After the position opened for a new director of Academic Success, a new candidate has stepped into the role, ready to assist students.
Earlier this month, the university welcomed Erin Smith as the newest associate director of Academic Success.
Smith is a 2024 graduate of Ohio University, where she acquired a degree in Adolescence to Youth Adult Integrative Language and received a “Teaching English as a Foreign Language” certification from an online program.
Most recently, she worked at Heidelberg University as an academic coaching coordinator in a team with nine other coaches.
During her time there, Smith had many accomplishments in her position from her activity, which included reorganizing the program as a whole, creating a digital resource library, and hosting events during the university’s finals week.
Even before her work at Heidelberg University, Smith also held the position of lead academic coach at Ohio University. She worked with a group of twenty-seven students under the College Reading & Learning Association guidelines.
And finally, Smith has found her way to the university as the new associate director of Academic Success. And for that, she had someone to thank for referring the job opening to her.
“It was my former boss at Ohio University, a former mentor, so that already piqued interest,” Smith said. “I’m in an organization called the Heartland College Learning Center Association … actually, Rachel [Mace] is a part of it as well. That was kind of the connection there.”
Right from the beginning, Smith felt like the position was perfect for her. “Looking into [the university] a little more while prepping for the interviews, I definitely feel like I really connected. There was a lot of collaborative talk within the mission and working with students and helping them grow, which is something I find really important.” Smith said.
Even with her extensive experience in academic fields, Smith’s experience in her position now still brings a newfound sense of surprise and belonging. But her focus has always been on the students she can help.
“This is a little bit different than what a lot of my previous roles have been because I have a really, really deep background in academic coaching … so [when] working with those students, I know what they feel,” Smith said. “[Students] come in so open to the experience of college, which is really exciting.”
Smith believes in open communication between the office and students, as well as the teamwork that can be achieved between both.
“What I’m passionate about is working with students and helping to see them grow … If they’re concerned about something, we’re a great office to come talk to,” Smith said.
This can also be said for her new coworkers, too, as Smith mentioned in the interview: “I think some things I’m excited to have is the opportunity to work on different projects and meet different coworkers. All of them are working on really cool stuff here.”
Smith’s office is now stationed inside of the second floor of Blackmore Library in room 211. She is ready and looking forward to meeting and working with her first group of students.
