Gerald Turner, President, Southern Methodist University

In an interview with Invest:, R. Gerald Turner, president of SMU (Southern Methodist University), highlighted the University’s pivot to support the influence of technology, its progress toward achieving Carnegie R1 research status, and the commitment to preparing students for changing industry needs. Turner also emphasized the excitement generated on campus by SMU’s successful entry into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

How is SMU adapting its curriculum to address the growing influence of technology?

One of the most evident trends is the growing influence of technology, particularly AI and advanced computing, on every aspect of our lives. It’s crucial for SMU to ensure that all students, regardless of their field, can enhance their computing skills. Whether they aspire to be data analysts or are engaged in digital humanities, everyone needs to become more technically proficient. We’re working diligently to integrate AI and other technological advancements into our curriculum to reflect these changes. As student interests become increasingly sophisticated each year, we face the ongoing challenge of keeping our educational offerings relevant and up to date.

SMU has set a goal to achieve Carnegie R1 research status by 2025. What key initiatives are in place to reach this milestone?

We embarked on this journey four years ago, and we believe we’ve already met the necessary criteria for R1 status, which is expected to be announced around January 2025. To qualify, a university must produce at least 75 PhDs annually, we’re currently at about 120, and have at least $50 million in sponsored research, which we also exceed. Achieving R1 status communicates the importance of advanced education and research at SMU. We’ve built the Moody Center for Graduate Education, which has significantly increased our doctoral programs. Our research initiatives have focused on data analytics, advanced computing, and supercomputing, with a dedicated Center for Supercomputing. We’ve also recruited faculty with substantial research grants, which further strengthens our position. Our provost, Elizabeth Loboa, has been instrumental in pushing through the elements required for R1 status.

What programs are in place to ensure that students are well-prepared to meet industry needs?

We ensure that our students have ample internship opportunities across various fields. We also have advisory boards, including the Cox Executive Board and the Lyle School of Engineering Executive Board, where we receive direct input from the executives who hire our graduates. These boards have been instrumental in shaping our curriculum, particularly in advanced computing and AI. Maintaining close relationships with leaders in business, engineering, and technology in Dallas allows us to keep our curriculum relevant and aligned with industry needs. This ongoing feedback loop helps us prepare our students to meet the demands of the local job market.

How has SMU’s entry into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) impacted the university?

One of the most exciting developments is our entry into the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) this year. This is our first fall playing in the ACC, and it’s a big deal for SMU. The ACC includes schools like us, Duke and Wake Forest, as well as larger institutions like Florida State and Clemson. We’re thrilled about this move and the opportunities it brings. Our home games this season include matchups against Stanford and Virginia, and we’ll also be traveling to Virginia. If you talk to anyone at SMU, they’ll likely mention the ACC as one of the most exciting things happening at the university right now.

How do you expect the new David B. Miller Quadrangle to influence the student community, culture, and engagement?

We’ve had the opportunity to completely revamp this space where the Cox School of Business operates, which we believe will significantly enhance the program. Cox is one of the top-ranked business schools in the country and this region, and we’re proud of it. The renovation and expansion of the facility provide incredible opportunities, not just for our students, but also for those in other schools and programs. The $140 million investment into these existing buildings, along with the addition of four connecting structures, has really transformed the space. We believe the David B. Miller Business Quadrangle will be a tremendous enhancement, helping us attract and recruit outstanding individuals to Cox.

What impact do you anticipate from the Rees-Jones Library of the American West?

We’re fortunate to have the DeGolyer Library, one of the finest in several areas, particularly the American West. When combined with the Rees-Jones collection, these two will create the third-largest collection of outstanding materials on the American West, covering the area from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. While Berkeley and Yale have slightly larger collections, we’re catching up. This library won’t just house the Rees-Jones and DeGolyer materials; it will also serve as a general study space for all students. The Clements Center for Southwest Studies, housed in our history department, will benefit greatly from this collection, further enhancing its academic program.

What strategies are you implementing to attract and retain both students and faculty considering the evolving demographics?

The changing demographics of Dallas, Texas, and the country require universities to be aware of who their student body will be, along with their backgrounds and interests. We’ve been working to build stronger relationships with various business groups in the Greater Dallas area. This year, about 18% of our first-year class is Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, or African American. Overall, 35% of the class comes from groups that were previously not in the majority, although now, the majority group in Texas is Hispanic. It’s crucial for schools to ensure that all students feel comfortable and invested in their university experience. At SMU, we emphasize that everyone, regardless of background, has an equal stake in the university, and we strive to make sure that all prospective students know they will be welcomed and find programs that interest them.

How does the waived application fee initiative fit into your broader strategy to increase diversity and inclusion?

For some students, the application fee was a financial barrier, so we initially waived it for Pell Grant-eligible students. However, rather than determining who qualifies based on specific criteria, we decided to remove the fee for everyone as an experiment, like our decision to eliminate standardized test requirements. This indefinite removal has already helped increase the diversity of our student body, and we believe that eliminating the application fee will further support students who might otherwise be deterred by the cost of applying.

How is SMU ensuring that future fundraising efforts continue to support the university’s growth and development?

We launched the Ignited Campaign in 2021, which will run through 2028 with a goal of $1.5 billion. We’ve already reached $1.3 billion. This campaign focuses on several key areas: construction, academic programs, faculty positions, and scholarships. As we enter the final

years of the campaign, we’re placing particular emphasis on scholarships. As we discussed, increasing diversity, racial, ethnic, religious, and economic, is crucial. We want to ensure that any student with the potential ot excel at SMU has the financial means to do so.

How do you perceive the overall sentiment toward higher education in Texas?

While many regions across the country face challenges with enrollment and interest in higher education, Texas, Florida, and parts of the Southwest are exceptions. At SMU, we work hard to align ourselves with the dynamism of Dallas. We actively promote Dallas, highlighting the abundant opportunities here, especially in comparison to other regions. About 55% to 60% of our students come from out of state, and a significant portion of them choose to stay in Dallas after graduation. One of the key reasons students and their families choose SMU is not just for the university, but for its location in Dallas. They recognize the bright future and numerous opportunities here. We emphasize and promote the vibrant, can-do attitude of the Dallas business community and the region’s educational institutions, which resonates with prospective students and their families.

What is your outlook for the higher education sector in North Texas and SMU over the next few years?

North Texas continues to experience significant population growth, adding around 100,000 people each year. This growth creates a pressing need for higher education to keep pace, as the influx is driven by job opportunities, which in turn are supported by businesses seeking talented workers. At SMU, we’re committed to expanding our capacity to meet this growing demand. While we’ve maintained a steady enrollment for years, we’re now planning to gradually increase it to reflect the region’s rapid growth. Unlike state schools, which often can’t limit their numbers, private institutions like SMU, TCU, and Baylor have more flexibility, but even we are recognizing the need to expand in response to North Texas’s dynamic growth.