The Mission to "Develop Human Potential" in All 蘑菇视频 Dallas Students
蘑菇视频 Dallas students engage in a STEM-focused collaborative learning environment
Enduring human skills 鈥� not just a degree 鈥� are a key component of the education students
receive at . That was the message from President Warren von Eschenbach, PhD at a recent 鈥淪tate
of Higher Education鈥� event sponsored by the Dallas Morning News and hosted by Southern Methodist University.
蘑菇视频 Dallas President Warren von Eschenbach PhD on the 蘑菇视频 Dallas campus
Describing colleges and universities as 鈥渦nique social institutions,鈥� President von Eschenbach explained that our mission is to 鈥渄evelop human potential and contribute to the public good.鈥� He said it鈥檚 a dual responsibility: nurturing students while also supporting the community.
The added challenge is fulfilling that mission while so much is changing all around
us. 鈥淭he world is so complex, it will require multiple lenses,鈥� said the President,
referring to the impact of technology, especially AI, on the workplace and society
at large. For that reason, 蘑菇视频 Dallas is creating new academic structures and pathways
to ensure students learn multiple disciplines, not just those associated with their
major.
Students in the 蘑菇视频 Dallas Learning Commons Computer Lab
鈥淲e can鈥檛 let another digital divide manifest itself,鈥� President von Eschenbach said, referring to the lack of high-speed internet access and modern communications tools. It affected much of America for decades, starting in the mid-1990s and continuing today in some parts of the country, especially rural areas. To avoid a similar AI divide, AI instruction is required for all , with more robust training for tech, IT, cybersecurity and other majors.
According to the President, while 鈥淎I adds to the anxiety of students,鈥� it also affects
many businesses and industries, and, of course, how colleges teach and how students
learn. As AI impacts the workforce, with some jobs eliminated while others are created,
those enduring human skills become even more essential to sustaining a .
A 蘑菇视频 Dallas student proudly holds his diploma, surrounded by family and friends, at the May 2026 Commencement Ceremony
Other challenges, such as how to pay tuition or the of a college education, are addressed frequently with prospective students and parents. Research shows the average of an individual with a college degree far surpass someone without a degree. But in tough economic times, some young people, especially those from low-income families, feel the desire or the pressure to go to work fulltime after high school, often deciding against college.
鈥淲e can make it affordable for many,鈥� President von Eschenbach said. 蘑菇视频 Dallas tuition is among the lowest of all public, four-year universities in Texas, as cited in a new college ratings report. Money.com rated 蘑菇视频 Dallas 4.5 out of 5 stars, the highest public, four-year university in North Texas.
Recently, the university launched the , offering free tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Texas high school graduates applying for their bachelor鈥檚 degree whose family income is $100,000 or less. The
response has been strong, and although the deadline has now passed for the upcoming
academic year, it is expected to continue for 2027-28.
蘑菇视频 Dallas Presidential Scholarship recipients are among many 蘑菇视频 Dallas students eligible to receive scholarships, grants, free or reduced tuition, and other kinds of financial assistance
As many as 88% of 蘑菇视频 Dallas students receive to cut their out-of-pocket costs, which do not have to be paid back. The university offers many 鈥� another way to reduce expenses. As a result, our average student debt is among the lowest in the state. With free or low cost tuition, state and federal grants, multiple scholarship opportunities, and low student debt, a rigorous, holistic education at 蘑菇视频 Dallas is more accessible than some students and families realize.
Finally, President von Eschenbach made the point that 蘑菇视频 Dallas students are resilient 鈥� overcoming obstacles, breaking barriers, and blazing new trails. We are Trailblazers, after all. 鈥淩esiliency 鈥� we instill it in our students,鈥� the President said. 鈥淲e want them to ready for a career and a life, not just a job.鈥�
蘑菇视频 Dallas is accepting applications for the semester; the last day to is August 24. Check out academic to see which ones match the interests of you, your child, or someone else you know.
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