About Us

The Honors & Scholars Department is housed in Student Academic Engagement and Success

SMU offers an extensive range of Honors and Scholars programs for SMU students. Those contained in the Honors & Scholars department are: the Hilltop Scholars Program, the Rotunda Scholars Program, the University Honors Program, the Mustang Scholars Program, and the President’s Scholars Program. Our dynamic programs are designed to provide unique academic opportunities, interdisciplinary seminars, and hands-on activities that will immediately challenge and expand your thinking. With a focus on academic enrichment, our programs offer a diverse array of experiences that will engage and inspire you.

For more information, contact Program Coordinator, Alexandra Thibeaux: 214-768-2508

Faculty & Staff

  • Headshot, Dr. David D. Doyle. David wears a tweed jacket over a blue and white striped shirt. He wears a beige and brown spotted bow tie and circular tortoise shell glasses.

    Dr. David D. Doyle, Jr.

    Dean, Honors & Scholars Programs
    214-768-2813

    Dr. David D. Doyle was raised in northern New Hampshire and graduated from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire with a degree in History. A Master's Degree in American History followed from New York University. Working with historians Martin Duberman, David Nasaw, and Randolph Trumbach, Dr. Doyle completed the Ph.D. in American History from the City University of New York. His fields of interest within American History are the study of gender and sexuality and he is currently at work on a book examining male sexuality in late nineteenth century New York and New England. He has published reviews and articles in Reviews in American History, The Journal of the History of Sexuality, and the American Historical Association Lesbian Gay History Newsletter

    Dr. Doyle is the recipient of two of the highest awards at SMU: the Rotunda Outstanding Faculty award ('05-'06) and the "M" Award ('06-'07).

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  • Dr. Brandon Gray Miller is a white man, dressed in a navy blue suit jacket, light blue oxford button up, and red & navy blue striped tie. The background is a path towards Dallas Hall.

    Dr. Brandon Gray Miller

    Assistant Dean, Honors & Scholars Programs
    Director, University Honors Program
    214-768-4543

    Dr. Miller grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and graduated from Appalachian State University with degrees in History and Journalism. He then completed a Ph.D. in Russian and East-Central European History at Michigan State University.  Dr. Miller currently is at work on a book exploring gender, material culture, and everyday life in the final Soviet decades.

    Since arriving at SMU in 2013, he has taught a variety of European history courses including “Surviving Fascism & Communism in East-Central Europe,” “WWII in Europe,” and the second half of the Western Civilization survey.

    When away from campus, he enjoys keeping up with contemporary Russian literature and spending time in Far West Texas.

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    Dr. Marta Krogh

    Director, Hilltop Scholars Program
    Senior Lecturer, Writing and Reasoning
    214-768-3952

    Marta Krogh has taught in the Writing and Reasoning department since 2007, and she hopes that students will leave her class being more confident writers and critical thinkers.  Serving in several Administrative roles, Marta acted as the Director of the New Century Scholars Program from 2010-2014.  Currently she is the Director of the Hilltop Scholars Program, a first-year honors program for students interested in leadership and community service. Marta teaches writing courses for Hilltop Scholars, and she loves working with the HSP students as they are some of the most engaged students at SMU.  She has a PhD in English, with a focus on American Literature.

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    Logan Swafford

    Program Coordinator, Hilltop Scholars Program

    Logan Swafford is the coordinator for both the Hilltop Scholars Program and Honors & Scholars. Originally from San Antonio, Logan attended the University of North Texas as a first-generation student where they received a bachelor’s in Communication Studies and History, with a minor in LGBTQ & Women Studies. While there, Logan became a member of the service-focused fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, where servant leadership became their guiding philosophy and frame for their personal and professional path.
    After graduating, Logan continued to hold a variety of positions within the non-profit and education world, often focusing on their passion of community engagement and leadership development.

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  • A professional headshot of a smiling woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair, wearing a navy blue blouse, pearl earrings, and a gold necklace with pearl accents. She is positioned in front of a white paneled background, looking directly at the camera with a warm and friendly expression.

    Alicia Schortgen

    Director, Mustang Scholars Program
    214-768-4902


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  • Maria Izaguirre is a latina woman with dark brown hair. She wears a black blouse and a blue cardigan. The background is the classic red bricks used in most SMU buildings.

    Maria Izaguirre

    Program Specialist for Scholars Programs
    (214) 768-6776

    Maria Izaguirre, a Dallas Native, earned bachelor's degrees in Human Rights, Psychology, and Sociology from SMU. Before joining the team as a Program Specialist for Scholars Programs, Maria was the Postbaccalaureate Fellow for the SMU Human Rights Program. Maria is currently a candidate for a Master of Science in Counseling at SMU.

    When not working or studying, Maria enjoys taking long walks at White Rock Lake with her dogs, spending time with her cat, attending concerts, and trying new coffee shops.

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  • A woman with long, wavy dark hair and a warm smile. She is wearing a black, ribbed sweater with a collared neckline, gold hoop earrings, and a delicate gold necklace. The background is softly blurred, showing steps, greenery, and classical-style columns of a university building.

    Logan Swafford

    Director, Rotunda Scholars Program
    214-768-4032

    Nikole Juarez, Director of Rotunda Scholars, Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), earned her B.A in Political Science from San Diego State University and her M. Ed. in Counseling-Student Affairs from Texas Christian University. Before joining the ACE staff in July 2019, she worked as a counseling intern for TCU’s TRIO, Student Support Services. She also served as the graduate assistant for TCU’s Undergraduate Academic Initiatives, helping first-year students transition to college life. Originally from Southern California, Nikole enjoys being outdoors and traveling.

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  • Alexandra Thibeaux is a white woman with short curly hair, cut in a pixie style. She is wearing a red short-sleeved polo with a blue mustang embroidered on the left pocket area. The background is the blurred path towards Dallas Hall.

    Alexandra Thibeaux

    Program Coordinator, Scholars' Den
    214-768-2508

    Alexandra (Alex) Thibeaux returned to the Hilltop in August 2017. She was an undergraduate student at SMU from 2009-2013 and was an active member of the University Honors Program as well as a student athlete on the rowing team. Her closest friends in college were fellow students in the Honors program and residents of the SMU Service House. After graduating from SMU, Alex taught elementary school in Dallas for 4 years and earned her M.Ed in Special Education from the University of North Texas in 2017. She is currently a candidate for a Master's of Science in Data Science at SMU. As Program Coordinator, she coordinates the Hilltop Scholars Program, Mustang Scholars Program, President's Scholars Program, University Honors Program, as well as the Hyer Society.

    When not working or studying, Alex enjoys playing rugby for the Dallas Harlequins Women's Rugby Team, spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, and telling her German Shepherd, Gatsby, what a good boy he is.

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