SMU Cox School of Business

What does it take to launch a successful career in today's job market?

Recently, SMU Cox Director of Full-Time MBA and MBA Direct Career Programs Judi Umali-Rajkumar joined NPR's Here & Now to discuss the realities today's graduates face as they transition from the classroom to the workforce.

Judi shared practical advice for navigating a competitive job market, emphasizing the importance of building meaningful connections, telling your story effectively and remaining open to opportunities that may not look exactly as planned.

Congratulations to Judi for sharing her expertise on a national platform about career readiness, professional growth and the future of work.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation: https://smucox.biz/4vk1TtS

And, whether you're preparing for your first job search or considering your next career move, explore the resources available through the SMU Cox Career Management Center to help you navigate what's next https://smucox.biz/4uJpgMq

Dallas has become one of the country's most dynamic places to build a business and this summer, a new group of founders is stepping up to the challenge.

This week, we welcomed Cohort #2 of the Spears LAUNCH Accelerator at the SMU Cox School of Business. Over the next several weeks, these student entrepreneurs will work alongside mentors, investors and experienced founders to test ideas and refine their business models.

At SMU Cox, entrepreneurship isn't limited to the classroom alone. We're excited to support this cohort as they turn ambition into action and contribute to the entrepreneurial momentum shaping Dallas and beyond.

Thank you to the mentors, investors and community leaders who joined us for kickoff and are helping make this experience possible.

🚀 Save the date: Demo Day is August 18 at the Bush Center. More details coming soon.

SMU Cox is making it easier for qualified candidates interested in our Working Professional MBA programs to fast-track their the next step with our new Concierge Admission Review.

Through this limited-time pathway, prospective students may receive:
✔️ An expedited admission interview
✔️ Personalized concierge application support
✔️ An accelerated admission review with scholarship consideration

Candidates who complete the process and submit their application by June 29 can receive a final admission decision as early as July 1.

Whether you're interested in our Executive MBA, Professional MBA, Online MBA or MBA Direct program, our team is ready to help you identify the best fit for your goals, leadership experience and schedule.

Start your Concierge Admission Review today! https://bit.ly/4xmPUgD

Want to learn more before applying? Join us on June 16 for Walk the Hilltop with SMU Cox Graduate Admission, an opportunity to explore campus and learn more about our graduate business programs. Register: https://smucox.biz/43yYDP4

Good business is built on good relationships, and few relationships are more impactful than those between mentors and students.

Through the B.B.A. Mentor Alliance and M.S. Career Advisory Board, SMU Cox students are paired with alumni mentors who provide guidance, industry insights, and support as they navigate their academic and professional journeys.

Earlier this month, the SMU Cox Career Management Center celebrated another successful year of mentorship programming and recognized five alumni with the Distinguished Mentor Award for the meaningful impact they made through one-on-one mentorship.

🏆 Karla Mantilla, B.B.A. Mentor Alliance – Accounting
🏆 Scott Davey, B.B.A. Mentor Alliance – Data Analytics
🏆 Russ Patrick, B.B.A. Mentor Alliance – Marketing
🏆 Umair Surani, M.S. Career Advisory Board – M.S.E.S.M.
🏆 Mahima Garg, M.S. Career Advisory Board – M.S.B.A.

Thank you to all of our mentors–your wisdom helps strengthen the entire SMU Cox community.

Interested in becoming a mentor? We're currently seeking alumni mentors for the 2026–27 academic year across our B.B.A. and Specialized Master's programs: https://bit.ly/49TKEXI

One of the things that makes SMU Cox such an exciting place to be is the willingness to turn ideas into action.

Congratulations to the Full-Time Two-Year MBA students in this spring’s Unbridled Venture Project course on an outstanding final showcase of entrepreneurial thinking, creativity and problem-solving.

Throughout the semester, these students transformed early-stage ideas into compelling business opportunities, applying entrepreneurial frameworks to navigate uncertainty, test assumptions and tackle real-world challenges.

After presentations from eight finalist teams, judges selected this year's top ventures:

🏆 1st Place ($1,500): Pharma Dream
🥈 2nd Place ($1,000): Hydralytics
🥉 3rd Place ($500): Archer

Classmates also recognized teams with Class Choice Awards:

Best Plot Twist: Apex and SquadUp
Can't Stop Thinking About This Idea: Protein Proof and Park Cities Futbol Club
Too Big to Stay Small: BetterWay and Double Nickel Land Advisors

A special thank you to Professor of Practice Emily Choi and Spears Institute Executive Director Josh Taylor for guiding students through the entrepreneurial journey, and to the distinguished panel of judges for sharing their expertise and insights.

Ready to level up your career? The SMU Cox Full-Time Two-Year MBA combines hands-on learning, entrepreneurial experiences and access to Dallas' thriving business community. Learn more about the program:

https://www.smu.edu/cox/business-degrees/mba-programs/two-year-mba/admissions?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=program-news&utm_content=degrees-programs

Calling on our Mustang network!

The SMU Career Closet Pop-Up is currently accepting donations of new and gently used professional clothing and accessories, including suits, blazers, dress shirts, slacks, skirts, dresses, ties and shoes.

Returning to campus August 26, the Pop-Up provides FREE business professional attire to SMU students preparing for interviews, networking events, internships and their first professional roles.

Every donation helps a student step confidently into their future.

📅 Donation period: Now through August 14, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., M-F
📍 Drop Off Center: Hegi Family Career Development Center, Hughes-Trigg Student Center, Suite 126

Join us in making professional opportunities more accessible for every Mustang.

Celebrating the people who power the Cox experience. 👏

Nearly 100 SMU Cox faculty and staff gathered at the Collins Center for our annual Faculty and Staff Recognition Awards - an inspiring reminder that excellence in business education starts with exceptional people. Emceed by Dean Todd Milbourn, the event honored achievements in teaching, research, service and the everyday dedication that drives outstanding student outcomes.

We’re proud to recognize seven outstanding faculty members for their impact across the classroom, research and broader community, and 11 exceptional staff members, nominated by their peers, whose leadership and commitment help shape the student experience every day.

Congratulations to our faculty honorees: Wayne Crawford, Russ Hamilton, Don Shelly, Jane Tan, Nils Van den Steen, Kumar Venkataraman and Zhen Zhang.

And to our staff honorees: Sumaiya Ahmad, Laurie Ann Barbosa, Saquoya Fentress, Emily Hancz-Glim, Staphany Lopez-Coronado, Alicia Love, Julie Maass, Jill McGinness, Ian O’Neil, Judi Umali-Rajkumar and Elizabeth Wierzbicki.

Your excellence, innovation and dedication elevate our community, and help ensure our community thrives.

Just before May commencement, Executive MBA scholars put their ideas to the test at the 2026 EMBA Business Plan Competition, an exciting capstone of the Unbridled Leadership: Cox IMPACT Practicum, taught by Adjunct Professor John Terry.

Twelve teams built ventures from the ground up, with four finalists advancing to pitch before an esteemed panel of venture capital leaders for top prizes of $10K, $5K and $2K. Congratulations to first-place team D10 Therapeutics - Kevin Smith, Collins Anaba, Metasebya Solomon and Jose Bolivar - for their standout innovation and entrepreneurial vision.

We’re grateful to our distinguished judges, Pialy Aditya, John Adler (B.S.E.E. ’84, MBA ’90) and Michael Segrest, for their time and expertise supporting these rising business leaders.

Experience the impact of our Executive MBA program in person at our upcoming EMBA-only Open House and Class Visit on June 13. Space is limited - register today! https://smucox.biz/4dYod4M

Discover how learning truly comes to life at SMU Cox.

In a special episode of the Clear Admit MBA Podcast, hear how experiential learning, leadership development and real-world industry engagement prepare our students to move confidently from classroom to career. Featuring insights from Joseph Cahoon, director of the SMU Cox Folsom Institute for Real Estate, this conversation highlights the hands-on approach that defines the Cox MBA experience - and the advantage of learning in Dallas.

🎧 Tune in to explore how we turn knowledge into impact: https://bit.ly/4vwN5Ie

SMU Cox was proud to serve as presenting sponsor of the @‌Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 Awards, which recognize rising leaders shaping the future of North Texas.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees, including several outstanding SMU and SMU Cox alumni who continue to lead with impact across industries:

⭐ Dori Araiza, founder and principal, Dallas Trinity FC (B.S.F.A. ’09)
⭐ Becca Bean, senior vice president, DialCare (MBA ’11)
⭐ Harrison Blair, president and CEO, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce (MBA ’25)
⭐ Andrew Dock, managing director, Bank of America Private Bank (B.B.A. '12)
⭐ Megan Hughes, managing director, Family Office Services, BOK Financial (LL.M. '13)
⭐ Andrew Pieper, senior vice president, Hillwood Communities (B.B.A. ’09)
⭐ Meagan Self, partner, DLA Piper (J.D. '11)
⭐ Kriti Tiwari, managing director, Wealth and Advice Solutions, TIAA (MBA '14)

From entrepreneurs to executives, these leaders exemplify the talent, drive and community impact that define our region and our alumni network. We are honored to celebrate you. 👏