGRAM
MBA Program
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Yashasvi, and I’m from India. I’m currently a full-time student in the MBA program. I love SMU because they’ve provided me with the opportunity to have a mentor throughout my studies. My hobbies include mountain climbing and playing football. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about the MBA program!