Juliana Lu
Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business
“Singer and musician in business professional. Still using my voice, but on a different stage!”
Fun fact about yourself: I’m an aspiring polyglot with fluency in English and French, conversational skills in Chinese, and the ability to read and write in Japanese and Korean.
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
High School: The Hockaday School
Major: Finance BBA, Psychology BA
Minor: French, Public Policy & International Affairs
Favorite Business Course: FINA 4332 – Asset and Wealth Management
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
Leadership/Extracurricular Activities
SMU Board of Trustees, Student Representative to the Finance and Audit Committees
Alpha Chi Omega (Iota Sigma Chapter), Vice President of Finance
Belle Tones A Capella, President
Chinese Student Association, Treasurer
EnCap & LCM Group Alternative Asset Center
SMU-in-France Study Abroad
Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity (co-ed professional business fraternity)
Mentorship
Cox Career Accelerator Program, Mentor
Women’s Innovative Network, Mentor
SMU Connect Program, Mentor
Panhellenic Council, Rho Gamma
Awards and Honors
NexPoint Tower Scholar
Robert S. Hyer Society
BBA Scholar
SMU Distinguished Scholar
University Honors Program
Where have you interned during your college career?
Saville CPAs & Advisors – Dallas, TX – Employee Engagement and Experience Intern
Gest’Assur/Gest’Expert – Aix-en-Provence, France – Analyst Intern
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. – Dallas, TX –Private Bank Summer Analyst
George W. Bush Institute – Dallas, TX – Global Policy Research Fellow
Where will you be working after graduation? J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. – Dallas, TX – Private Bank Analyst
Who is your favorite business professor? Anyone who has taken a class with Professor Steve Denson knows that he is a fantastic mentor. I’ve taken courses with fabulous professors across the university, but Professor Denson stands out in particular because of his genuine love for teaching – a passion I could feel in his Negotiations class which I took in the spring of my sophomore year. He has a sharp eye for analyzing minute details, an infectious personality that motivates students, the most fascinating stories, and a talent for bringing people together, a skill he used to connect me with 30 new friends that I could say hi to in the hallways. The fact that successful alumni who had taken his class decades before me were willing to come back to lecture or sit in on our negotiations speaks volumes on the kind of professor he is and the impact he makes on the community. What I’m most grateful for, however, is how Professor Denson helped me find my own passion and connected me to what I’ll pursue after graduation. He has certainly changed my SMU experience for the better!
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The best learning comes from applying your knowledge to spaces outside the classroom. Whether it’s talking about your skills in an interview, saving money to buy a new apartment, or working together with a team, a business education offers strong real-world connections that are easy to spot if you look in the right places. Business trained me to see beyond rubrics and memorization toward genuine understanding and action which, in turn, made the learning easier and more natural. Shifting your mindset from merely absorbing information to embracing it is a valuable tool that will help you not just in your business studies but in all areas of learning.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? There are few instances in which you’re allowed to be selfish – choosing your college experience is certainly one of them. The best part about studying business is that there are so many paths to explore and, through them, many opportunities to discover what piques your interest. Four years is too short to follow in the footsteps of others because it seems like the best “business” decision – keep your values constant and pursue the things that excite you. No matter how niche your interests become, you won’t be alone.
Even more, the ones who share that same flame will be the ones who matter the most, the ones who stick with you, and the ones who support you through your journey. The most successful peers I’ve had the pleasure of meeting were not the ones who compromised their integrity to fit a mold – they carved out their own path to success by being authentically themselves.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? When I first came to campus, my biggest fear was making a fool of myself. I didn’t want to give the wrong answer or make the wrong decision in front of my new friends because the risk of failure was petrifying. As a new student in a class of thousands, it was easy to dread messing up in my first year, but if I could go back, I’d tell her that being new on campus is the best time to be bold and take risks. I gained some of the best learning from taking leaps of faith, whether in new organizations, at career fairs, or at campus-wide events.
A professor once told me that being a student is one of the best positions in the world because of the limitless learning potential and the freedom to make mistakes in a controlled environment. It’s scary in the beginning to know how to put yourself out there, but everyone around you is in the same position. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, and make the most of your first year!
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? Due to a growing interest throughout SMU in exploring its capabilities, I’ve seen many of my SMU Cox professors integrating elements of AI into their curriculum. Learning about the AI industry, understanding the limitations of using certain tools, and maintaining ethical standards have grown in importance in many of my courses. At the same time, in some advanced courses, the Cox School has partnered with vendors to pilot tools for students, allowing them hands-on experience with using AI to generate insights and analyze data.
Inspired by these initiatives, I started experimenting with LLMs and other forms of Generative AI to see how my peers and I could use it in our daily lives. On one hand, our ability to think critically and articulate arguments is a valuable gift that AI cannot compete with and should not aim to replace. This fact, however, can exist alongside the idea that AI can have a positive impact on our development by enhancing the way we tackle work. From performing baseline research to organizing notes to quizzing concepts you learned in class, AI can increase productivity and help us focus on the tasks that matter most to us. The growth in technology has challenged me to find creative ways to integrate digital tools into my learning, so I look forward to seeing how SMU Cox takes advantage of these opportunities.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Part of what makes SMU so special is that it prioritizes the student voice when guiding policy for the university, and it does so by allowing select members of our class to sit with the Board of Trustees. This past year, I was entrusted with that opportunity as the Student Representative to SMU’s Board of Trustees Finance & Audit Committees – a role that has given me a new appreciation for higher education governance and strategic planning.
During the year, I sat in four Finance and two Audit committee meetings where we forecasted our goals for the next few years and budgeted for their success. In total, I met over 50 people across the president’s executive council, staff, faculty, and members of the Board of Trustees and listened to their big ideas on how to elevate SMU to the next level. What made this position particularly meaningful, however, was not only learning about decision-making processes and allocating funds, but also understanding the impact I could achieve. Being the only student in the room demonstrated to me that anyone – no matter their position – has the capacity to make a difference. It’s a powerful reminder that I look forward to carrying with me and hopefully inspiring in others too.
Which classmate do you most admire? Out of the many amazing and impressive peers I’ve had the privilege of learning alongside at SMU Cox, Denise Rodriguez remains one of my closest friends who I respect and admire greatly. We’ve known each other since freshman year when we met at a football game. Since then, I’ve seen her lead and inspire those around her.
First, she has never shied away from a challenge and manages to find balance in all she does. With two difficult majors, administrative responsibilities in a variety of campus organizations, full courseloads, and an internship during the semester, she commits herself to every involvement and is constantly seeking ways to enhance her learning. Second, her desire to help others and show up for her friends makes her someone you always want to have in your corner. You could ask her to break down a concept you don’t understand, and she’d be ready to stay up late with you with her page full of notes to explain it. Finally, her humility is astounding. She is one of the most brilliant students I know with an impressive resume of experiences to back it up, but you would never know it unless you asked her directly. Through her authenticity and compassion, Denise inspires me every day to be my best self, and I feel so lucky to have found such a wonderful friend in her.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? If you’ve ever attended a campus event, ceremony, or a Belle Tones a capella concert (where I am taking part), chances are you’ve met my incredible mom. She is my biggest mentor, inspiration, and cheerleader all at the same time. If not for her, I would not even be half the person I am today. Throughout my life, I’ve watched her overcome some of the toughest challenges that life can throw at you with an indomitable spirit and unwavering determination to persevere. But it’s not just her strength in troubling times that I admire; it’s the valuable lessons she has imparted to me that have led me to where I am.
For one, she never settles for less than her best, instilling within me the principles of discipline, diligence, and responsibility which have guided me toward developing a strong work ethic. She also has a voracious appetite for information, always keeping herself up to date on current events and embracing the mindset of a lifelong learner. Most importantly, however, she leads with passion and kindness and never fails to recognize those who have helped her in her life. One of the biggest lessons I learned from her was to find the joy in every situation and keep gratitude at your core – even a simple thank you can go a long way. Thus, in the spirit of thankfulness, I dedicate this honor to her because of the outsized impact she’s had on me. Her zest for life and unconditional love are what I will undoubtedly carry with me into this next chapter of life and beyond.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
1) My academic journey was made possible through invaluable mentors and generous scholarships. Someday, I would love to gain enough experience to be able to give back to SMU and the Cox School by being a guest lecturer, helping with recruitment, starting job pipelines, or providing for a in French and Public Policy/International Affairs, I am a firm believer in the importance and value of developing a global mindset. While I don’t know when, I would love to work internationally – maybe even for a Think Tank – to apply my grasp of current events and politics to global markets!
2) Since I minor in French and Public Policy/International Affairs, I am a firm believer in the importance and value of developing a global mindset. While I don’t know when, I would love to work internationally – maybe even for a Think Tank – to apply my grasp of current events and politics to global markets!
What made Juliana such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?
“Juliana Lu has been an extraordinary presence in the Class of 2026 — a student whose intellect, composure, and heart have elevated every community she has touched at SMU.
What distinguishes Juliana most is her rare ability to operate fluently in multiple worlds. But the term “well-rounded” doesn’t do her justice. She sings, she speaks five languages, she’s a finance wizard, and one of our top student leaders! Whether engaging in sophisticated discussions in her finance courses, contributing meaningfully to SMU’s Board of Trustees Finance and Audit Committees, or synthesizing policy research at the George W. Bush Institute, she brings a level of preparation and insight rarely seen from an undergraduate student. And when she’s done with all that, she is the President of SMU wonderful A Capella groups where she gets to shine with her love of music.
Her leadership record is equally exceptional. Serving as Student Representative to the SMU Board of Trustees is a responsibility for only our best undergraduates. Juliana carried it with professionalism and maturity well beyond her years. At the same time, she served her fellow students with leadership positions in many SMU and Cox-specific student organizations. Like any gifted musician, Juliana understands that true leadership is not a solo performance, it is about creating harmony and elevating the entire ensemble. Across mentoring programs, cultural organizations, and academic centers, she has invested deeply in others — not for recognition, but because she genuinely believes that elevating others is the best path forward.
Juliana does not chase titles; she pursues impact. Her intellectual curiosity is matched by a grounded sense of gratitude and purpose. When she starts at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. after graduation, she will bring not only technical skill, but global awareness, ethical judgment, and a sincere commitment to service.
The Cox School of Business and SMU are better because Juliana Lu was here. She represents the very best of this class: principled, accomplished, globally minded, and deeply invested in lifting others alongside her. As she transitions to the next stage in life, the entire Cox School gives her a standing ovation for a wonderful performance.”
Jim Bryan
Associate Dean, BBA Program
Chief of Staff, Office of the Dean
SMU, Cox School of Business
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