Unsung Heroes of SMU

A behind-the-scenes look into the staff at SMU that work to make this campus a home.

Learn more about the unsung heroes of SMU and the ways in which they work to better our community by viewing the video below.

The Unsung Heroes of SMU

Southern Methodist University has around 11,000 students on its campus every day. With over 100 undergraduate majors, 85 minors, and graduate programs across various schools, it takes a lot to make SMU a place that its students can call home. From the dining staff to the librarians, it takes 3,126 staff members to create an environment that not only welcomes but celebrates every student. While every member of SMU’s staff is crucial for the success of the student body, not everyone gets the recognition they deserve. One key part of the SMU community is the library system. SMU has seven libraries, and an extensive network of librarians, researchers, archivists, and student volunteers that work hard to make sure our students feel supported and have a safe and inclusive environment to study in. One librarian, Naomi Schemm, has dedicated her career and professional life to pursuing library science and spending her time making sure she creates a proper study space for students. “The thing that motivates me the most is just helping students,” says Schemm. “I think all of us in libraries are in this field because we enjoy helping students be successful. Whether its in their classes or individual personal project. Everybody I’ve met in libraries is here because we want to help students learn to be successful.” The program is designed with students in mind. Everyone in the program is motivated by ensuring students have a good experience as soon as the step into any one of the SMU libraries. There’s a large collection of libraries here at SMU that offer something different for each student. “It provides a variety of settings for students that maybe don’t want to come to the big central library but need a smaller quieter study space,” says Schemm. “Each of the libraries has a different feel for people hanging out and studying.” The library network was created with every student in mind, from business to law students, it prioritizes learning on all levels. Another important feature on SMU’s campus is their dining and food services program. Erika Kertz has been the campus dietitian for TK years. Her goal on campus is to create a healthy environment for all students. College students often have a complicated relationship with food.    “I really want them to eat everyday and to eat well,” says Kertz. When students come to college, it is often the first time they are experiencing total freedom in their relationship with food. They are in control of what they eat, when they eat and how they eat. Kertz recognizes that this can be a time where nutrition falls to the back burner and students forget the importance of taking care of themselves when it comes to food. She has worked hard to help be a support-person when it comes to students navigating this challenging time in their lives. She advocates for students to have access to nutrition information, ingredients and calorie counts. It is important to her that students feel confident that they know what they are eating when they enter the dining spaces on campus. She also works hard to educate students on the importance of eating all three meals, especially breakfast. She believes that college is the perfect time to start healthy habits and she works hard to be a guiding light as the navigate these changes for the first time. The diet and nutrition team at SMU are here to help students have access to the foods they want and need. From the chefs to the dietitians, there is no lack of effort that goes into making sure SMU's dining halls have an abundance of options. Another pivotal aspect of the SMU community are the students who step up to get involved in their community. A select group of students dedicate themselves to helping build their community and supporting their peers. Some students decide to do this through involvement in their residential commons. Becoming a residential assistant, or RA, is a popular way to get more involved on campus as an undergraduate student. While some find this work to be thankless, others find that they thoroughly enjoy taking a more formal role in their dormitory buildings. One student who felt called to join her residential assistant program is Emma Schellhase. Emma is currently a senior at SMU studying business and advertising. When reflecting on her time as an RA at SMU, Schellhase said, “I really enjoyed it. I feel like it made me learn about a bunch of different campus activities, resources and events…that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. It really enhanced the SMU culture that [I] got to experience.” Whether it’s learning how to help homesick students or just being a friendly face in the halls, Schellhase found value in spending her sophomore year giving back to the Mary Hay Peyton Shuttles community. “You’re always thrown into situations where you don’t necessarily know what to do, I was 19 years-old and somehow was the person that people came to when they needed an adult,” said Schellhase.  “[I learned] how to think on my feet and how to guide people in the direction they needed. [These skills] are definitely ones I will take into my career long-term.” Schellhase recently accepted a job offer at Southern Glazers where she will be working as a Leadership Development Program Associate. The skills she has gained throughout her time as an RA will continue to serve her as she enters the workforce and steps into new titles. While being an RA has many benefits and can increase the span of your community, it can also be a thankless position. With long hours, complicated event planning, and lots of moving parts, being an RA isn’t for everyone. It’s often a job that leaves you working hard behind the scenes and not receiving much recognition. “SMU puts a lot of effort into events to make students feel appreciated and have community at [our] school,” said Schellhase “There’s a lot that goes into making SMU feel like a home away from home.” Schellhase is no stranger to the lengths it takes to make the Mustang community the one that it’s students proudly call home. From the staff to the students, every member of this community is pivotal in creating a cohesive and welcoming space where education and passion can be explored. The events that Mary Hay Peyton Shuttles put on are designed to bring together the three commons and give students an opportunity to bond with each other. A key part of Schellhase’s job as an RA was to join in on the event planning and help to create unforgettable memories for her residents. “I love event planning, that’s what I want go into long term,” said Schellhase. “So, [being an RA] gave me a fun little introduction while at SMU.” Overall, Schellhase regards her time as an RA at SMU to be a memorable one. It pushed her out of her comfort zone and gave her skills she will be able to use for the rest of her life, in her career and beyond. The residential assistant program is just one small part of the extensive ways students can get involved and give back to their SMU community. From Student Senate to club leadership positions, there are countless organizations on SMU’s campus that aim to create a better environment for students. Being an RA is one way that undergraduate students can get more involved in their residential community. It can create lifelong friendships, build leadership skills, and foster a welcoming environment for all residents in their commons. There is an abundance of effort behind-the-scenes that goes into making SMU a place where students feel comfortable to live, study, eat and more. From student leaders to librarians and dietitians, the work that goes in is often felt and not seen. As the semester comes to a close, it is important to reflect on all the individuals who have worked to build a community that uplifts every student.

Sources Erika Kertz - ekertz@mail.smu.edu Naomi Schemm - nschemm@mail.smu.edu Emma Schellhase - eschellhase@mail.smu.edu