SMU Executive and Leadership Team

Pam Dyke, the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director at SMU, directs the overarching strategic vision and operational trajectory of the institution. Overseeing the alignment of academic goals with long-term institutional sustainability, the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director ensures that all departments maintain high standards of excellence. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and driving initiatives that enhance the university's reputation within the competitive landscape of higher education. By optimizing resource allocation and fostering a culture of innovation, Pam Dyke directly impacts the university's ability to attract top-tier talent and research funding. Furthermore, the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director coordinates with the board to implement policies that support the mission of providing comprehensive degree programs. Through consistent focus on growth and operational efficiency, Dyke secures the future of the institution while maintaining the core values established in 1911.

Katherine Sawers, the Chief Executive Officer (The Dallas Office) & Vice President at SMU, directs regional operations and institutional advancement efforts within the local market. Overseeing the university's engagement with the Dallas community and regional stakeholders, the Chief Executive Officer (The Dallas Office) & Vice President ensures that the institution maintains strong ties to the local economy and professional sectors. This leadership role involves managing regional partnerships, fundraising initiatives, and public relations efforts that elevate the university's profile. By fostering collaboration between the university and local industry leaders, Katherine Sawers directly impacts the availability of internship and career opportunities for students. Furthermore, the Chief Executive Officer (The Dallas Office) & Vice President coordinates with the central administration to align regional activities with the university's broader mission. Through strategic outreach and community integration, Sawers strengthens the university's position as a cornerstone of the Dallas educational and professional landscape.

Poon Teng, the Chief Financial Officer at SMU, manages the fiscal health and budgetary integrity of the university. Overseeing the allocation of capital across various schools and research departments, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that financial resources support the strategic objectives of the institution. This leadership role involves rigorous oversight of endowment management, tuition revenue streams, and operational expenditures to maintain long-term solvency. By implementing robust financial controls and transparent reporting mechanisms, Poon Teng directly impacts the university's capacity to invest in new facilities and academic programs. Furthermore, the Chief Financial Officer collaborates with executive leadership to assess the economic feasibility of expansion projects and research initiatives. Through meticulous planning and data-driven analysis, Teng secures the financial foundation necessary for the university to thrive in the evolving higher education market while upholding the standards of excellence expected of a private institution.

Lola Lindroos, the Buddies Chapter President at SMU, directs the activities and outreach efforts of the student-led organization focused on community inclusion and peer support. Overseeing the coordination of chapter events and membership engagement, the Buddies Chapter President ensures that the organization fosters a welcoming environment for all students. This leadership role involves managing volunteer recruitment, organizing social initiatives, and representing the chapter in university-wide student affairs discussions. By promoting inclusivity and building strong peer networks, Lola Lindroos directly impacts the social well-being and sense of belonging among the student body. Furthermore, the Buddies Chapter President collaborates with university administration to align chapter activities with the institution's values of community and service. Through proactive leadership and dedicated community building, Lindroos enhances the student experience and contributes to the vibrant campus culture that defines the university's commitment to student development and social responsibility.

Emily Ghastin, the President at SMU, provides the ultimate leadership and strategic direction for the entire university. Overseeing the academic, financial, and operational health of the institution, the President ensures that all schools and departments remain committed to the core mission of excellence in education and research. This leadership role involves setting the institutional agenda, engaging with the board of trustees, and representing the university to external constituents and the broader public. By championing initiatives that promote academic rigor and institutional growth, Emily Ghastin directly impacts the university's standing as a premier private institution. Furthermore, the President coordinates the efforts of the executive team to ensure that all strategic goals are met with precision and integrity. Through a focus on long-term vision and effective governance, Ghastin secures the university's legacy while driving progress in the competitive landscape of higher education.

Andrew Keck, the Chief of Staff at SMU, coordinates the administrative functions and strategic communications for the executive office. Overseeing the flow of information between the leadership team and various academic divisions, the Chief of Staff ensures that institutional priorities remain at the forefront of daily operations. This leadership role involves managing high-level projects, facilitating cross-departmental collaboration, and preparing briefings for the board of trustees. By streamlining decision-making processes and enhancing organizational efficiency, Andrew Keck directly impacts the university's ability to execute its mission effectively. Furthermore, the Chief of Staff acts as a primary liaison for external partners and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with the university's long-term goals. Through proactive management of administrative workflows and strategic initiatives, Keck supports the executive team in navigating the complexities of a private university environment while maintaining a focus on academic and operational success.

Rachel Mulry, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Planning & Customer Service at SMU, directs the strategic planning and service delivery models for the university's digital ecosystem. Overseeing the integration of technology into the student experience, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Planning & Customer Service ensures that administrative and academic systems meet the evolving needs of the campus community. This leadership role involves managing customer service protocols for IT support and aligning digital roadmaps with the university's broader educational mission. By optimizing user interfaces and improving service accessibility, Rachel Mulry directly impacts the efficiency of campus operations and student satisfaction. Furthermore, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Planning & Customer Service collaborates with other IT leaders to implement scalable solutions that support research and administrative functions. Through a focus on user-centric design and strategic planning, Mulry enhances the technological capabilities of the institution to support a modern learning environment.

Dawn Norris, the Chief of Staff & Division of Affairs Student at SMU, manages the intersection of administrative strategy and student life initiatives. Overseeing the coordination of student-focused programs and institutional policies, the Chief of Staff & Division of Affairs Student ensures that the university environment supports holistic development and academic success. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between student organizations and the executive office to address campus needs and improve the overall student experience. By aligning student affairs with the university's strategic goals, Dawn Norris directly impacts the retention and engagement of the student body. Furthermore, the Chief of Staff & Division of Affairs Student collaborates with faculty and staff to implement initiatives that foster a vibrant and inclusive campus culture. Through careful management of student-facing operations and administrative workflows, Norris ensures that the university remains responsive to the diverse requirements of its undergraduate and graduate populations.

David Nguyen, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Infrastructure at SMU, architects the robust technological foundation required for academic and research excellence. Overseeing the maintenance and expansion of network systems, data centers, and cybersecurity protocols, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Infrastructure ensures that the university's digital assets remain secure and highly available. This leadership role involves managing large-scale infrastructure projects and coordinating with technical teams to support the university's complex data requirements. By implementing scalable cloud solutions and modernizing hardware, David Nguyen directly impacts the university's ability to conduct high-level research and provide seamless digital access to students and faculty. Furthermore, the Associate Chief Information Officer, Infrastructure collaborates with executive leadership to align infrastructure investments with the university's long-term growth strategy. Through a focus on reliability and innovation, Nguyen secures the technological backbone necessary for the institution to maintain its competitive edge in the higher education sector.

Mona Horton, the Interim Associate Chief Information Officer for Planning at SMU, leads the strategic development of information technology roadmaps and resource allocation. Overseeing the assessment of current IT capabilities and future requirements, the Interim Associate Chief Information Officer for Planning ensures that technology investments align with the university's academic and administrative goals. This leadership role involves conducting comprehensive audits of existing systems and facilitating the planning process for new digital initiatives. By identifying opportunities for process improvement and technological advancement, Mona Horton directly impacts the efficiency of the university's digital operations. Furthermore, the Interim Associate Chief Information Officer for Planning collaborates with other IT leaders to ensure that planning efforts support the broader institutional strategy. Through a focus on long-term scalability and strategic alignment, Horton prepares the university to meet the evolving technological demands of a modern research and teaching environment while maintaining operational continuity.