Our Student Directors
Meet the Student Director Team
Learn more below about student director team providing momentum to this initiative. Afterwards, check out the faculty and staff team supporting our work.
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Ailsa McCollom
Engage Dallas Student Director for Morrison-McGinnis Commons
Why I Serve:
Why I serve: I want to serve the community I have grown up in my whole life. Living in Dallas for so long, I have been able to see the impact community work can have and I would love to be a part of what makes that happen. I am glad I will be able to give back to this community in a meaningful way.
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Bailey Kamau
Engage Dallas Student Director for Boaz Commons
Why I Serve:
What excites me about the work of Engage Dallas is connecting students to organizations doing change in Dallas. This exposure allows students to understand how they can serve their city. Additionally, it may also give them insight in the type of work they may want to pursue a career in.
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Ben Liu
Engage Dallas Student Director for Kathy Crow Commons
Why I Serve:
Community service has been a passion of mine since high school, and it excites me to continue serving through this position. I love meeting and serving others, working hard to make a difference to the people around us. I look forward to continue serving others and communities around Dallas so that we can create a fruitful environment for everyone in it.
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Chyler Caldwell
Engage Dallas Student Director for Ware Commons
Why I Serve:
I am excited about the opportunity to serve and give back to my community! I'm especially excited that I get to be involved with the commons I have lived in, because it will allow me to be more engaged in the Ware family. The work of Engage Dallas Excites me because it means I get to help people within the SMU community and in Dallas in general, which means the world to me.
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Grace Umba
Engage Dallas Student Director for Loyd Commons
Why I Serve:
I serve because I want to give back to the Dallas community. Growing up in Congo, I was driven by a passion to help my community overcome challenges and thrive. Since moving to America three years ago, I've been eager to bring that same dedication here. Dallas is now my home away from home, and I'm honored to contribute to making our community stronger and better.
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Hannah Green
Engage Dallas Area Coordinator for the North Area
Why I Serve:
I serve because it has provided me with direct opportunities to learn more about the community through doing. Being part of the Engage Dallas initiative is a great opportunity to act, specifically by supporting stigmatized and marginalized communities through student involvement. When students engage and gain a greater understanding of the importance of service, positive change can be made!
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Kate Alonzo
Engage Dallas Student Director for McElvaney Commons
Why I Serve:
I've enjoyed serving with Engage Dallas this past school year and I'm excited to continue! I'm from Dallas so being able to serve my own community and city is a great opportunity. As a college student, I get to serve in my own hometown and Engage Dallas!
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Mackenzie Thierry
Engage Dallas Student Director for Virginia-Snider Commons
Why I Serve:
I serve because I want to make a lifelong impact on my community and the world around me. I have always been passionate about serving my community from a young age and want to inspire change in the hearts of my peers here at SMU. It is essential to learn and understand the problems that arise in our city and use our abilities to help resolve them. I am eager to have the opportunity to instill a positive impact in the greater Dallas community along with my peers through Engage Dallas.
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Manasvi Kanneganti
Engage Dallas Student Director for MHPS Commons
Why I Serve:
Serving Engage Dallas allows me to be connected to my community while also helping other people achieve this goal. Being able to serve my community allows me to have a sense of accomplishment. Through proactive involvement in my community, I can cultivate teamwork, compassion, and a feeling of shared accountability. In the end, working with Engage Dallas gives me a great sense of fulfillment and purpose because I know that we can work together to create a better future for Dallas.
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Patricia Hernandez
Engage Dallas Student Director for Armstrong Commons
Why I Serve:
I am driven to serve as an Engage Dallas Student Director because I am deeply committed to rebuilding communities in need and advocating for those facing homelessness. Engage Dallas provides a platform to not only address important social issues but also to inspire individuals to make a tangible difference. I am excited to collaborate with like-minded peers and to cultivate a culture of compassion and service at SMU!
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Morgan Glover
Engage Dallas Area Coordinator for the Southeast Area
Why I Serve:
I serve in the Dallas community because I am always happy to learn more about this wonderful city. As a person who was born and raised in Dallas, my family has history and roots all over this city and I would like to continue that by being involved and connected with the city. Engage Dallas excites me because it provides ample opportunity to explore Dallas and hear about the experiences and passions of the many people that make up the city.
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Raissa Umwali
Engage Dallas Student Director for Crum Commons
Why I Serve:
I serve because people first served me and now it's my turn. I get joy and fulfillment from creating experiences for people and contributing to my community. I am excited to merge these two and find ways to create change in Dallas.
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Sally Hur
Engage Dallas Student Director for Cockrell-McIntosh Commons
Why I Serve:
Being a newcomer to Dallas, I am beyond excited to acquaint myself with this beautiful community. I look forward to applying my personal passions towards building a brighter and hopeful future for children and youth who will be in my shoes a couple years later.