The Hamlet native recently earned her Master’s degree in Adult Education from North Carolina A&T University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. This is impressive, but it wasn’t always a foregone conclusion.
At nearly 40 years old, the grandmother of four ended a 20-plus year hiatus from school and began studying Human Services at Richmond Community College. She was a member of Richmond Senior High’s Class of ‘75.
“In high school, I was an average student,” she said. “I did well, and I enjoyed school, but at that point I wasn’t really focused on continuing my education. After I had children, and I realized the importance of education, that’s when I really started to want to go to college. My youngest son, Maurice, actually graduated high school the same year I graduated from RCC.”
In order to make the leap of faith back to school, however, Smith had to be jostled out of her comfort zone, and that came in the form of something that may have made some people throw up their hands in despair.
“While working as a dietary technician in the school system, I was told that I was not ‘cafeteria material,’” Smith recalled. “Then, I was shocked. Now, I realize they were right. That stunning comment motivated me to enroll at RCC where I began my journey to achieve a higher level of education.”
For Smith, RCC posed some problems, adjusting to using computers and new technologies, but the real adjustments came doing the Internet classes with Gardner-Webb and especially while attending classes on the campus of A&T.
“RCC wasn’t that hard for me to get used to, because it was right here at home and I had classmates who were actually my age,” she said. “When I got up to Gardner-Webb, and the graduate level at A&T, that’s when it really got hard. The regular computer wasn’t that bad, but working with Blackboard and the online classes took a little time and effort, and a lot of discipline.”
Blackboard is a computer program used at many higher learning institutions, almost like a homepage for the student. Using Blackboard students can find assignment, syllabi, grades and student information, but can be difficult to navigate until it’s mastered.
Working in Human Services has continued to challenge her to keep abreast of technology, as well.
“I had to go out and get a Blackberry so I could text people,” she said. “If you want to get the message out to the youth, that’s the way you do it, and tell them to ‘Hit me back.’”
Still, at A&T it was difficult to keep up with 20-year-olds who grew up in the age of personal computing.
“Being on campus with the younger students, it was different,” she said. “It was helpful, because they could keep you up with technology and what’s happening in society, but at the same time, you always feel like you’re behind.”
This feeling would not stop Smith from achieving every goal she set for her career, though, even if she required a little help from some like-minded friends who set up a cooperative effort. They call it their ‘Cohort.’
“Once I committed myself to it, I knew I was going to finish,” she said. “There was no question in my mind at that point. However, working with the cohort really helped me. We studied together, we car-pooled together, really we did everything together. It was very beneficial to have that support.”
Martha Williams was the founder of the cohort. Also a non-traditional 30-something student, she unfortunately has been temporarily sidelined from college by her young son’s battle with cancer.
She said working with Smith in the cohort helped her to develop a deep admiration for Smith, and Smith has been there to support her through the personal issues she’s faced.
“She is very studious, smart and dedicated, all I did was maybe give her some resources,” she said. “Once she set her mind to it, there was no doubt she would achieve it. She’s that type of person.”
On a personal level, Smith’s support of Williams and her family has earned a high compliment. “She’s been an angel on Earth to me,” she said.
Smith also said maintaining an open mind to new ideas facilitated her success.
“Opening my mind allowed me the opportunity to learn skills that enhanced my academic success,” she said. “I became adventurous in my educational studies. I was eager and willing to completely step out of my familiar places and spaces to try different ways and happily gained new and exciting skills.
“Now, I have a desire to increase my knowledge with new information daily. Whether I am watching the news or reading a book, I try to use every moment as a learning moment.”
She could have also lost sight of family through her academic challenges, she admits, but her 11-year-old granddaughter Kalaysia said that didn’t happen.
“She is a good grandmother to talk to,” Kalaysia said. “You can also learn a lot of things from her. She loves everybody from the bottom of her heart!”
All in all, she is satisfied with the choices she made for multiple reasons, not the least of which is the fact she may inspire someone else to persist and achieve their own heart’s desire.
Perhaps in the way Malcolm X’s story of educating himself during his incarceration inspired her to achieve success.
“I’m actually glad I waited, because I was able to be focused and stay disciplined in a way I don’t feel I could’ve then,” Smith said. “I love my job ... These fields allow me to help people, and I hope my initial return to college at near 40 years of age will encourage others to obtain their college degree.
“With prayer discipline and the willingness to achieve, they can obtain an associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree, too. To God be the glory!
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