Jeffrey Smith
Associate Director of Admissions
St.Mary's College of Maryland (MD)
How long have you been in admissions/college
counseling?
28 years (ever since I graduated college in June 1986;
got first job in August 1986).
How did you get started in college
counseling/admissions?
Well, I majored in Business Administration-Marketing
and answered a 'sales' job in the newspaper.
It was at Goldey-Beacom College, to be an Admissions Sales Representative.
I figured that since I had just left the college environment it might be an
interesting job. That and the parents getting on me to start paying off the
school loans...
What's your favorite admissions/counseling memory?
My favorite day of the year is the date of
graduation. To see parents come up to
you with tears in their eyes thankful that you took the time to work with their
children (and them) through this process.
It's the culmination of a job well done.
I also was very honored to be a part of the opening ceremony when NACAC
had its annual conference in Baltimore, MD.
To look out and see 5,000+ of your colleagues and friends and welcome
them to your neck of the woods was pretty cool as well.
What advice would you give to someone looking to
pursue leadership in PCACAC and/or NACAC?
I've had tremendous opportunities being involved with
the leadership of PCACAC & NACAC.
You never think that you can do what the likes of Audrey Hill, Evelyn
White, Joe Monte, etc., have done in and for this profession. The best advice I can give for someone who
wants to get involve is to track down the greats in this profession and talk to
them. Tell them, show them your
interest, have them put you in touch with others and don't stop connecting with
people. This profession is all about the
connections and relationships that we make with each other. And remember it is all about that student and
parent we work for; to figure out what is best for them and their future.
If not working in admissions/college counseling, what
else could you see yourself pursuing?
Retail sales...(It's where I met my wife)...gotta like
the holiday sales jobs!
What's one thing that most people don't know about
you?
I'm 50 years old (just like PCACAC).
What's a current trend or future issue you're
passionate about right now? And why?
Access to education is really important to me. Probably has been for a while. I got involved through the Human Relations
Committee through PCACAC, and then moved to the NACAC Inclusion Access and
Success national committee and opportunities to speak specifically about not
forgetting opportunities for ALL students to achieve their higher education
goals.
*** To Celebrate Potomac Chesapeake's 50th Conference Anniversary, we're highlighting some of our current members. Each week until the conference at The Homestead in Spring 2015, a new member will be posted. Interested in participating? Email Aundra Weissert at aweissert2@washcoll.edu to get started.***
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