being named the institution\u2019s first female African American president<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe Maryville program \u201cwas everything that they advertised it to be,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was relevant. It was rigorous, and it was reflective. It allowed me to reflect on my previous career as a social worker and public health practitioner, so I could utilize skills I already had to work in a career in higher ed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collins Smith, a St. Louis native and graduate of St. Louis Public Schools, has been serving as interim president at Harris-Stowe since last June, after filling jobs ranging from project coordinator in the office of counseling services to provost and vice president for academic affairs. She also is co-principal investigator of a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to strengthen STEM education in Missouri.<\/p>\n
That discipline has been a primary focus for her, particularly for minority students. She wants to make sure that students who may not be able to afford a larger university can still become proficient in science, technology, engineering and math.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn August, Governor Parson signed a bill for Harris-Stowe to have a statewide mission in STEM,\u201d she said. \u201cThat aligns with our overall mission to provide an accessible, high-quality and diverse education for the underserved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fulfilling that mission will help the university live up to its potential, Collins Smith said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur university is a jewel in the St. Louis crown,\u201d she added, \u201cand being the first female African American president at Harris-Stowe, I want to be a living example for Black and brown girls, letting them know that their dreams are possible. When the going gets tough, they can take a moment to reflect on my trajectory \u2014 and how I worked my way up the ranks to get to the place where I am today \u2014 to know they can do it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her time at Maryville definitely helped her reach the president\u2019s office, Collins Smith said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoyed my experience in the Maryville doctoral program so much that I\u2019ve probably personally recruited someone into every cohort after me,\u201d she said. \u201cI have been an advocate for the Maryville doctoral program even with colleagues in the K-12 system, helping them to decide if the higher ed track is for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collins Smith\u2019s agenda for her tenure as president of Harris-Stowe is an ambitious one: increased enrollment, a few construction projects, new partnerships and new relationships, an established foundation, fundraising and better involvement of alumni engagement. \u201cIt\u2019s a big list,\u201d she said, \u201cbut it\u2019s doable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Did her training at Maryville specifically address the challenges at a historically Black college? Collins Smith replied no and quickly came up with a plan to remedy the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a good question,\u201d she said, \u201cand it\u2019s probably something I should talk to the Dean for the School of Education about.\u201d Stay tuned.<\/p>\n