The SMU Cox School of Business stands out as a dynamic hub for aspiring professionals seeking to advance their careers through a well-rounded MBA experience. Located in Dallas, Texas, SMU Cox offers students an enriching educational journey, bolstered by a supportive community, a powerful alumni network, and a strong connection to the local business landscape. In this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students, we hear directly from new members of the SMU Cox community.
But, first, let’s take a look at the class profile for the MBA Class of 2026. Eighty-five students matriculated to be part of the SMU Cox School of Business this fall. Forty-six percent of the class are women and 16 percent identify as underrepresented minorities. Meanwhile, 26 percent of the new class are international. Students’ average undergraduate GPA was 3.56. The new class matriculated with an average of 5 years of work experience. When it came time to take the GMAT, they landed an average score of 712. For those who submitted GRE scores, they earned an average score of 315.
Turning to the students behind the class profile, Deborah Warmate, a former Deloitte audit and assurance professional, sees SMU Cox’s high ROI and Dallas-based network as the ideal environment for launching a strategic finance career. Meanwhile, Gavin Livingston, with a unique background in conservation and nonprofit management, values Cox’s strong finance and real estate programs, which align with his goals in wealth management and real estate development. John Gressett and Marshall Vandermeer echo the impact of the Cox faculty’s real-world expertise and the program’s extensive support for career growth, while Nicole Francis highlights the value of SMU’s mentorship culture and international opportunities through the Global Leadership Program.
In bringing together individuals from diverse professional paths, including engineering, consulting, conservation, and finance, SMU Cox fosters a collaborative learning environment where students are both supported and challenged. Read on for more from the students who contribute to this leading MBA program in the following pages.
